SAPS Clearance Records Lawyers in Alberton

A South African Police Service (SAPS) Police Clearance Certificate confirms whether convictions appear against a person’s fingerprints; it does not itself clear a criminal record. Alberton residents can apply directly for a certificate, while an attorney can assist when the record may qualify for expungement, the certificate is refused or delayed, or recorded information appears incorrect.

What a SAPS Clearance Record Is and When a Lawyer Adds Value

CR & CSM in Pretoria solely issues Police Clearance Certificates. A PCC is commonly requested for emigration, foreign employment or travel and reports convictions held by SAPS; expungement is the separate statutory process for removing a qualifying conviction.

Most applicants do not need legal representation for an ordinary PCC. Assistance may be useful where:

• an older conviction must be assessed under section 271B of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977;
• SAPS identifies the applicant as “Wanted”;
• a complete application remains unresolved beyond the published period; or
• the result contains a suspected identity or record error.

The Direct Application Route When a Lawyer Is Not Required

Applicants in South Africa may apply through a police station or submit the application to CR & CSM by hand, post or courier. A police station can take fingerprints and forward it without an additional forwarding charge.

Documents and payment

• a full set of fingerprints on form SAPS 91(a), taken by SAPS;
• a completed PCC application form;
• a certified copy of an identity document or passport, with the original available for identification;
• proof supporting a maiden name or another surname, where relevant; and
• proof of the prescribed, non-refundable R190 SAPS fee.

The fee may be paid in cash at the police station or electronically to the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, ABSA account 4054522787, branch code 632005 and SWIFT code ABSAZAJJXXX. The payment reference must be “PCC” followed by the applicant’s initials and surname.

Submission or enquiry	Official detail
Postal applications	Head: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, For attention: Police Clearance Certificates, Private Bag X308, Pretoria, 0001
Hand delivery or courier	Bothongo Plaza West, CRC Client Service Centre, 1st Floor, Room 14, 271 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria
Telephone and email	012 393 3928 and [email protected]
Tracking	The SAPS online certificate enquiry service; applicants who provide a South African mobile number may also receive reference and completion messages

SAPS publishes an approximate 15-working-day period after CR & CSM receives all required documents, excluding delivery time, but warns of a backlog. Do not arrange travel or employment deadlines around that target alone. Certificates uncollected three months after finalisation are destroyed.

The Lawyer-Assisted Route for Criminal Record Expungement

Section 271B permits expungement 10 years after conviction if the sentence is listed in the Act and the applicant received no imprisonment without the option of a fine during that period. Listed outcomes include a caution or reprimand, a fine up to R20,000, imprisonment with the option of a fine up to R20,000, wholly suspended imprisonment, specified correctional supervision and periodical imprisonment.

Age alone does not make a conviction eligible. Direct imprisonment, a higher fine or a later disqualifying sentence can prevent approval. An applicant on the National Register for Sex Offenders or National Child Protection Register must first obtain removal and the prescribed confirmation.

How the administrative process works

1. Obtain the SAPS clearance document showing the conviction and that the 10-year period has elapsed.
2. Complete Parts II and III of official Form J744 and attach the clearance document and any required register-removal confirmation.
3. Send the application to the Directorate: Legal Process at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in Pretoria.
4. If the statutory criteria are met, the Director-General issues a certificate of expungement and submits it to the head of the SAPS Criminal Record Centre.
5. SAPS removes the qualifying conviction and can confirm the expungement in writing.

The Department of Justice renders its expungement service free of charge and states that complete applications take about 60 working days. Any attorney’s professional fee is separate and should be quoted only after the conviction, sentence and supporting records have been assessed. Burger Huyser Attorneys’ Criminal Law practice can assist Alberton applicants with that assessment and preparation.

What to Do When a Clearance Is Refused or Delayed

SAPS will not issue a PCC to an applicant identified as “Wanted”. The underlying warrant, pending case or identity issue must be addressed lawfully. An attorney can obtain available case information and advise on the proper process.

