Obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate with a DIRCO apostille is essential for individuals requiring criminal history verification for a Spanish visa. The Spanish Embassy in South Africa requires this document to assess an individual’s legal record. This involves first obtaining a fingerprint-based background check from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and then authenticating it for international use with an apostille certificate issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
Due to the SAPS’s notorious backlog, it can take weeks to obtain the valuable Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) quickly, so it is crucial for those gathering the required documents for a Spanish visa application to understand how to secure an Urgent Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
This detailed guide will walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining an urgent police clearance certificate (PCC) in Pretoria, Johannesburg or Cape Town. It covers everything from what a PCC is and why it is required, to how Global Apostille’s services can help you complete the process quickly, accurately and without hassle, whether you are in South Africa or overseas.
What is the SAPS Police Clearance Certificate ?
The Police Clearance Certificate, often referred to as a PCC or SAPS 365, is issued by the SAPS Criminal Record Centre (CRC) to applicants when required by a foreign embassy or agency for various purposes, such as visitor, study or business residence visas. Once your application has been received, centre officials will check your references and fingerprints against the SAPS database to determine whether you have an official criminal record on the SAPS database
Situations Requiring a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate with an Apostille
- Residency visas and immigration to Spain: Spain require an apostilled PCC when applying for visitor, nomad and long-term residency or citizenship.
- Teaching or employment opportunities in Spain: Schools, NGOs, and companies abroad often ask foreign hires to provide a Police Clearance Certificate with apostille before they can begin work. This is especially important for positions involving children, healthcare, or financial responsibility.
- Adoption and family reunification cases: Spanish Adoption agencies and immigration authorities typically require a Police Clearance Certificate with apostille to ensure the applicant has no disqualifying history.
- Spanish universities: South African Students applying to study in Spain may be asked to present an apostilled Police Clearance Certificate as part of the admission or visa process.
Who can request the SAPS Police Clearance Certificate?
Both South Africans and foreigners who have lived or currently live in South Africa can apply for a police clearance certificate to prove their criminal history in the country. In South Africa, the office that issues these certificates is the Criminal Records and Crime Scene Management (CR & CSM) Division of the South African Police Service (SAPS), which is based in Pretoria.
Applications for a Police Clearance Certificate must be submitted along with a fingerprint form and valid identification.
SAPS Backlogs
Despite the introduction of the new Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), the South African Police Service (SAPS) has a backlog of thousands of police clearance certificate applications. As of March 2026, the waiting time for a police clearance certificate exceeds eight weeks due to an influx of applications, the system being offline and the prioritisation of fingerprint searches for firearm licences and renewals.
Urgent police clearance certificate from Global Apostille
Global Apostille specialises in facilitating the procurement of various important documents for the Spanish visa application process, including SAPS Police Clearance Certificates. For those who require an urgent police clearance certificate with apostille for a Spanish visa, Global Apostille offers expert services to streamline the process, providing a certificate within 10 working days of receiving the application. Our experienced team ensures accurate and efficient processing, providing peace of mind. We offer:
- Document Assistance: We help with compiling and assembling all required paperwork, making sure nothing is missed.
- Application Fast tracking: our experienced team aware of the proper channels and processes to use when submitting your application, which speeds up the process and lowers the risk of mistakes.
- Collection: Global Apostille will monitor the progress of your application, provide updates and ensure prompt collection of the final Police Clearance Certificate and courier delivery to you.
- Apostille & Translation: We can also assist with Dirco express Apostille and certified translation.
Obtain an urgent Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for the Spanish visa, in just ten working days by using the services of Global Apostille in Pretoria. For more information, please contact us at: Tel: 012 348 3134; Mobile: 081 347 6060; Email: info@apostillelegalisation.co.za
