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.

Electronic Fingerprints for Criminal Record Check

Electronic fingerprint capture is the fastest and most convenient way to obtain your criminal record for expungement purposes. Our network of over 500 HURU fingerprint capture partners, located at PostNet and Jetline stores nationwide, offers a quick walk-in service that takes approximately 10 minutes.

How Electronic Fingerprint Capture Works

Electronic fingerprinting uses the HURU digital fingerprint capture system, which records your fingerprints digitally rather than using traditional ink and paper. The digital fingerprints are transmitted electronically to the SAPS Criminal Record Centre, where they are matched against the national database using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). This method is significantly faster than the traditional ink-and-paper process used at police stations, and produces more accurate results because digital scans are clearer and less prone to smudging or quality issues.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Find Your Nearest Location

Use the location finder on our website to find the closest PostNet or Jetline store that offers HURU fingerprint capture. With over 500 locations across South Africa, there is likely one close to your home or workplace.

Step 2: Visit the Location

Walk in — no appointment is necessary. Bring one of the following forms of identification:

South African Identity Document (ID book or smart card)
South African driver’s licence
Valid passport (South African or foreign)

Step 3: Fingerprint Capture

The process takes approximately 10 minutes. A trained operator will digitally scan all ten fingerprints. This is a clean, quick process — no ink is involved.

Step 4: Notify Us

Once your fingerprints have been captured, email us at info@clear-criminal-record.co.za to let us know. We will electronically retrieve your criminal record report from the SAPS system.

Step 5: Receive Your Report and Assessment

We provide initial feedback within 24–48 hours. If a record is found (referred to as a “Hit”), your full SAPS history report is typically available within 2–5 working days. We will then conduct a free legal assessment confirming whether the record qualifies for expungement, the costs involved, and the expected timeline.

Two Service Options

Option A: Express Route — You Order Directly

Have your fingerprints captured and order the criminal record certificate directly from the capture partner. Upload the certificate to us using our Secure Upload Link or email it to info@clear-criminal-record.co.za. You pay the capture partner directly for the report.

Option B: Digital Assist — We Order for You

Have your fingerprints captured at the partner location (this part is free — do not order the report). Notify us once done. We will send you an invoice for R500, and once paid, we will order and retrieve your report through our electronic portal. This option is ideal if you want us to handle the administrative process from the outset.

Is the fingerprint capture free?

Having your fingerprints captured at a partner location is free. Ordering the criminal record report incurs a fee, either paid directly to the capture partner (Option A) or to us (R500, Option B).

Do I need to make an appointment?

No. All 500+ locations offer a walk-in service. Simply visit during business hours with your identification

What do you want your clients to know?

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What if there is no record found?

If the system returns no record (a “No Hit”), we will notify you within 1–2 business days. No further action is needed, and no expungement application is necessary.

How accurate are electronic fingerprints compared to ink?

Digital fingerprint scans are generally more accurate than traditional ink prints. They produce clearer images with fewer quality issues, which reduces the risk of rejection by the Criminal Record Centre.

Electronic Fingerprints at 500+ Locations Across South Africa