For delay, use the SAPS enquiry service, then email [email protected] or call 012 393 3928. Retain the application, payment and courier proofs, and responses. For apparent errors, identify the entry and gather fingerprints, case numbers, court outcomes and prior expungement confirmation before requesting correction. Litigation or review may be considered if administration does not resolve a material error.

Choosing an Alberton-Based Attorney for Clearance and Expungement Work

Choose an attorney who distinguishes a PCC from section 271B expungement, checks the sentence against the Act and understands the roles of CR & CSM and Justice. Fees, delays and missing-document consequences should be explained before instruction.

• Criminal-law experience: relevant to warrants or pending cases.
• Statutory accuracy: section 271B eligibility and exclusions require careful checking.
• Administrative follow-through: Pretoria applications need organised, traceable records.
• Local access: Alberton clients can have documents reviewed locally.
• Transparent costs: distinguish official charges from professional fees.

Burger Huyser Attorneys has a Criminal Law practice and an Alberton branch for local instructions.

Practical Considerations: Cost, Timeline and What to Bring

Item	Practical position
Ordinary PCC	R190 non-refundable SAPS fee; about 15 working days after complete receipt is the published target, but the announced backlog may extend it.
Expungement	The Department of Justice service is free; it states about 60 working days for a complete application. Optional attorney fees are separate.
First consultation	Bring an ID or passport, the PCC or available criminal-record details, the charge and sentence, court orders, case numbers, proof of payment and all SAPS or Justice correspondence.

The SAPS page advertises a R95 Police Clearance Report through a Local Criminal Record Centre for expungement. Justice guidance and Form J744 instead refer to a clearance certificate showing the conviction and elapsed period. Confirm the required document with both authorities before submitting.

For help assessing a record, preparing a section 271B application or addressing a refused or inaccurate result, contact Burger Huyser Attorneys’ Alberton branch on 011 439 3990 or 061 515 4699. The office is at 28 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Randhart, Alberton, 1449. Bring identification, court documents and SAPS correspondence. Burger Huyser Attorneys has a 4.8/5 average from 250+ Google reviews and is Trustindex verified as a “Top Rated Law Firm in South Africa”.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to get a SAPS clearance certificate in Alberton?

The prescribed, non-refundable SAPS fee for a PCC is R190. SAPS also lists a R95 Police Clearance Report for expungement purposes. If you choose legal assistance for eligibility, refusal or record-correction work, the attorney’s fee is separate; Burger Huyser Attorneys’ Alberton branch quotes after reviewing the file.

How long does a SAPS clearance certificate take to be issued?

SAPS publishes an approximate period of 15 working days after CR & CSM receives a complete application, excluding post or courier time. SAPS currently warns of a backlog, so treat the target as guidance rather than a guaranteed completion date and track the application before making dependent travel arrangements.

Can I apply for a SAPS clearance certificate myself, or do I need a lawyer?

You can apply yourself through a police station or submit the complete application to CR & CSM. An attorney is not mandatory for the standard section 271B process either, but may assist with eligibility, documentation, a wanted-status complication, an excessive delay or a material error on the record.

What is a Police Clearance Report and how is it different from a Police Clearance Certificate?

A PCC is the official conviction-status document commonly required for emigration, travel or foreign employment. The SAPS page describes a separate R95 PCR issued by a Local Criminal Record Centre for expungement. Because Justice’s current Form J744 refers to a clearance certificate, confirm the required supporting document with both authorities for the specific application.

Where is the SAPS Criminal Record Centre, and how do I contact them?

Hand deliveries and couriers go to Bothongo Plaza West, CRC Client Service Centre, 1st Floor, Room 14, 271 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria. Post goes to Private Bag X308, Pretoria, 0001. Telephone 012 393 3928 or email [email protected].

Where is the Burger Huyser Alberton branch, and what are the hours?

The branch is at 28 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Randhart, Alberton, 1449. Telephone 011 439 3990 or mobile 061 515 4699. The stated hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm; confirm current availability when making an appointment.