Moving abroad comes with its fair share of paperwork. One document that often catches South African expats off guard? The police clearance certificate. Whether you’re applying for a work visa, permanent residency, or citizenship in your new country, chances are you’ll need one of these.

The good news is that obtaining a South African police clearance from abroad is entirely possible. The not-so-good news? The process can feel like navigating a maze if you don’t know what you’re doing. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about getting your police clearance certificate sorted, no matter where in the world you’ve landed.

Why you might need a Police Clearance Certificate from South Africa

A police clearance certificate (PCC)—sometimes called a criminal record check—is an official document issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS) that shows whether you have any criminal convictions on record. If you’ve got a clean slate, the certificate will state exactly that.

Most countries require this document as part of their visa or immigration process. Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, and the UAE all have their own requirements, but the underlying principle is the same: they want to verify you don’t pose a security risk.

Beyond immigration purposes, you might need a police clearance for:

• Employment applications, particularly in sectors like education, healthcare, or finance
• Professional licensing in fields that require background checks
• Adoption or fostering processes
• Volunteer work with vulnerable populations

The validity period varies by country. Some nations accept certificates that are up to six months old, whilst others (like Spain) only recognise documents issued within the last three months. Always check the specific requirements of the country where you’ll be using the certificate.

How to get your South African police clearance from abroad

The application process for a SA police clearance certificate requires three key components: your fingerprints, proof of identity, and a completed SAPS 91(a) application form.

Step 1: Taking your fingerprints

You’ll need to have your fingerprints taken on the official SAPS 91(a) form. Whilst this might sound like something you need to return to South Africa for, you can actually have your prints taken in your current country of residence.

Options include:

• Local police stations (though not all will be familiar with South African forms)
• Private fingerprinting companies that specialise in international documentation
• Lawyers or notaries who offer fingerprinting services

When having your prints taken, make sure the form includes your full names, surname, identity number, date of birth, and place of birth. The person taking your prints should also stamp and sign the form.

Step 2: Gathering supporting documents

Along with your fingerprints, you’ll need to provide:

• Certified copy of your South African ID or passport from any country
• Marriage certificate (if you need your maiden name included on the certificate)

These documents must be certified by a lawyer, commissioner of oaths, or notary public. Keep in mind that only one maiden name and one surname can appear on the certificate.

Step 3: Submitting your application

Once you’ve got everything together, your documents need to make their way to the Criminal Record Centre (CRC) in Pretoria. This is where things can get tricky if you’re handling the process yourself.
Applying independently often means waiting 3–6 months for processing, sometimes longer. The CRC’s processing times are notoriously inconsistent, and tracking your application from overseas adds another layer of complexity.
Many expats choose to work with a professional service that handles applications directly with the CRC. These services typically offer expedited processing times ranging from 5 to 30 working days, plus they can manage the entire process on your behalf—from submitting documents to arranging international courier delivery.

Step 4: Receiving and verifying your certificate

When your police clearance arrives, check it immediately for accuracy. Common errors include:

• Misspelled names or surnames
• Incorrect gender designation (Mr vs Ms)
• Missing maiden names

These mistakes happen more often than you’d think because the certificates are typed manually. If you spot an error and you’ve applied through a professional service, they can usually arrange a corrected reprint within days. Going through SAPS directly means starting the entire application from scratch.
Your certificate will be printed on special security paper with the SAPS logo, official stamps, and signatures. There’s no ID or passport number on the document—just your personal details and either a clear record statement or details of any convictions.

Getting your certificate legalised

Here’s something many expats discover too late: most countries won’t accept your police clearance certificate on its own. It needs to be legalised for use abroad.
The legalisation process depends on where you’re using the document:

For countries that are part of the Hague Convention (like Australia, the UK, and most EU nations), you’ll need an apostille. This is a special certification stamp from South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) that verifies the authenticity of your police clearance.

For non-Hague Convention countries (such as the UAE or China), you’ll need authentication and embassy attestation. This involves DIRCO authentication followed by attestation from the destination country’s embassy or consulate in South Africa.
Standard apostille processing through DIRCO takes 6–8 weeks. Expedited services can reduce this to 1–2 weeks, though at a higher cost.

Making the Process Easier

Obtaining a police clearance certificate whilst living abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Understanding what’s required and planning ahead makes all the difference.
If you’re on a tight timeline—say, you need the certificate within three months for a visa application—consider using a professional service that specialises in SA police clearances for expats. They handle the bureaucracy, chase up delays, and ensure your documents are processed correctly the first time.

Most importantly, don’t leave it until the last minute. Factor in processing time, potential errors, courier delays, and legalisation requirements. What seems like a straightforward document can quickly become a bottleneck in your immigration plans if you’re not prepared.

Whether you’re applying for permanent residency in Melbourne, a work visa for London, or citizenship in Toronto, your police clearance certificate is one piece of paperwork you’ll want sorted well in advance. With the right approach, it’s one less thing standing between you and your new life abroad.

FinGlobal: cross-border financial specialists

Obtaining a South African police clearance is a necessary step for many expats, but sorting out your South African tax and retirement matters is a whole other challenge — and that’s what we help with. We specialise in helping South Africans manage the financial side of emigration, including:

• Tax emigration and compliance with SARS
• Pension income and retirement annuity withdrawal
• International money transfers and exchange control

South African living abroad? Let’s make your finances easier. Drop your details below, and we’ll get in touch to help you plan your next steps.