How long must I wait to expunge my criminal record in South Africa?

Generally, ten years must have passed since the date of the conviction before you can apply for expungement, provided you have not been sentenced to direct imprisonment without the option of a fine during that period.

Do I qualify if I paid an admission of guilt fine?

Yes, many admission of guilt fines result in a criminal record that can be expunged. Certain COVID-19 related admission of guilt fines may now be eligible for immediate expungement under the Judicial Matters Amendment Act.

Can a record be expunged if the fine was over R20,000?

If the sentence was a fine exceeding R20,000, it generally does not qualify for the standard administrative expungement process. In such cases, a Presidential Pardon may be the only available legal route.

Does a criminal record fall away automatically after 10 years?

No. While a record may 'fall away' for courtroom sentencing purposes, it remains on the SAPS National Criminal Register until a formal Section 271B expungement application is successfully processed.

Expungement South Africa: How to Clear Your Criminal Record

Digital Fingerprint Capture - Get Criminal Record Report in one to two weeks. We will notify you within 2 days if you do not have an criminal record. Free assesment if you qualify to have your criminal record expunged.

Clear Your Future: The Ultimate Guide to Criminal Record Expungement in South Africa (2026 Update) image

A criminal record can feel like a life sentence, even after you’ve paid your debt to society. It blocks employment, prevents international travel, and creates a barrier to professional registration.
The good news is that South African law—specifically the Criminal Procedure Act—provides a legal pathway to have your record permanently removed. At Clear Criminal Record, we specialize in navigating this complex process so you can reclaim your reputation.

What is Expungement?
Expungement is the legal process of removing a criminal record from the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Criminal Record Centre. Once successful, the conviction is deleted, and you can legally state that you do not have a criminal record when applying for jobs or visas.

Do You Qualify? (The 10-Year Rule)
In most cases, you are eligible to apply if 10 years have passed since the date of your conviction. However, additional criteria apply:

Sentence Type: You qualify if your sentence was a fine (not exceeding R20,000), a suspended sentence, correctional supervision, or a "caution and discharge."
No Prison Time: You must not have been sentenced to direct imprisonment without the option of a fine during the 10-year waiting period.
Minor Offences: The process is designed for "minor" offences (e.g., petty theft, common assault, or certain fraud). Serious crimes like murder or rape generally do not qualify for standard expungement.
Special Registers: If your name is on the National Register for Sex Offenders or the Child Protection Register, you must first have your name removed from those registers before applying.

The Process: Why Use a Professional Service?
The Department of Justice offers this service for free, so why pay a professional? The answer lies in bureaucracy and time.

The Fingerprint Phase: You must obtain a fresh Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). We partner with over 300 digital capture locations to make this 10-minute process effortless.
The Application Phase: We prepare and lodge the J744 (Form A) application on your behalf, ensuring every detail is correct. A single error can lead to a 6-month delay.
The Follow-Up: The Department of Justice is currently handling a massive backlog. We provide professional follow-ups to ensure your file doesn't sit at the bottom of the pile.
Verification: Once the Department issues the certificate, we ensure the SAPS Criminal Record Centre actually updates their database.

Take the First Step Today
Don't let a mistake from a decade ago hold you back in 2025.
[Check Your Eligibility in 60 Seconds] Use our online tool to see if you qualify for expungement.
[Get Your Criminal Report - R2,500]Not sure if you have a record? We’ll pull your report and give you a free legal assessment within 48 hours.

Why Trust Clear Criminal Record?

Legal Expertise. Site owned and managed by a practicing attorney.
Speed: We process applications within 3 business days of receiving documents.
Convenience: 300+ fingerprint capture partners nationwide.
Transparency: No hidden costs. One flat fee for your peace of mind.

What does it cost to capture digital fingerprints?

The process of capturing your digital fingerprints is free of charge, and no appointment is necessary. All you need to do is request to have your digital fingerprints taken when you arrive, and be sure to bring a form of identification such as your ID, driver's license, or passport. After your fingerprints have been captured, there is no obligation to proceed any further.

Do I need to do this only once?

The process of capturing your digital fingerprints is free and only needs to be done once. Once your fingerprints have been captured, you won't need to have them taken again for any future criminal checks. Additionally, if needed, you'll be able to perform your own criminal background check online at any time in the future, from anywhere in the world.

What happens after I have captured my digital fingerprints?

Once you've captured your digital fingerprints you must notify us at law@louwrenskoen.co.za so that we may invoice you and order a new criminal record check on our system. You only need to capture your fingerprints once.

What is there is no fingerprint capture partner near me?

You will need to attend your nearest police station to have your fingerprints taken. the form should then be sent to us to apply for a police clearance certificate at the SAPS Criminal Record Centre.

If you are outside South Africa, you can download the form and attend any foreign police station to have your fingerprints taken.

The form should be couriered to our offices.

What about my personal information.

Your information is kept secure in line with privacy legislation. You can at any time request our Capture Partner to remove your information.

Clear Your Future: The Ultimate Guide to Criminal Record Expungement in South Africa (2026 Update)