POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES

www.servamus.co.za POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES CRIMINAL RECORD CENTRE - POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES One of the services that the CRC provides to the public in a non-crime-related manner, is the issuing of Police Clearance Certificates (PCC). These certificates are required mostly by South Africans who are in the process of emigrating. As mentioned during the previous article, this service is provided by CRC Client Service Administration, headed by Sen Supt Hugo Coetzee. According to market research results published in May 2008 by a market research company, 20% of South Africans are either seriously considering or definitely planning to emigrate. In addition, South Africans that work, travel and reside abroad require Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) for purposes such as legal proceedings, residence permission or securing employment. During 2007, 67 093 and in 2008, 104 079 Police Clearance Certificates were processed by the Criminal Record Centre. Application process South Africans who require confirmation of their criminal status for emigration purposes or for working abroad, need to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). This certificate indicates whether any criminal offences have been recorded against the applicant. The taking of the fingerprints is performed at the nearest police station, prior to the analysis thereof and the issuing of the certificate. The issuing of a Police Clearance Certificate is the sole responsibility of the SAPS Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria. The process: 1. The applicant must provide a full set of his/her fingerprints, preferably taken at the local police station. The applicant's full name, surname, date of birth, place of birth and identity number (if available) must also be recorded on the fingerprint form. - A copy of the applicant's ID document/passport must accompany the application. The applicant must present his/her Identity Document at the police station, as proof of identity will be required. http://www.servamus.co.za Powered by Joomla! Generated: 7 May, 2009, 08:05 www.servamus.co.za 2. South African citizens living abroad, may apply at any police station in that country or at the South African Embassy. Fingerprints can be taken on the official fingerprint forms of the specific country. The fingerprint form must be signed by the person who has taken the fingerprints. The application must be accompanied by a completed set of fingerprints and a copy of the applicant's Identity Document or passport. - In some foreign countries Police Clearance Certificates are known as "No Objection Certificates" or "Certificates of Character". As this type of certificate is a personal matter, foreign missions cannot send applications on behalf of the applicant, as it will obviate the problem of blame if a PCC is not issued or returned to the applicant. South African missions are therefore only responsible for: Assisting the applicants by supplying the application form. Taking of fingerprints. Accepting the prescribed fee and issuing a receipt. 3. If the applicant has trouble in delivering the completed application in person to the Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria, s/he can request the police station where his/her fingerprints have been taken, to forward the completed application to the Criminal Record Centre. Alternatively the applicant may mail the application to: The Head of the South African Criminal Record Centre (For attention: Police Clearance Certificates) Private Bag X 308 PRETORIA Gauteng http://www.servamus.co.za Powered by Joomla! Generated: 7 May, 2009, 08:05 www.servamus.co.za South Africa The application may also be delivered personally by hand or by courier to: The Head of the South African Criminal Record Centre (For attention: Police Clearance Certificates) Bothongo Plaza West (Previously SANLAM) CRC Client Service Centre 1st Floor, Room 14 271 Schoeman Street PRETORIA Office Hours 07:30 - 16:00 (Monday - Friday) http://www.servamus.co.za Powered by Joomla! Generated: 7 May, 2009, 08:05 www.servamus.co.za Cost: This service is rendered at R59 per application per certificate payable by: Bank guaranteed cheques; banker’s draft or electronic payment into the South Africa Police Service account (ABSA cheque account no: 4054522787; Branch code 632005; Swift code ABSA ZAJJ) in the favour of the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service. In the case of an electronic payment the initials and surname of the applicant should be indicated as the reference. The letters PCC must be added as reference, which will indicate that the payment is for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). An applicant who prefers to make an electronic payment abroad can approach any bank who can make a telegraphic transfer and request that the relevant fees be paid into the abovementioned bank account. Proof of payment must accompany the application and be sent to this office before the processing of the application will take place. (Additional certificates cost R59 per certificate.) Please note that once the application has been dealt with by the CRC, the Police Clearance Certificate will be returned as instructed by the client. If no instruction was received from the client, then the certificate will be forwarded by regular post to the applicant/client. When the application is forwarded from abroad, the application must be forwarded via any reputable courier company. It is crucial that the courier company be prepaid to collect the documents from the Criminal Record Centre. The applicant must determine what date the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is ready for collection and arrange with the courier service to collect the certificate from the Criminal Record Centre. It is very important that the courier has the applicant's ID number available when collecting the certificate to ensure that the correct certificate is collected. A Police Clearance Certificate can be re-issued within six months of the original application - yet an additional cost of R59 will be required. After six months of the date of the original application a new application (fingerprints, copy of ID and proof of payment) must be submitted. For more information contact the CRC Client Service Administration Subsection at tel: 27 12 393 3928; fax: 27 12 393 3909; e-mail: crc-nameclear@saps.org.za http://www.servamus.co.za Powered by Joomla! Generated: 7 May, 2009, 08:05 www.servamus.co.za Time period It takes on average 21 work days to issue a Police Clearance Certificate once a completed application is received at the Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria. Authentication Many foreign countries require that the Police Clearance Certificate must be authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This entails that the PCC is affixed, sealed and signed either with an Apostille (where countries are signatories to The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961), or with a Certificate of Authentication where countries are not signatories to The Hague Convention. If this service is required, the applicant must make his/her own arrangements to ensure that the Police Clearance Certificate is forwarded to the Chief Directorate: Consular Services, Legalisation Section. The request to the Department of Foreign Affairs must indicate in which country the certificate will be utilised as this determines whether a Certificate of Authentication or an Apostille is attached. Contact details: Chief Directorate: Consular Services (Legalisation Section) Public Office Hours: Monday to Friday (except public holidays): 08:30 - 12:30 Tel: 27 12 351 1000 Fax: 27 12 342 3370 E-mail: legalisation@foreign.gov.za Web address: www.dfa.gov.za Physical address: http://www.servamus.co.za Powered by Joomla! Generated: 7 May, 2009, 08:05 www.servamus.co.za Department of Foreign Affairs Eikendal and Groot Constantia Buildings, Tulbagh Park 1234 Church Street, corner of Church and Duncan Colbyn (Entrance in Duncan Street) Pretoria Postal address: Department of Foreign Affairs Chief Directorate: Consular Services (Legalisation Section) Private Bag X152 Pretoria, 0001 Sources: http://www.saps.gov.za - accessed on 12 February 2009. Marketingweb. "20% South Africans plan to emigrate." 26 May 2008 - published on http://www.marketingweb.co.za accessed on 12 February 2009. http://www.servamus.co.za Powered by Joomla! Generated: 7 May, 2009, 08:05 www.servamus.co.za http://www.servamus.co.za Powered by Joomla! Generated: 7 May, 2009, 08:05