Does a criminal record go away in South Africa?

Asked by: Billy Effertz  |  Last update: October 17, 2025
Score: 5/5 (43 votes)

But the good news is: if it's been 10 years or more since the conviction, you can apply to have your criminal record wiped clean. This is known as “expungement”.

How long does a criminal record last in South Africa?

A clearance certificate issued by the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service issued on a date 10 years after the conviction(s) and sentence(s).

What crimes cannot be expunged in South Africa?

Convictions for sexual offences against a child or a disabled person are not eligible for expungement. If your name appears in the National Register for Sex Offenders or the National Child Protection Register, you won't qualify for expungement unless your name has been removed from the register(s).

Does your criminal record clear after 7 years?

Some people have the misconception that their criminal record will “clear” after a period of 7 years. This is a misnomer. Although your criminal record does not automatically clear after 7 years, you can take steps to have your case expunged or your record sealed.

How much does it cost to get your record expunged in South Africa?

R2,500.00.

Are Criminal Records Cleared For Criminals In South Africa?

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How to remove a criminal record in South Africa?

period of 10 years has lapsed after the conviction(s) and sentence(s), must be obtained from the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service. The clearance certificate must be attached to the application. be obtained from the Registrar that his or her name has been removed from the Register.

What is a clean criminal record?

Lawyers will advise you that clean criminal records are ones in which no convictions are present. Some of the items that will appear on criminal records include: Convictions and arrests. Dismissals. Felony offenses.

Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?

Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.

What is the 7 year rule?

The 7 year rule

No tax is due on any gifts you give if you live for 7 years after giving them - unless the gift is part of a trust. This is known as the 7 year rule.

What is the 7 year look back rule?

The FCRA's seven-year rule restricts the reporting of certain types of information for jobs paying less than a minimum salary threshold. Additionally, several states have seven-year restrictions on reporting criminal convictions.

Can you travel to South Africa with a criminal record?

You are required to complete a Traveler Card when you arrive and leave South Africa. There is no requirement to declare criminal records. The questions asked are around; reasons for visit, occupation, address in South Africa, if in possession of any prohibited goods and passport details.

Can a criminal case be withdrawn in South Africa?

prosecutors may occasionally undertake to withdraw a charge on the fulfilment of some condition by the accused.

Can countries see my expunged record?

In short, yes – immigration can look at your expunged record.

How to check if you still have a criminal record in South Africa?

When it comes to obtaining a criminal record check in South Africa, there are two primary avenues: going through the South African Police Service (SAPS) or utilising criminal record check services. Each option has pros and cons, offering different levels of convenience, speed, and cost.

How long must records be kept in South Africa?

In the case of archival records the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act, 1996 as amended, determines that such records must normally be kept for twenty years after the end of the year in which they were created, before they are transferred into archival custody.

What makes a person have a criminal record in South Africa?

A criminal record is where all the convictions of a person are listed. A conviction will remain on a person's criminal record for a period of 10 years.

What is the 7 year itch rule?

The seven-year itch is the idea that after seven years in a relationship, whether that's as a married couple or cohabitees, we start to become restless. Bored perhaps. Everything begins to feel a little bit mundane or routine. Anecdotally, it's said we're more likely to go our separate ways around this time.

What is the Rule of 72 8 years?

The rule says that to find the number of years required to double your money at a given interest rate, you just divide the interest rate into 72. For example, if you want to know how long it will take to double your money at eight percent interest, divide 8 into 72 and get 9 years.

What is the half year rule?

The Half-Year Rule is a guideline set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that applies to newly acquired capital assets in the year they are purchased. This rule allows taxpayers to claim only 50% of the Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) for new additions in the first year.

Do felonies fall off after 7 years?

In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison. You can face serious obstacles until you get the conviction removed from your criminal history.

How far back do most criminal background checks go?

Employment background checks can typically go back as far as seven to ten years, though that timeframe can vary depending on the type of check, the position being applied for, industry regulations and state or local laws.

What state is the most felony friendly?

The most friendly state for felons is Vermont, where no felons are disenfranchised and no voting restrictions. In the US, there are 5.17 million people disenfranchised due to a felony conviction.

How can I clear my criminal record in us?

A person must file a petition for expungement, often in the same court in which the criminal prosecution took place. The petition only addresses a single criminal case. If a person wants to expunge records of multiple cases, he or she must file more than one petition.

How do you pass a background check with a criminal record?

Best Practices for Passing a Background Check
  1. Don't lie about your name. Many background checks are name-based—though some employers use fingerprint or Social Security Number checks for more precise results. ...
  2. Get your story straight. ...
  3. Run a background check on yourself. ...
  4. Consider expungement.

How do you know if you have a clean background check?

If you want to know whether you passed your check, you can either reach out to the employer who requested it or reach out to the background check company itself. Ultimately, you can fight for yourself, especially if you fail your background record check.