If your original matric certificate gets damaged or lost, you can apply for a replacement at your nearest Department of Basic Education (DBE) or Provincial Education Department (PED). You need to complete the replacement application form and return the damaged certificate. While you wait for a replacement certificate, you can get a provisional statement of results. Read on to learn everything you want to know about the cost of reprinting your matric certificate
How Much Does It Cost to Reprint Matric Certificate?
If your matric certificate comes with errors or you lose it, you can apply for a replacement at the cost of R164. The new certificate usually takes a few weeks to be processed, so you can apply for a statement of results which costs R57. The fees are subject to change and are valid between 01 April 2026 and 31 March 2026.
How Long Does It Take To Replace a Lost Matric Certificate?
Once you lose your Matric certificate, you must apply for a replacement at your nearest DBE or PED office. The officials will interview you to get the details about what transpired. When you submit your application for a replacement certificate, you can expect to get it between four and six weeks. In the meantime, you will receive a statement of results which can be processed immediately.
However, if your records are not found in the system, it can take longer for the certificate to be processed since all crucial details should be retrieved from the archives. To apply for a replacement certificate, you must visit your local DBE or PED offices with the following documents:
- Original or damaged certificate, but this requirement does not include lost certificates
- An affidavit explaining what happened to your certificate
- ID copy, as well as its certified copy
Pay the required processing fee. Alternatively, you can apply for a replacement certificate online by visiting www.eservices.gov.za. Downloading the application form and sending it by postal order to P. Bag X895, Pretoria is another option you can consider.
Can I Get My Matric Results With My ID Number?
When you complete your matric exams, the next thing is to get your results. The good news is that you can get them from any place as long as you use the appropriate method. Students commonly use the SMS method to get their Matric results. With this option, all you need to do is send your exam number and ID number to 35658. These numbers must have 13 digits, and you should know that a once-off registration of R3 is required for registration of the service. Once you complete registration for the service, you will get your Matric results via SMS when they are available.
The USSD service accessed by dialing *120*35658# is another option you can use to get your Matric results with an ID number. Complete the registration by following the prompts and entering your ID number. Your results will be sent via this platform once you complete the registration process.
Another easy way to check your matric results using your ID number is to download the MatricsMate App and install it on your mobile phone. Enter your exam and ID numbers on the app’s dashboard to access your results when they are released.
How Can I Get My Matric Certificate Quickly?
There is no way you can get your matric certificate quickly since the certification process passes through different stages that cannot be fast-tracked. For instance, if you write your matric exams in November, the process of producing certificates begins after the rechecking and remarking processes during the early months of the following year.
Data sets for certification can only be compiled after all queries and disputes have been resolved. Therefore, certification usually takes place between April and May every year. On the other hand, the certification of supplementary exams takes place in July and August each year. If you are a recent high school graduate, there is no way you can influence the processing time of your matric certificate.
If you lose your matric certificate or it gets damaged, you can apply for a replacement at your local Department of Basic Education or Provincial Education Department. Pay the required processing fee, and you will get your certificate in four to six weeks. However, a statement of results can be processed quickly.
Whether you apply for a replacement certificate online or in person, the processing time is between four and six weeks. You can collect the certificate from the DBE or PED office when it is ready. Alternatively, it will be delivered by courier services to your home.
When applying for issuance of a matric certificate, make sure you provide correct details of your personal information, including the following:
- Application form completed with accurate information
- Certified copy of your ID
- Damaged copy of the certificate
- Payment proof
- An affidavit explaining what happened to your original certificate
If you provide the wrong details, you will not get a new certificate. Missing information on the documents you provide can lead to delays in the processing of your certificate.
How Do I Write an Affidavit for a Lost Certificate?
When you apply for a replacement of a lost certificate, you must also provide an affidavit bearing your name, date, and place, explain the circumstances of losing your original certificate, and it should be signed. You can get a sample affidavit online and ensure you download and print it.
Complete all the relevant sections on the affidavit, which must be signed at a police station. If you don’t know how to complete the affidavit, you can ask for help at the police station. All the documents you provide must be clean and unaltered.
Losing your matric certificate can be devastating, but the good news is that you can get another one. When you apply for a replacement certificate, you can expect to get it in four to six weeks. Individuals cannot determine the certification process of matric results.
