Criminal Record Expungement

Expungement of a criminal record is a procedure by which a criminal record of a convicted lawbreaker is expunged from the criminal record database of the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service. This allows a person to carry on with life without a criminal record being an difficulty to employment opportunities.

When a period of 10 years has lapsed after the date of the conviction for that offence. when the person has not been convicted and sentenced to a period of imprisonment without the option of a fine during those 10 years provided that the person was sentenced to any of the following sentences:

  • Corporal punishment.
  • Fine not exceeding R20 000.
  • Imprisonment with the option to pay a fine instead of serving the period of imprisonment.
  • Imprisonment was suspended wholly.
  • If a person was convicted of a sexual offense against a child or a mentally disabled person proof must be provided that such a person’s name was not entered into the National Register of Sex Offenders or the National Child Protection Register, or if it was entered, proof that such a person’s name has been removed from the relevant Register.

  • a period of 10 years has not lapsed after the date of the conviction.
  • a person was sentenced to direct imprisonment.
  • a fine of more than R20 000 was imposed.
  • When a person was sentenced to direct imprisonment (the imprisonment was not suspended and there was not the option of a fine) during the relevant 10 year period.

FINALIZATION OF THE APPLICATION TAKES 7 MONTHS FROM DATE OF ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS RECEIVED.