South Africa
South Africa Criminal Records: Police Clearance and Expungement (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited July 23, 2026). · 4 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
South Africa's criminal records sit with the SAPS Criminal Record Centre, and most readers arrive at this topic needing one of two things: proof of what is currently on their record, or removal of an old conviction from it. This section covers both.
Information last verified on 23 July 2026. This page provides general legal information about South African law and does not constitute legal advice in an individual case.
What Counts as a Criminal Record in South Africa
South Africa's Criminal Record Centre, part of Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR and CSM) within the South African Police Service, keeps the central database of criminal convictions recorded against a person's fingerprints. There is no separate public register a person can search directly. Instead, the record is accessed through the documents SAPS and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development issue about it, principally the Police Clearance Certificate and, for an old conviction, an application for expungement.
Police Clearance Certificate: For Work, a Visa or Emigration
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is the document most employers, visa offices, professional bodies and immigration authorities ask for. It states whether any criminal convictions have been recorded against the applicant, based on their fingerprints. Applying requires a set of fingerprints taken at a police station on form SAPS 91(a), a certified copy of the applicant's ID or passport, and the R190 fee. There is no online application, only an online status enquiry once a certificate has been lodged.
See the full Police Clearance Certificate guide for the fee, the turnaround time, and how to apply from outside South Africa.
Expungement: Clearing an Old Conviction
Expungement is a separate process that removes a qualifying old conviction from the record altogether, under section 271B of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. It is available once 10 years have passed since the conviction, provided the sentence imposed falls within a defined list. Most fines, wholly suspended imprisonment and similar sentences qualify; direct, unsuspended imprisonment without the option of a fine does not. The application to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is free of charge.
See the full criminal record expungement guide for the eligibility list, the application process and how long it takes, or use the expungement eligibility checker to work through your own situation.
Which One Do You Need?
A PCC and expungement answer different questions. A PCC tells a third party what is currently on the record; it does not change the record. Expungement changes the record itself, but only for a conviction that meets the section 271B criteria and only once the application has been approved. Many expungement applicants need a SAPS clearance certificate as part of that application, so the two guides are meant to be read together rather than treated as alternatives. For the wider picture of South African law, see South Africa Laws.
This guide is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, consult an attorney, or contact Legal Aid South Africa (0800 110 110) if you cannot afford one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a criminal record in South Africa?
A criminal record is the entry held against a person's fingerprints by the SAPS Criminal Record Centre, part of Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, reflecting convictions recorded against them. It is not a document a person holds themselves; it is accessed through a Police Clearance Certificate or, for an old conviction, an expungement application.
What is the difference between a police clearance certificate and expungement?
A Police Clearance Certificate tells a third party, such as an employer or visa office, whether convictions are currently recorded against an applicant. It does not change the record. Expungement, under section 271B of the Criminal Procedure Act, removes a qualifying old conviction from the record itself, once approved.
How do I find out what is on my own criminal record?
The way to see what SAPS holds against your fingerprints is to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate, or the cheaper Police Clearance Report if the purpose is an expungement application, through Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management.
Can a criminal record in South Africa be removed?
A conviction can be expunged under section 271B of the Criminal Procedure Act once 10 years have passed since the conviction, provided the sentence imposed falls within the qualifying list set out in that section. Not every conviction or sentence meets those criteria.
Do I need a police clearance certificate before applying for expungement?
Yes. An expungement application to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development must include a SAPS clearance certificate confirming that 10 years have passed since the conviction, so the clearance step normally comes first.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Sources and References
- South African Police Service, Applying for a Police Clearance Certificate (issuing authority, fingerprints, fee, turnaround, addresses)(saps.gov.za).gov
- Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, ss271A to 271E (consolidated text, expungement and related provisions)(saflii.org)
- Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Expungement of Criminal Records (free of charge, application process)(justice.gov.za).gov
- gov.za, How do I remove or expunge my criminal record (FAQ, processing time)(gov.za).gov
- South African Police Service, FAQ on expungement processing time(saps.gov.za).gov