If your National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Senior Certificate (SC) is lost, stolen, or damaged, or you wrote in more than one sitting and need one combined certificate, this guide is for you. It walks through the official replacement paths used in South Africa, what to take with you, and how a Statement of Results fits in while you wait.
Who issues what
- Umalusi certifies NSC, SC (and related qualifications it lists) and is responsible for replacement of certificates from November 1992 onward.
- You normally apply through the Department of Basic Education (DBE), your Provincial Education Department (PED), the e-Government e-Re-Issue service, and/or the Umalusi online replacement portal, depending on your case.
- A Statement of Results is interim proof of marks; it is not the certificate. DBE notes you can request a statement while a replacement is processed.
Do not confuse this with “checking results online” after exams. Replacement is a paid application with identity checks.
Option A: DBE / provincial office or post
Use this path for lost/damaged certificates, change of personal particulars (within policy rules), or combination of results from more than one sitting.
Official overview: https://www.education.gov.za/Informationfor/CertificationServices.aspx
Lost or damaged, typical documents
- Affidavit stating what happened to the certificate
- Damaged original if it still exists (you must return it)
- Certified copy of your ID
- Proof of payment
Combination / change of status (credits from more than one sitting): results from all sittings, certified ID, proof of payment. The department does not automatically combine credits unless you fall under the published supplementary/June rules for that cycle.
Pay by the methods the office accepts (postal order, cash at DBE/PED, or as directed online). Post applications to Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001 if you use the downloadable forms on the Certification Services page.
Helpdesk: Sol Plaatje House, 222 Struben Street, Pretoria, applications and collections Monday–Thursday 08:30–15:15 (as published). Email certification@dbe.gov.za, phone 012 357 4511/3, call centre 0800 202 933. Provincial numbers are listed on the same page and on https://www.gov.za/services/services-residents/education-and-training/basic-education/replace-matric-certificate
Option B: Online e-Matric e-Re-Issue (eservices.gov.za)
If you lost or damaged your certificate, or need to combine sittings for an SC/NSC:
- Register as a user on https://www.eservices.gov.za
- Open the Education Reissue service
- Upload the supporting documents (affidavit, certified ID, proof of payment; damaged original rules as above)
- Keep the reference number to track the application
Guide: https://www.education.gov.za/Informationfor/CertificationServices/eReissue.aspx and https://www.gov.za/services/services-residents/education-and-training/basic-education/re-issue-matric-certificate
Option C: Umalusi online replacement (from November 1992)
Umalusi’s portal: https://www.umalusi-online.org.za/ReplacementCertificate/
- Register an account and create a replacement request for the correct qualification (e.g. NSC, SC, ASC, NC(V), N3, GETC: ABET as listed).
- Upload a signed affidavit and certified ID/passport/birth certificate, Umalusi states these should not be older than three months.
- Choose collection at the Pretoria office or courier (courier costs extra).
Processing is not same dayUmalusi indicates about 1–6 weeks under normal circumstances. Pre–November 1992 replacements go through education departments/assessment bodies (printed by the assessment body, not Umalusi).
Important: When a replacement is issued, the previous certificate is cancelled. If you later find the old one, it is invalid.
For amendments of personal information or combination of results, Umalusi directs you to your nearest department of education or assessment body, not only the online replacement form. Support: Replacement.Support@umalusi.org.za, 012 349 1510. Anti-fraud hotline: 0800 223 680.
Fees and timing (confirm before you pay)
On Certification Services, for 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027:
- Replacement certificate: R180
- Statement of results: additional R70
- Same ballpark for combination / change of status and for re-issue of particulars (see the page for each line item)
Turnaround for replacements with records on the system: about four to six weeks; statement available immediately. Archive retrieval takes longer.
Note: the e-Reissue subpage may still show an older fee (e.g. R141 from 2021/22). Trust the current Certification Services figures and the amount shown when you pay on eservices.
While you wait
Ask for a Statement of Results if you need proof for a job or application. Keep certified copies of your ID and any affidavits. Do not pay “agents” who promise a same-day Umalusi certificate outside these portals.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Using cheque-only advice from outdated blogs, follow what DBE/PED/eservices accept today.
- Skipping the affidavit or using uncertified ID copies.
- Mixing up verification (employer authenticity check via Umalusi clients) with replacement (you need a new document).
- Expecting NSFAS or social grants to cover replacement fees, those are separate systems.
- Relying on a cancelled original after replacement.
Disclaimer: CAPS 123 is not the DBE or Umalusi. This summary is for orientation. Always verify fees, forms, and office hours on the official links above before you apply.