SAPS Clearance Records Fourways

A SAPS Police Clearance Certificate (the “SAPS 365”) is issued solely by the South African Police Service’s Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR & CSM) division in Pretoria — there is no dedicated clearance office in Fourways. South African applicants lodge the application at Fourways SAPS, where an officer captures ink fingerprints on the official SAPS 91(a) form and forwards the file to Pretoria. Alongside the fingerprint form, applicants submit a completed SAPS application form, a certified copy of their South African ID or passport, proof of any maiden or other surnames to appear on the certificate, and proof of payment of the prescribed R190,00 fee. The published turnaround is approximately 15 working days from receipt of complete documentation, though a current backlog means in-person applicants should plan for a substantially longer wait.

What a SAPS Clearance Certificate Is and When You Need One

A SAPS Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued by the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management division confirming whether any criminal convictions have been recorded against an individual in South Africa. It is most commonly required for emigration, foreign work or residence permits, visa applications, overseas study, and overseas adoptions. The certificate is colloquially known as the “SAPS 365,” a reference to the internal form number.

A separate document — the Police Clearance Report (PCR) — is available from any Local Criminal Record Centre at a prescribed fee of R95,00 for applicants seeking confirmation of their record for expungement purposes.

The Application Process, Step by Step

1. Download and complete the SAPS application form (the 2019 version is published on the SAPS website as application_form_2019.pdf).
2. Visit Fourways SAPS and have your fingerprints taken on the official SAPS 91(a) form. Fingerprints must be ink-based; the Criminal Record Centre does not accept digital prints.
3. Present your South African ID, smart ID, or passport at the station as proof of identity.
4. If you need a maiden or other surname to appear (for example after a previous marriage), record it on the form and attach a certified copy of the marriage certificate or other proof.
5. Pay the R190,00 fee, either in cash at the police station or by electronic transfer (details below).
6. Have the station forward the complete file to CR & CSM in Pretoria at no extra cost. You may instead hand-deliver the application to CR & CSM, or send it by post or courier at your own expense.
7. Track progress on the SAPS online portal (saps.gov.za/services/certificate.php) using your enquiry reference number and ID number, date of birth, or surname.
8. Collect the certificate in person from CR & CSM, or from the station if you requested local return. Certificates not collected within three months of finalisation are destroyed.

Where the Application Is Processed

All SAPS Police Clearance Certificates — including those lodged at Fourways SAPS — are issued centrally by the Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria; there is no branch-level issuing office in South Africa. The current CR & CSM head office is at Bothongo Plaza West, CRC Client Service Centre, 1st Floor, Room 14, 271 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria (previously listed as Sanlam Plaza West at 271 Schoeman Street; same property). Postal address: The Head: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (For attention: Police Clearance Certificates), South African Police Service, Private Bag X308, Pretoria, 0001. General enquiries: Tel 012 393 3928; email [email protected].

Realistic Timelines and What Slows Things Down

Channel	Published turnaround	Realistic current wait
In-person at a police station	~15 working days from CR & CSM receipt of complete file (excluding postal time)	Approximately three months, with longer waits not uncommon, due to the current central backlog
Hand-delivered directly to CR & CSM in Pretoria	~15 working days from receipt	Generally faster than police-station forwarding, but still subject to the backlog
From abroad (standard channel)	Not separately published	Three to six months
Private facilitation service (Sandton / Fourways area)	Not applicable — private companies do not issue the certificate	7–20 working days for expedited tiers (4–7 for urgent options), at additional fee tiers of roughly R2,500–R3,800 on top of the R190 SAPS fee

Fourways SAPS forwards applications in batches and the central queue is under backlog pressure — the main reason in-person timelines stretch beyond the 15-working-day guideline. SAPS does not offer an expedited channel itself.

Documents You Will Need

Document	Where it is issued / how it is obtained
Full set of ink fingerprints on SAPS 91(a)	Taken at Fourways SAPS. Digital prints are not accepted.
Completed SAPS application form	Downloadable as application_form_2019.pdf from saps.gov.za.
Certified copy of SA ID or passport	Issued by Home Affairs; certified at the police station or by a commissioner of oaths.
Proof of any maiden or other surnames to be reflected	Certified copy of marriage certificate, divorce order, or other official documentation.
Proof of payment of the R190,00 fee	Cash receipt from the station, or electronic transfer confirmation with the correct “PCC” reference.
Self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid courier (if applying from abroad)	Provided by the applicant.

