If you are living in the United Kingdom and need a South African Police Clearance Certificate, you can arrange the process without travelling back to South Africa.
Certificate Assistance helps clients in the UK obtain their South African Police Clearance Certificates by managing the South African processing on their behalf.
Our current processing lead time is approximately 8–10 business days. We require copies of your identification documents and your original fingerprints to process your application.
South African Police Clearance Certificate from the UK
A South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS). It provides information regarding whether an individual has a criminal record recorded by SAPS at the time the certificate is issued.
If you previously lived or worked in South Africa, you may be asked to provide a South African Police Clearance Certificate while living in the UK.
It may be required for purposes such as immigration, visas, employment, residency, citizenship or other official applications.
Can I Apply from the UK?
Yes. You do not need to travel back to South Africa simply to arrange your Police Clearance Certificate.
Certificate Assistance assists clients living overseas by handling the South African processing on their behalf.
You arrange the required documentation and fingerprints in the UK and send the original fingerprints to us in South Africa. Once received, we can proceed with the South African processing.
What Do I Need for a South African Police Clearance?
To assist with your application from the UK, we require:
- Copies of your identification documents
- Your original fingerprints
Your fingerprints are an important part of the Police Clearance Certificate application and the original fingerprint document must be sent to us in South Africa.
Please contact Certificate Assistance before sending your documents so we can confirm the current requirements and provide the correct delivery instructions.
Getting Your Fingerprints Taken in the UK
If you are applying from the United Kingdom, you will need to arrange for your fingerprints to be taken before sending them to South Africa.
When arranging your fingerprints, explain that they are required for a South African Police Clearance Certificate application.
Make sure the fingerprint document is completed clearly and correctly.
Because we require the original fingerprints for processing, sending us a photograph or scanned copy of the fingerprint form is not sufficient for the application itself.
Once your fingerprints have been taken, contact us for instructions before couriering the originals to South Africa.
How Long Does a South African Police Clearance Take from the UK?
Our current processing lead time is approximately 8–10 business days.
This processing period should be considered separately from the time required to courier your original fingerprints from the UK to South Africa and any delivery arrangements for the completed documentation.
Processing times may occasionally be affected by circumstances outside our control. If your Police Clearance Certificate is required for an immigration, visa, employment or other deadline, we recommend starting the process as early as possible.
Do I Need to Travel to South Africa?
No. One of the main advantages of using Certificate Assistance is that you can remain in the United Kingdom while we handle the South African side of the process.
Once the required documentation and original fingerprints reach us, we can proceed with the Police Clearance Certificate application on your behalf.
This can save you the considerable time and expense of travelling to South Africa simply to deal with documentation.
South African Documents for People Living Overseas
Obtaining official South African documents from overseas can sometimes feel complicated, particularly when original documents or fingerprints are required.
Certificate Assistance specialises in helping clients obtain South African documentation while they are living abroad.
We guide you through what is required, receive your documents in South Africa and manage the relevant South African processing on your behalf.
Need a South African Police Clearance from the UK?
If you are living in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and require a South African Police Clearance Certificate, Certificate Assistance can help.
Contact us before sending your documents. We will explain the requirements and provide instructions for sending your original fingerprints to South Africa.
Current processing lead time: approximately 8–10 business days.
Contact Certificate Assistance today to get started with your South African Police Clearance Certificate from the UK.
