Applying for a Matric Certificate Replacement

If you lost or damaged your Matric certificate, you should apply for a replacement, as this certificate is essential when applying to university, for bursaries and even for jobs.

Umalusi (the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training) has introduced a newly implemented online application system to replace lost or damaged matric certificates.

Users can access this platform from their smartphone, laptop, computer or tablet and apply directly to Umalusi to replace lost or damaged matric certificates, saving both time and money.

Umalusi replaces Senior Certificates and National Senior Certificates dated from September 1992.

How much does it cost to replace a Matric certificate?

For R137, individuals obtain a replacement certificate from Umalusi within two working days of their application.

Individuals also have the option of paying R202 to get their certificate sent to them (i.e. R137 for the certificate, R65 for courier fees.) Should they choose this option, the certificate will be sent to their chosen South African physical address within seven working days.

These fees are applicable as of 1 April 2023 and are subject to update.

How to apply for a Matric certificate replacement?

First, you will need to visit the Umalusi website

Once you are on the Umalusi website, follow these steps:
1. Register your account (this will help you keep track of and manage your request).

2. Create a request: Be sure to select the certificate you are wanting to replace, such as:

National Certificate Vocational
National Certificate (N3)
National Senior Certificate
Senior Certificate
General Further Education Certificate
Amended Senior Certificate
ABET Level 4

3. Be sure to include your relevant documentation, such as:

An Affidavit: This must be signed at a police station stating the status of your original certificate (e.g. stolen, damaged, etc).
A copy of your Identity Document: This must be a certified copy from a commissioner of oaths at a police station/ attorneys office.

4. Choose a delivery method: You can either collect your certificate at the Umalusi Pretoria Office, or choose to have it delivered via courier service.

What is Umalusi?

Umalusi sets and monitors the standards for general and further education and training within the country. The organization consists of three quality councils for education, namely: the Quality Council for Trades Occupations (QCTO), Council on Higher Education (CHE) and Umalusi.

Umalusi plays an important role in the quality council for education in the country, ensuring that all matric certificates meet the standards set by the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). When a student’s certificate meets these standards, it will be deemed accredited.

Umalusi also has the responsibility of verifying qualifications that are registered through the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Framework. This means that students who complete Matric through an adult learning center would then need to register for their exams through the Department of Education.

Some important things to note:

Certificates can not be issued on the same day the application has been submitted as certificates generally take one to six weeks to process.
Requests for replacement certificates before November 1992 can be obtained from any of the Departments of Education with the same procedure followed. It’s important to note that this certificate will be printed by the relevant Assessment Body and not Umalusi. Processing certificates dated before November 1992 will generally take one to three weeks.
Once you have obtained your replacement certificate, the previous one will be canceled. Should you find your old certificate (and be in possession of a new one), the old will no longer be valid.

What qualifications are certified by Umalusi?

AB4: Adult Basic Education and Training Level 4
ASC: Amended Senior Certificate
GET: General and Further Education Certificate
G12: Senior Certificate (Ended 2007)
SSC: National Senior Certificate (From 2008)
NCV: National Certificate Vocational (Level 2 – 4)
NSC: National Senior Certificate

I have a question – who can assist?

Please contact Umalusi directly with any queries relating to Matric certificate replacement:
Email: Replacement.Support@umalusi.org.za
Tel: 012 349 1510

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