What does a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate actually cost?
An honest breakdown of what you're paying for and to whom — instead of a single number that goes stale.
Four separate cost components
A police clearance application from overseas isn't one transaction — it's several. Being upfront about that structure matters more to us than a headline number that might be wrong by the time you read it, since SAPS fees, courier pricing and exchange rates all move independently of anything we control.
1. SAPS Government Fee
Set and collected by the South African Police Service for processing the application itself. This is government-set and subject to change — confirm the current fee directly with SAPS or as part of your quote from Elanza.
2. Courier (Both Directions)
Your file has to physically reach Pretoria, and your finished certificate has to physically come back. Courier pricing depends on the service level and current rates.
3. Apostille / Authentication (If Required)
Only applies if your destination requires it. See our apostille guide to check whether it's relevant to you before budgeting for it.
4. Service Coordination Fee
Covers certified fingerprint capture performed personally by Elanza, document preparation, submission and tracking. WhatsApp for a transparent quote — no hidden fees, full breakdown before you commit.
Frequently Asked
Why won't you just list a fixed price?
Because it's genuinely made up of several separate line items — some set by SAPS, some by courier providers, some by us — and any of them can change. A number published once and never updated is exactly the kind of thing that misleads people. WhatsApp Elanza and she'll give you a specific, current quote for your situation.
Does SAPS charge a fee for the certificate itself?
SAPS sets its own fee schedule for police clearance applications, and that fee structure can change over time. Rather than quoting a figure here that could be outdated by the time you read it, check the current fee directly with SAPS, or ask Elanza to confirm it as part of your quote.
What's the courier cost for?
SAPS doesn't process applications electronically — your physical file has to travel to Pretoria and your certificate has to travel back. Courier costs cover both legs and are a real, unavoidable part of applying from outside South Africa.
Is the apostille an extra cost?
Only if your situation requires one — see our apostille guide. When it does apply, it's a separate cost and process on top of the standard application, since it's issued by a different authority.
What am I actually paying EM Services for?
Coordination, document preparation, and certified fingerprint capture performed personally by Elanza — the parts of the process that determine whether your application goes smoothly the first time, rather than getting bounced back for an avoidable error.