Can I Buy A Matric Certificate?
Can I Buy A Matric Certificate?
Can I Buy A Matric Certificate?
Matric Certificate Replacement: Safe and Legal Options Explained:
If you have lost your original matric certificate or need to combine credits from different exam sittings, you might wonder whether you can simply buy a new one. The simple answer is no, you cannot legally buy a matric certificate in South Africa. A matric certificate is an official academic record issued only by recognised authorities such as Umalusi, and it cannot be purchased from a private person or unofficial website. Any offer to sell you a matric certificate is fraudulent and can lead to serious legal consequences, including criminal charges.
The correct and legal way to replace a lost or damaged certificate, or to combine exam results, is through Umalusi’s e-Matric e-Re-Issue service on the government’s official portal www.eservices.gov.za. This platform allows you to apply online for a replacement Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate (NSC). To use the service, you first register an account on the e-Government Portal, submit a request, and provide the required documents, such as a certified copy of your ID and a signed police affidavit explaining how the original certificate was lost or damaged.
Umalusi processes legitimate replacement applications within 1 to 6 weeks for certificates issued after September 1992, while older certificates can be requested through the Department of Education. Remember that once a replacement is issued, the old certificate is cancelled and becomes invalid.
Buying a matric certificate from unverified sources is illegal and risky. Instead, follow the proper application process to ensure your qualification remains valid, secure, and recognised by employers and institutions across South Africa.
Why You Cannot Legally Buy a Matric Certificate
A matric certificate is an official academic document issued only by authorised government assessment bodies. In South Africa, the regulatory authority Umalusi is responsible for printing and verifying all Senior Certificate and National Senior Certificate results (for exams written from September 1992 onward). Each certificate has unique security features and a verification number that employers, universities, and government agencies can check in seconds.
Because of this:
- Buying a fake certificate is fraud. Presenting it to an employer or educational institution is a criminal offence.
- Penalties can be severe. If caught, you could face heavy fines, a permanent criminal record, or imprisonment.
- Fake certificates are easy to expose. Employers or universities simply contact Umalusi to verify your results.
Can I Buy A Matric Certificate?
- NO, anyone offering to sell you a matric certificate is either scamming you or helping you commit fraud.
Legitimate Reasons for a Matric Certificate Replacement
Needing a new certificate is common and completely understandable. You may have:
- Lost your original in a move or natural disaster.
- Damaged beyond recognition.
- Written matric across more than one exam sitting and need to combine credits into a single qualification.
These are valid reasons, but the only legal way to get a replacement is through the e-Matric e-Re-Issue service on the official government website www.eservices.gov.za
How to Apply for a Replacement Matric Certificate
Umalusi manages replacements for the Senior Certificate (SC) and National Senior Certificate (NSC). Below is the correct process:
Register an Account:
- Visit the e-Government Portal and create a user profile.
- This allows you to manage and track your application online.
Submit Your Request:
- Log in and choose the qualification you need replaced (Senior Certificate, NSC, National Certificate N3, Amended Senior Certificate, ABET Level 4).
- Upload a certified copy of your ID (certified by a commissioner of oaths).
- Upload a signed police affidavit explaining the loss, theft, or damage of your original certificate.
- Select your preferred delivery method: collect in person at Umalusi’s Pretoria office or choose courier delivery (extra fee applies).
Processing Time:
- For certificates issued after September 1992, the normal processing time is 1–6 weeks.
- For certificates issued before November 1992, apply through your provincial Department of Education. Processing is usually 1–3 weeks, and the relevant assessment body will print it.
Collection or Delivery:
- Collect your certificate in person or receive it by courier.
- Remember: once a replacement is issued, your old certificate is cancelled and can no longer be used, even if you later find it.
Tips to Avoid Fake Matric Certificate Scams
Because fake matric certificates for sale often circulate online and on social media, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Never pay anyone claiming to ast-track or sell a certificate.
- Only use the official Umalusi or government e-services website.
- Verify all fees. The only costs are those officially listed by Umalusi, and you pay them through the government platform.
Contact Details
For help or questions, contact Umalusi directly:
- Address: 37 Genl Van Reyneveld St, Brummeria, Pretoria, 0020
- Email: Replacement.Support@umalusi.org.za
- Phone: 012 349 1510
- Anti-Fraud Hotline: 0800 408 409
- Facebook: Umalusi_RSA or UmalusiSA
Buying a matric certificate is illegal and can lead to serious consequences, including fraud charges and a permanent criminal record. Instead of risking your future, use the official process to replace or combine your matric results. Umalusi, through the government’s e-Matric e-Re-Issue service, is the only recognised authority to issue valid Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate (NSC) replacements. By applying through the proper channels, you ensure your qualification remains authentic, verifiable, and accepted by employers, universities, and training institutions across South Africa. Visit the Official UMALUSI Website For More.
OTHER RELATED POST:
