We have had many clients enquiring about digital fingerprints for police clearances. Unfortunately, SA police clearance applications still rely on traditional (ink) fingerprints. There is also no way around this system since SAPS does not accept digital scans of fingerprints.
There are many reasons why South Africans (and any person that visited South Africa) might need a Police Clearance Certificate from South Africa. These certificates are issued by the Criminal Records Center (CRC), a division of the South African Police Services. They indicate whether or not a person does or does not have a criminal record in South Africa.
Unlike many other countries, South Africa’s CRC still requires applicants to have their fingerprints taken in ink on the original application form. Although the fingerprints are digitized once the CRC processes them, fingerprints may under no circumstances be supplied in scanned format when applying for a police clearance certificate.
SAPS Police Clearance Certificate fingerprint tips
Click here to download the South African Police Clearance Application Form.
The Internet is a wonderful place to find information, but it can also be very misleading. Many rumours are flying around the Internet stating that digital fingerprints for South African police clearances are an option. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. The only time you can use a digital scan of your fingerprints is for a background check (using the AFISwitch system), which is not the same as a SAPS police clearance certificate. Official police clearance certificates issued by the CRC contain full details of any convictions that a person may have against their name. This certificate can only be issued if the applicant completes an application form and has their fingerprints taken in ink.
A stamp and signature must verify the applicant’s fingerprints. Did you know that it is not mandatory to have your fingerprints taken at a consulate or mission abroad? If you are applying for an SA police clearance from abroad, you can really use anyone to confirm your fingerprints. Any person can authenticate your fingerprints as long as they have a stamp and valid signature. Even a school principal can authenticate your fingerprints.
Important sections on the police clearance application form
Section four of the police clearance application form is reserved for an official to validate the authenticity of the fingerprints. Generally, this is the area where the police officer on duty stamps and signs the form if you take your fingerprints at a police station in South Africa.
Section six on the application form is where your fingerprints go. It is important to do this correctly. When taking your fingerprints, it is imperative to avoid smudging any of the prints. You must have prints of all 10 fingers taken, and don’t forget about the palm print or that you need to roll your fingers.
What other documents do I need?
To assist you with obtaining your police clearance certificate, you must provide us with the following:
– Couriered Application Form – Since the CRC does not accept scanned fingerprint forms, applicants must complete the police clearance application form, have their fingerprints taken in ink, and courier the original application form to us.
– A copy of your South African ID or passport – If you are a South African applying for a police clearance certificate, we will need a copy of your South African ID document. If you are not South African, please include a copy of your current passport.
Please refrain from sending any original documents, aside from the original fingerprinted police clearance application form and an ID or passport copy.
Need assistance with SAPS Police Clearance Certificate fingerprints?
Apostil.co.za does not offer a fingerprinting service for police clearance certificates, since this requires the person to be present. If you need an SA police clearance from New Zealand, for example, the best option is to take your own fingerprints. Always have them authenticated by an official that can stamp and sign the application form.
Once you have completed the application form, simply courier the original form to us, and we will submit the application at the CRC on your behalf. We can also have your police clearance certificate apostilled or attested if need be.
Get in touch with Apostil.co.za right now if you need to obtain your SA police clearance from Australia or any other country. We also assist clients from within South Africa in the fastest time possible. Civilians cannot directly submit their applications to the CRC. As a registered courier of the CRC, Apostil.co.za can help you obtain your documents in the fastest time.