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.

Criminal Record Check from Abroad | South African Expungement

If you are currently living or working outside South Africa, you can still obtain your criminal record and apply for expungement. We regularly assist clients based in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, the UAE, and across Europe and Africa. The process requires a set of fingerprints and certain documentation, which you can arrange from your country of residence. We handle everything else through a Power of Attorney arrangement.

How the Process Works

Step 1: Have Your Fingerprints Taken

Your fingerprints need to be taken on the official SAPS 91(a) form. You have two options:

South African Embassy or Consulate: Contact the nearest South African diplomatic mission and request to have your fingerprints taken on the SAPS 91(a) form. Most embassies and consulates offer this service.
Local police station: In many countries, the local police can take your fingerprints on the SAPS 91(a) form. Download the form from our website, print it, and present it at the police station.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

You will need to provide:

The original completed SAPS 91(a) form with your fingerprints
A certified copy of your South African ID or passport
A signed Power of Attorney (we draft this for you)

Step 3: Courier Documents to Us

Send the original documents to our offices in Pretoria via international courier (DHL, FedEx, or similar). We provide the full postal address and reference details once you engage our services.

Step 4: We Handle Everything from Here

Using the Power of Attorney you have signed, we:

Lodge your fingerprints at the SAPS Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria
Retrieve your official criminal record report
Conduct a professional legal assessment of eligibility
If eligible, prepare and submit the full expungement application to the Department of Justice
Follow up on progress and notify you of the outcome

Step 5: Receive Updates

We keep you informed throughout the process via email and WhatsApp. You do not need to be in South Africa at any point. Once the expungement is approved, we provide confirmation documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions — Clients Abroad

Do I need to return to South Africa at any point? No. The Power of Attorney authorises us to act on your behalf for the entire process. Everything is handled remotely.

Can my fingerprints be taken at a foreign police station?
Yes, in most countries. The fingerprints must be taken on the official SAPS 91(a) form, which you can download from our website. Some countries may require the form to be authenticated or apostilled — we advise on this based on your location.

How long does the process take from abroad?
The timeline depends on courier delivery times and government processing. Typically, the full process from receiving documents to finalising the expungement takes 4–8 months. We provide realistic timeframes during the assessment stage.

Why do I need a criminal record cleared if I’m living abroad?
Many visa applications and immigration processes require a South African police clearance certificate. A criminal record can result in visa refusals or complications with residency applications. Expungement permanently removes the record, allowing you to obtain a clean police clearance.

What does it cost?
R500 for criminal record retrieval and assessment. If eligible, R2,500 for the full expungement application — all-inclusive, no hidden fees. The Power of Attorney is drafted at no additional charge.

Living Abroad and Need Your Record Cleared? Contact us at info@clear-criminal-record.co.za or WhatsApp us. We’ll guide you through the process step by step, wherever you are in the world.

How to Get Your South African Criminal Record from Abroad