How to get a police certificate – South Africa

If you need to give your fingerprints for a police certificate, this isn’t the same as giving your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) for an application.

Name of the document you need

Clearance Certificate

Police certificate and IRCC requirements

You must provide a police certificate when you apply for permanent residence in Canada.

How to apply

If you live in South Africa

You should apply in person at your local South African Police Service office. You should provide a bank draft and a completed fingerprint chart bearing the official signature and the stamp of local police to:

South African Police Service
Criminal Investigation Department
Private Bag X308
Pretoria 0001
South Africa

If you live outside of South Africa

You can apply at the South African Embassy or by mail to the South African Police Service office.

Special considerations

Certificates from IDECO are not valid for immigration purposes and applicants should always request the standard RSA police clearance.

Contact information

The Head of the South African Criminal Record Centre
(For attention: Police Clearance Certificates)
Private Bag X308
0001 pretoria
South Africa

Email: crc-nameclear@saps.gov.za

Telephone (South Africa): (012) 393 3928
Telephone (international): 27 12 393 3928
Fax number (South Africa): (012) 393 3909
Fax number (international): 27 12 393 3909

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