Civic services refer to Government Issued Certificates and records of all South African citizens and permanent residents. This involves issuing enabling documentation after these citizens’ status have been confirmed, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates.
As simple as it may sound, we recognize that acquiring essential civic service documentation can be incredibly stressful and time-consuming, especially if you are not sure where to start or what is required. Many also misjudge how long it takes to acquire the documentation and are frustrated by delayed processes where they have an urgent need for such documentation.
These services, as it related to the reissuing of documentation by the Department, are often time not considered a high priority item coupled with the substantial backlog, processing times can be as long as 6 – 18 months. Where you use a service provider to assist and facilitate a proactive follow up process with such application, processing times are significantly shorter.
Some of the typical Civic services include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, apostilling/legalising of documents, letters of no-impediment, South African Police Clearances and expediting of any pending applications. Below we explore these in more detail and provide the expected turnaround time on applications when using a trusted and experienced service provider.
Unabridged:
Time frame: 2 – 4 weeks
Cost: From R5 950.00 + VAT
Abridged:
Time frame: 2 working days
Cost: From R1 250 + VAT
Unabridged:
Time frame: 2 – 4 weeks
Cost: From R5 950.00 + VAT
Abridged:
Time frame: 2 working days
Cost: From R1 250 + VAT
Unabridged:
Time frame: 3 – 12 Months
Cost: From R4 950.00 + VAT
Abridged:
Time frame: 2 working days
Cost: From R1 250 + VAT
Timeframe: 15 – 20 Working Days
Cost: From R4 850.00 + VAT
Timeframe: 3 – 5 working days
Cost: From R2 850.00 + VAT
Timeframe: 3 – 6 weeks
Cost: From R4 450.00 + VAT
Timeframe: 1 – 20 working days
Cost: From R4 900.00 + VAT
Timeframe: 15 – 25 Days
Cost: From R2,450.00
Timeframe: 15 – 25 Days
Cost: From R2,450.00
Timeframe: 3 – 12 Months
Cost: From R3,950.00
What Is A South African Police Clearance Certificate?
A South African police clearance certificate also known as a PCC, is an official document issued by the police authorities which is often required for a variety of immigration or emigration applications as well as by employers. The document states whether any criminal offence has been recorded against a South African citizen or a foreign national who has resided in South Africa.
Why Is A South African Police Clearance Certificate Required?
The purpose of this document is to confirm an individual’s criminal status in the Republic of South Africa.
Processing Time To Obtain A South African Police Clearance Certificate:
Once we have received your information and the required documents, it will take approximately 10 – 15 working days for the SA Police Service to process and issue your certificate.
Cost of Service
R2 850.00 + VAT.
Please keep in mind that DHA is ultimately the authority in this process and there might be delays due to unforeseen issues, for example, if they are struggling to obtaining or create registries as they can either be lost, burnt or damaged.
We daily observe South Africans who are still waiting on pending Unabridged Certificate applications. If you are in a similar situation, having submitted all the documentation but since then, you have been in the dark regarding the outcome of your application and when it can be expected. There is a petition process one can follow that will process an outcome on your pending application.
Once we have received your information and the required documents, it will take on average 1 – 20 working days for the Department to process the application.
Cost of Service
R 4900.00 +VAT
Please keep in mind that DHA is ultimately the authority in this process and there might be delays due to unforeseen issues, for example, if they are struggling to obtaining or create registries as they can either be lost, burnt or damaged.
Certificate of non-impediment is issued to South African citizens who intend to get married outside the country. The purpose of the certificate is to confirm to foreign authorities that there are no impediments to enter a marriage by the citizen concerned.
Processing Time To Obtain A Letter Of No Impediment:
Once we have received your information and the required documents, it will take approximately 6 – 8 weeks for the Department to process and issue this letter.
Cost of Service
R1 450.00 + VAT
Please keep in mind that DHA is ultimately the authority in this process and there might be delays due to unforeseen issues, for example, if they are struggling to obtaining or create registries as they can either be lost, burnt or damaged.
An Apostille certificate simply means that your document that originates in South Africa has been authenticated or legalized by The Legalization Section at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (The Department of Foreign Affairs). Any document that you need for travel or work may need to be Apostilled.
Once we have received the documents that you need to be apostilled, it will take approximately 3 – 5 working days.
Cost of Service
Apostille process per document: R2 850.00 + VAT
Please keep in mind that DHA is ultimately the authority in this process and there might be delays due to unforeseen issues, for example, if they are struggling to obtaining or create registries as they can either be lost, burnt or damaged.
Our specialist team include Attorneys, Chartered Accountants, Master Tax Practitioners, a Financial Services Provider (FSP) and Master Reward Specialists, who combined are relevantly qualified to fully command the entire skillset required to address your residency needs holistically. Whilst our professional credentials ensure accountability and the highest standards of delivery, we are in a unique position to provide you with pertinent advice ensuring the optimal approach to immigration. We pride ourselves in our ability to deliver and create loyal and meaningful client relationships by providing them with trusted client delivery.
SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT ISSUED CERTIFICATES 101: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The protracted lockdown in South Africa resulted in the Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) offering limited emergency services.