A Police certificate refers to a statement from a national law enforcement authority on the status of a person’s criminal record. It is also referred to as “Certificate of No Criminal Record” or “Police Clearance Record”.
The Police record certificate is perhaps the most important document when you apply for immigration, permanent residence or citizenship abroad. This is also a first step to apply for CBI and Golden visa programs. You must keep the police certificate ready to start the application process along with other documents. Lately we have seen a surge in large number of South africans interested in applying for CBI and Golden visa programs due to instability in the country/.
In South Africa, you can get Police clearance certificate from Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria. Please refer to the official website of South African Police department.
The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document issued by the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR & CSM) stating whether or not any criminal convictions have been recorded against an individual. This service is available to people who require confirmation of their criminal status for emigration purposes or for travel or employment abroad.
There are also third party service providers who can help you with expedited processing, collection and delivery for an extra fee.
The Validity of Police certificates is between 6-12 months depending the country you apply. After that it automatically expires and you have to apply for new one. Children under 12 years may be exempted from PCC. In some countries this age limit is increased to 16 years. Applicants should request their police certificate prior to making their application for Citizenship.
In some countries, authorities will not handover PCC to applicants, for confidential purpose, only will be forwarded to relevant police or government authorities abroad. In these cases you should seek advice and notify where it should be sent.
If you apply for CBI passport programs, there is one additional rule: You have to get PCC in ALL countries for 6 months or more, where you have lived in the past 10 years.
PCC will not be issued to wanted persons.
Applying from Abroad
Applicants living abroad may forward the application and required documents directly to CR & CSM for processing. Applications received from abroad will not be returned to the applicant. The applicant must monitor progress via the SAPS website and upon completion arrange for collection as indicated on the application form. For security purposes the certificate will only be handed over to the person nominated by the applicant or chosen courier service. Note that certificates not collected within three months after finalisation will be destroyed.
Fingerprints
A full set of his/her fingerprints on a SAPS 91(a) when living in South Africa. The fingerprints must be taken by the South African Police Service. Persons living outside South Africa, may apply at the any police station in that country or at the South African Embassy. Fingerprints must be taken on the official fingerprint forms of the applicable country or, if available, on the SAPS 91(a) fingerprint enquiry form.
PCR Report
A Police Clearance Report (PCR) is available to people who require confirmation of their criminal status for the purpose of expungement of a criminal record. This report can be issued by any Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC). The prescribed fee is R70,00 per report. The Police Clearance Report issued must be handed to the applicant in person upon collection. Proof of identity must be presented when the report is collected.
PCR should not be confused with PCC above.
