SAPS Citizen Services: Clearance Certificates, Crime Reporting & Station Finder

If you need something from the South African Police Service that has nothing to do with joining the force — a police clearance certificate for a job or visa, help reporting a crime, the address of your nearest station, or just the right number to call — this site is for you.

Most SAPS guides online focus on recruitment. That's not what this page is about. Here you'll find plain-language help for the services ordinary citizens use every day: getting your police clearance, reporting crime through the right channel, finding a station near you, and reaching SAPS by phone or through the official MySAPS app. Everything is written simply, with the official sources named so you can double-check anything that matters.

In a hurry? Emergency: call 10111. Anonymous crime tip-offs: 08600 10111 (Crime Stop). Official SAPS website: saps.gov.za.

Quick facts

• Emergency number: 10111 — works from any phone, anywhere in South Africa.
• Crime Stop: 08600 10111 — report crime anonymously if you'd rather not give your name.
• Police clearance certificates are issued by the SAPS Criminal Record Centre. You apply in person at a police station, where your fingerprints are taken.
• MySAPS is the official SAPS app (free on the Play Store and App Store) — it lets you find stations, submit tip-offs, and access services from your phone.
• Official website: saps.gov.za — the only site you should trust for forms, station lists, and announcements.

Police clearance certificates in South Africa

A police clearance certificate — often just called a "police clearance" or "name clearance" — is an official document from SAPS confirming whether or not you have a criminal record. Employers ask for it all the time, especially for jobs in finance, security, childcare, and government. You'll also need one for most visa and emigration applications, and for things like firearm licence applications.

The certificate is issued by the SAPS Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria, but you don't apply there directly. You apply at any police station: an officer takes your fingerprints and captures your application, and it's sent to the Criminal Record Centre for processing. Bring your ID book or smart ID card with you — the station needs to verify who you are before taking your prints.

A few honest notes. Processing takes time — the Criminal Record Centre handles applications from the whole country, so apply well before any deadline an employer or embassy gives you. And be careful: there are people out there who charge desperate applicants "express fees" to speed things up. SAPS doesn't work that way. If someone asks you for money to fast-track a clearance, walk away.

We've put together a full walkthrough of how to get a police clearance certificate in South Africa — what to bring, what happens at the station, and the mistakes that slow applications down.

How to report a crime to SAPS

If a crime is happening right now or someone is in danger, call 10111 immediately. That's the national police emergency number, and it works from any phone — mobile or landline, with or without airtime.

For crimes that already happened — a burglary you discovered this morning, a stolen car, fraud — you have a few options. You can walk into any police station and open a case in person; you'll get a case number, so keep it somewhere safe because you'll need it for insurance claims and follow-ups. You can also report through the MySAPS app. And if you know something about a crime but don't want your name attached, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 takes anonymous tip-offs.

What surprises people: you don't have to report at the station closest to where the crime happened. Any police station will take your statement and open the case. So if it's late and the nearest station feels safer to reach, go there.

Our guide to every channel for reporting a crime to SAPS covers what to say when you call, what to bring to the station, and how case numbers work.

Finding your nearest SAPS police station

South Africa has over a thousand police stations, and the official station list lives on saps.gov.za. The MySAPS app has a station finder built in — it uses your phone's location to show the stations closest to you, with addresses and contact numbers. That's usually the fastest way.

If you'd rather not install anything, the SAPS website publishes provincial station lists you can search through. And in a pinch, calling 10111 works: tell the operator where you are and they'll direct you to the nearest station.

One thing worth knowing: stations have different hours for their Community Service Centres (the front desk where you report crimes and get help). Most are open 24 hours in cities, but smaller stations may have limited hours. The station finder guide explains how to check before you drive over.

Key SAPS contact numbers

Save these in your phone. You'll be glad you did when you actually need them.

• 10111 — Police emergency. Crime in progress, danger to life, urgent help needed.
• 08600 10111 — Crime Stop. Anonymous tip-offs about crime.
• Your local station — for non-urgent matters, follow-ups on cases, and certificate applications. Find the number through the MySAPS app or saps.gov.za.

A quick word on 10111: it's for emergencies. Using it for general questions ties up lines that someone in real danger might need. For non-urgent stuff, call your station directly or use the app.

The MySAPS app

MySAPS is SAPS's official app, and it's genuinely useful. You can find police stations near you, submit anonymous tip-offs, and access SAPS services without standing in a queue. It's free, and it's available for both Android and iPhone.

Only download it from the official stores — the Play Store listing and the App Store listing linked below. Fake "SAPS" apps exist, and they'll happily harvest your details. Our download page has the verified links and a few safety notes.

Frequently asked questions

Is this site part of SAPS? No. This is an independent guide. We're not affiliated with the South African Police Service or the government. For anything official, go to saps.gov.za or visit a station.

Where do I get a police clearance certificate? At any police station — your fingerprints are taken there and sent to the SAPS Criminal Record Centre. See our clearance certificate guide for the full process.

Can I report a crime online? You can submit tip-offs through the MySAPS app, and Crime Stop takes anonymous reports by phone on 08600 10111. For a formal case with a case number, visit a station in person.

What number do I call in an emergency? 10111. From any phone, anywhere in South Africa.

How do I find the closest police station? The MySAPS app's station finder is the quickest way — it uses your location. The official station lists are also on saps.gov.za.

Is the MySAPS app free? Yes, and it's the official SAPS app. Download it only from the links on our download page.

A last word

Dealing with the police — whether you're reporting a stolen laptop or applying for a clearance certificate — is stressful enough without confusing instructions. The honest truth is that most SAPS citizen services are straightforward once you know which door to knock on: 10111 for emergencies, your local station for cases and certificates, the app for everything in between.

Bookmark this page. Save the numbers. And if you're here because you're thinking of joining SAPS rather than using its services — the current intake (5,500 trainees, applications closing 13 November 2026) is covered on the recruitment side of things; this site stays focused on the citizen services above.