What a police clearance really tells an employer
Ubuntu Home Staffing 22 September 2026 5 min readA police clearance is one part of a bigger picture. Understanding its limits helps households make a fairer, safer hiring decision.
A police clearance is one of the most requested documents in domestic hiring. It is also one of the most misunderstood.
What it covers
A South African Police Service clearance certificate records convictions on the national criminal record system at the time it is issued. It is issued for a specific person and carries a date.
What it does not cover
A clearance is not a guarantee. It does not record pending cases, matters that never resulted in a conviction, or records held outside South Africa. It also only speaks to the day it was issued — which is why a recent certificate matters more than an old one.
How employers should use it
Treat a clearance as one signal among several:
- Check that the certificate is recent, usually within six months
- Make sure the name and ID number match the candidate's ID document
- Verify references by phone, not only in writing
- Ask about gaps in employment history calmly and without assumption
Why this matters for candidates
If your clearance is older than six months, renew it before you apply. Being able to hand over a current certificate puts you ahead of candidates who cannot.
A clearance opens a conversation. References and a careful interview are what actually build trust.