Questions and Answers

Q. Is a Criminal Record Check the same as a Police Clearance?

A. Although the information for both reports are sourced from the same database at the Criminal Record Bureau in Preoria and contain the same information, the difference is that the Police Clearance report is printed on a SAPS certificate.

Q. How long does it take to capture my fingerprints?

A. We allocate 15 minutes per applicant.

Q. Are fingerprints captured using an ink based system?

A. No, we use a biometric system where your fingerprints are captured digitally and immediately transferred to the SAPS Crminal Record Bureau in Pretoria where they are stored on the Criminal Record database.

Q. How long does it take to obtain a AFIS Criminal Record Check report.

A. 24 to 48 hours.

Q. I have an urgent need for an AFIS Criminal Record check. Can I request for the report to be expedited?

A. Yes, we can expedite your search and expect a report to be returned within 5 hours. This will however be at an additional cost.

Q. My visa application requires a police clearance. Can I submit an AFIS Criminal Record check report to support my application?

A. Most International Government agencies require a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate to support a visa application.

Q. I am applying for employment overseas. Can I submit an AFIS Criminal Record check report to support my application.

A. Yes, you can. Most employment agencies and Institutions (both local and International) are satisfied with an AFIS Criminal Record check report.

Q. What if my AFIS Criminal Record check report indicates that I have a criminal record, what options do I have?

A. The AFIS Ciminal Record check does not indicate the details of the crime committed. It only indicates 'No Illicit Activity' or 'SAPS Verification Requested' or 'Possible Illicit Activity'. If the report indicates either of last two, we apply for a SAPS 69 report which provides details of the crime committed. This could take up to 6 weeks before we have the report sent to us.

Q. What if the AFIS Criminal Record Check report indicates an 'Awaiting Trial' status?

A. An 'Awaiting Trial Status' means that you are still to appear in court for sentencing. If you know that your case was thrown out of court or otherwise finalised, we will help you to get the record clarified and cleared from your name. In most cases this would require you to present yourself at the SAPS office where you were charged.

Q. How long is the AFIS Crminal Record Check valid for?

A. In theory, the report is valid for 1 year. In practice, once a report has been issued, a crime could be committed the following day. This is why most employers will only accept a Criminal Record report that they temselves have applied for prior to employing an individual.