What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

A Police Clearance Certificate is the certificate issued by the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Cervices which is a record of your convictions. This certificate is widely known as a Police Clearance Certificate, Police Clearance, Criminal Record, Arrest Record, Criminal Record, etc.

A police certificate is a copy of your criminal record or a declaration of the absence of any criminal record. Police certificates are different in each country and territory and may be called police clearance certificates, good conduct certificates, judicial record extracts, rap sheet, arrest record etc. They are issued by police authorities or government departments.

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Who needs a Police Clearance Certificate?

There is no hard and fast rule but the following can be taken as a guideline for a person 16 years and older who wants to immigrate, work or study in a foreign country you and your dependants may have to provide police certificates.  Visa offices may also request certificates from students and temporary foreign workers.

• Wants to Emigrate.

• Wants permanent residency.

• Wants a work permit.

• Certain Visa applications.

• Certain types of occupations

Usually you must obtain Police Clearance Certificates from countries you visited for more than 6 consecutive months at a time.

How long is a Police Clearance Certificate valid for?

Again there is not a set rule but as a standard in the industry a maximum of 12 months.

Some countries and organisations wants the police clearance certificates not to be older than 3 months. A re-issue can be obtained within six months of the origional certificate being issued.

What is the Process to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from South Africa?

• Obtain a official set of fingerprints.

• Send the fingerprints together with the application forms to GMTM  Consultants.

• We will process the application.

• We will follow up the application on a regular basis.

• On issue of the certificate we will post or courier the application to     you.

Where to get approved fingerprints for a Police Clearance Certificate?

A: In South Africa

• From your local SAPS - state the reason. Ask the SAPS for the fingerprints and state that you will handle the process.

B: Outside South Africa

•From the local Police or an appointed fingerprint taker.

In some instances the authority that takes the finger prints will insist to send off the finger prints. Supply them with our information pack.

What is the turn around time for a South African Police Clearance Certificate?

• 15 to 30 working days

• If there is a criminal record it can take a few weeks more

What information will there be recorded on a South African Police Clearance Certificate?

The following information is usually recorded.

• Criminal judgements

• Outstanding traffic fines are not recorded.

• Judgements for Debt is not recorded.

Note: Certain criminal offences can be expunged after a period of 10 years has lapsed.

Can a Police Clearance Certificate be Apostlled?

Official Police Clearance Certificates can be Apostilled,Legalised or Authenticated.

Police Clearance Certificates

On a daily basis we at GMTM Consultants get requests from all over the world to obtain Police Clearance certificates on their behalf.Police Clearance Certificates from South Africa also commonly known as Criminal Record Certificate or Certificate of Good Conduct.

Let us first make clear what the advantage is for a client to use a service provider like us to obtain your Police Clearance Certificate on your behalf.
* We visit the Criminal Record Centre on a daily basis. Our offices are a mere 15 minute drive from the Criminal Record Centre.
* We follow up on the process on your application and can attend to hiccups.
* Communication with the Criminal Record Centre is direct, face to face and over the counter.

The next issue or question is how long does it take for a Police Clearance Certificate to be issued.  The Criminal Record Centre of the South African police Services started to operate their scanning side for 24 hours per day which cut down the processing time considerably and we have been lucky to obtain some certificates within 14 days with 80% plus of the applications within 21 days. This turn around time compares with the best in the world. Unfortunately these turn around times cannot be guaranteed.

Applicants must note that if the applicant have a Conviction or as commonly known a "prior" the issue of a Police Clearance Certificate can take between 1 and 3 months longer.

Criminal records can be Expunged under certain circumstances.

Unfortunately it is very difficult to expedite the issue of Police Clearance Certificates and will only be entertained in extreme circumstances.

We at GMTM Consultants will do our best to assist you, where ever u are in the world to obtain your Police Clearance Certificate as speedily and painless as possible.

Process:
a) Go to our website and download the application forms.
b) Obtain a set of fingerprints
c) Courier the package to us.
d) We will lodged, follow up and courier to you

Personal Police Clearance Certificate.

It is the norm that if you want to apply for a visa or a position outside of South Africa you need to obtain a Personal Police Clearance Certificate.
At this stage the only way to obtain a Personal Police Clearance Certificate is to obtain a set of fingerprints and lodge them at the Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria.
This lodging can either be done via the post courier or a service provider.
On receipt of your fingerprints the CRC puts a through a verification process which takes between 21 and 36 working days, where after your Police Clearance Certificate is issued. If you have a criminal record this process can take up to 6 months as the particulars of the offence has to be obtained from the relevant court.
The Police Clearance Certificate states your personal particulars and if you have a Criminal Record.
For a reliable service to obtain a Personal Police Clearance you can contact us:
GMTMgmtminfo@gmail.com