Fees and How to Pay

The prescribed SAPS tariff is R190,00 per application, covering the issuing of the certificate itself. The fee is non-refundable and does not cover any third-party service charges, courier costs, or expediting fees charged by private facilitation companies. Payment may be made in cash at the police station, or by electronic transfer to the SAPS account at ABSA — cheque account 4054522787, branch code 632005, Swift ABSAZAJJXXX — with the reference “PCC” followed by the applicant’s initials and surname.

Special Situations and Common Pitfalls

Situation	What happens / what to do
Applicant flagged as “Wanted”	No certificate will be issued. The “Wanted” status must be resolved first, typically with legal representation.
Incomplete application	CR & CSM does not process it and notifies the applicant by SMS. Common omissions: unsigned forms, uncertified IDs, missing surname documentation, missing proof of payment.
Applying from abroad	Apply at any police station in the country of residence or at a South African embassy. Applications from abroad are not returned — monitor progress online and arrange collection as indicated on the form.
Urgent certificate	SAPS does not offer an expedited service. Private facilitation companies in the Sandton / Fourways area offer faster turnaround at additional cost but are not affiliated with SAPS.
Old record still appearing	The legal pathway is an expungement application under section 271 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, run through the court system rather than SAPS.

When a Lawyer Becomes Relevant

SAPS does not provide legal advice, and the application process does not require legal representation. A lawyer becomes relevant where the certificate reveals a record the applicant believes should be cleared, where the applicant is flagged as “Wanted” by SAPS and cannot get a certificate issued, or where entries need to be corrected. Burger Huyser Attorneys’ Criminal Law practice advises on these matters through its Sandton and Randburg branches.

The Police Clearance Certificate is an administrative SAPS process and most applicants do not need a lawyer. Where legal issues arise — an expungement application, a name-clearance dispute, or a “Wanted” status challenge — Burger Huyser Attorneys’ Criminal Law practice can advise. The closest branch to Fourways is Sandton at Block 3, 1st Floor, Northdowns Office Park, 17 Georgian Crescent East, Bryanston (Tel 011 253 3080), with the Linden, Randburg head office at 49 First Avenue (Tel 011 888 0246) also on the same corridor. Contact the Sandton branch before booking a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I apply for a SAPS clearance certificate in Fourways?

At Fourways SAPS, your nearest police station. The officer takes your fingerprints on the SAPS 91(a) form and forwards the complete application to CR & CSM in Pretoria. There is no dedicated SAPS clearance office in Fourways itself; all certificates are issued centrally.

How long does a SAPS clearance certificate take from Fourways?

The published turnaround is approximately 15 working days from the date CR & CSM receives a complete file, excluding postal time. In practice CR & CSM is currently experiencing a backlog, so applicants applying through a police station should plan for substantially longer — closer to three months, with longer waits not uncommon.

How much does a SAPS clearance certificate cost?

The prescribed SAPS fee is R190,00 per application, payable in cash at the station or by electronic transfer to the SAPS account at ABSA (cheque account 4054522787, branch code 632005, Swift ABSAZAJJXXX) with the reference “PCC” followed by your initials and surname. Private facilitation companies charge additional service fees on top of the R190 SAPS fee.

What documents do I need to apply from Fourways?

Ink fingerprints on the SAPS 91(a) form taken at Fourways SAPS, the completed SAPS application form, a certified copy of your SA ID or passport, documentary proof of any maiden or other surnames, and proof of payment of the R190,00 fee.

Can I apply from outside South Africa?

Yes. Applicants living abroad apply at any police station in their country of residence or at a South African embassy, using that country’s official fingerprint form or the SAPS 91(a) where available. Applications from abroad are not returned — monitor progress via the SAPS online portal and arrange collection as indicated.

What if my SAPS clearance certificate shows a criminal record?

The certificate is a factual reflection of SAPS records and cannot be challenged on that basis. The legal pathway is an expungement application under section 271 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, run through the court system rather than through SAPS. Burger Huyser Attorneys’ Criminal Law practice advises on expungement applications through its Sandton and Randburg branches.

What happens if I am flagged as “Wanted” by SAPS?

SAPS will not issue a certificate to an applicant flagged as “Wanted.” The status must be resolved first, typically with legal representation engaging the relevant SAPS unit or court process. Burger Huyser’s Criminal Law practice can advise on available pathways.