Quick answer: The South African Police Service (SAPS) Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management component in Pretoria is responsible for issuing South African Police Clearance Certificates. For PCC applications, SAPS currently lists the CRC Client Service Centre at Bothongo Plaza West, 1st Floor, Room 14, 271 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria. Postal applications are addressed to Private Bag X308, Pretoria, 0001.
Certificate Assistance is a private independent document-assistance service and is not SAPS, the Criminal Record Centre or any South African government department.
What Is the South African Criminal Record Centre?
People often search for the “South African Criminal Record Centre” or “SAPS Criminal Record Centre” when they need a Police Clearance Certificate, criminal-record related information or the correct Pretoria submission address.
SAPS refers to the responsible component as Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR & CSM). It is responsible for issuing South African Police Clearance Certificates and managing related criminal-record functions.
Where Is the SAPS Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria?
For Police Clearance Certificate applications, SAPS currently lists the following physical address:
The Head: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management
For attention: Police Clearance Certificates
South African Police Service
Bothongo Plaza West
CRC Client Service Centre
1st Floor, Room 14
271 Francis Baard Street
Pretoria
Before travelling to the centre, check the current SAPS Police Clearance information page in case access procedures, office arrangements or service notices have changed.
SAPS Criminal Record Centre Postal Address
SAPS currently lists the following postal address for Police Clearance Certificate applications:
The Head: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management
For attention: Police Clearance Certificates
South African Police Service
Private Bag X308
Pretoria
South Africa
0001
What Does the Criminal Record Centre Do for Police Clearance Applications?
SAPS states that issuing a Police Clearance Certificate is the responsibility of Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria.
A Police Clearance Certificate confirms whether criminal convictions are recorded against the applicant and is commonly required for immigration, visas, residency, overseas employment, citizenship and other international processes.
Can You Submit a Police Clearance Application Directly in Pretoria?
Yes. SAPS states that applicants in South Africa may deliver an application directly to Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria, use a postal or courier service, or ask a police station to forward the application at no additional forwarding cost.
If you use a courier or private assistance service, make sure the application contains all required original documents and that the collection or return arrangements are clear.
What Documents Does SAPS Require for a Police Clearance Certificate?
SAPS currently requires a Police Clearance Certificate application to include:
- a full set of fingerprints;
- a completed application form;
- a certified copy of the applicant's identity document or passport;
- proof of payment of the prescribed SAPS fee; and
- supporting proof if a maiden surname or another previous surname must appear on the certificate.
Applicants living in South Africa generally use fingerprints taken by SAPS on a SAPS 91(a) form. Applicants living abroad may have fingerprints taken by the police in their country of residence or at a South African Embassy, using an acceptable official fingerprint form.
Read our South African Police Clearance application guide for the full process.
How Much Is the Official SAPS Police Clearance Fee?
SAPS currently lists a prescribed government fee of R190 per Police Clearance Certificate application. This is the official SAPS application fee and is separate from any courier, private handling or document-assistance service fee.
Government fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the official SAPS Police Clearance page before paying.
How Long Does the Criminal Record Centre Take to Process a PCC?
SAPS currently publishes an approximate finalisation time of 15 working days from the date all required documents are received by Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria, excluding postal or courier time.
SAPS is also currently warning that a backlog is extending waiting periods, so the published timeframe should be treated as an estimate rather than a guaranteed completion date.
See our Police Clearance processing-time guide.
How Do You Track a Police Clearance at the Criminal Record Centre?
Once SAPS has registered the Police Clearance application and allocated an enquiry number, the applicant can use the official SAPS Police Clearance online enquiry service to check the application status.
SAPS says the enquiry results include both finalised and outstanding applications. South African applicants can generally search using the PCC enquiry number and ID number, while other applicant details may be used where applicable.
For official status checks, use the SAPS Police Clearance enquiry system rather than relying on an unofficial criminal-record lookup website.
SAPS Police Clearance Enquiries Contact
The current SAPS telephone directory lists 012 393 3928 for Police Clearance Certificate enquiries under Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management. SAPS also lists crc-nameclear@saps.gov.za for PCC enquiries.
Contact details can change, so check the latest SAPS directory or Police Clearance page before relying on them.
Can South Africans Living Abroad Apply Through the Criminal Record Centre?
Yes. SAPS states that applicants living outside South Africa may send their application and original supporting documents directly to Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria.
Completed certificates are not automatically emailed to overseas applicants. Collection or courier arrangements must be made as provided for in the application process.
See our Police Clearance from abroad guide for overseas fingerprint, document and courier guidance.
Criminal Record Centre vs a Local Police Station
A local SAPS police station can assist with parts of the application process, including fingerprints and forwarding an application, but the Police Clearance Certificate itself is issued through Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria.
Need Help With a South African Police Clearance Certificate?
Certificate Assistance provides private support to clients in South Africa and overseas who need a South African Police Clearance Certificate.
Our current private-service fee is R2,550 per document, with an estimated private-service lead time of approximately 8–10 working days, subject to SAPS processing and the individual application. This private service fee is separate from the official SAPS government fee.
Visit our South African Police Clearance Certificate service page for the main service information.
Official SAPS Information
For current government requirements, fees, addresses, backlog notices and application procedures, use the official SAPS Police Clearance Certificate page.
