How to Get a Matric Certificate Fast

By Trev Gami •  Updated: 01/23/24 •  6 min read

Matric is crucial in the student’s education in South Africa since it determines their future career. Many professions require tertiary education, and a Matric pass is the get way into the future. Therefore, a matric certificate is a valuable career document you must have. However, getting a Matric Certificate fast in South Africa is always challenging for other people. Read on to learn how you can obtain your certificate quickly. 

How to Get a Matric Certificate Fast

When Matric results are released, you will first get a provisional statement while you wait for your certificate. Unfortunately, there is no quick way to get a Matric Certificate if you are fresh from high school. The initial certification process cannot be fast-tracked. Therefore, you need to be patient. 

However, if you lose your original Matric certificate or it gets damaged, you can apply for another one at the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or Provincial Education Department (PED). You can also apply for a replacement certificate online via the e-services portal. To use this option, you must first create an account on the DBE’s official website. The Matric re-issue application comes with a fee. Once you complete the application form, you must attach other necessary documents, such as your copy of your ID, damaged certificate, proof of payment, and an affidavit explaining what happened to your original certificate and why you need another one.  

The processing time for Matric certificate replacement usually takes between four and six weeks. When the certificate is ready, you can collect it at the DBE office, or it will be delivered to you. A home delivery service attracts an additional fee.    

Get NSC When You Have Already Left School

If you are one of the millions of South Africans who struggle to get meaningful employment due to lack of Matric qualification, you should not worry. You can get a National Senior Certificate (NSC) after leaving school and enjoying a brighter future. People over 21 years can obtain the revised Senior certificate via the Department of Basic Education. 

If accepted into the program, you must choose six subjects, two of which must be official languages. Other subjects you can choose from include Mathematics, Life Orientation, Physical Sciences, Maths Literacy, Geography, Life Sciences, Accounting, History, Business Studies, Economics, and Agricultural Science.

Alternatively, you can get your Matric qualification by considering an upgrade course even when you are out of school. Matric upgrade is available for people who are above 21 years and want to improve their passes in certain subjects. You can also get a National Senior Certificate through distance learning. 

How Long Does It Take To Do Matric Certificate?

A Matric Certificate is also known as the National Senior Certificate (NSC) in South Africa, and it is awarded to students who excel in their Grade 12 examinations in High School. To complete an NSC in high school, it takes three years. Matric consists of studies conducted in Grades 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12. All candidates must pass the studies offered in these grades to obtain their Matric Certificate.    

If you choose to obtain your NSC via Matric upgrade, this can take 12 to 24 months, depending on your level of preparedness for the exams. Other people can even take up to three years to complete their Matric through a matric upgrade.  

If you have lost your Matric Certificate or it gets damaged, you can apply for another one via the Department of Basic Education. The process usually takes between four and six weeks.    

Where Can I Do My Matric Certificate?

Depending on whether you want to apply for a new certificate or do a Matric course to obtain a certificate, there are different options you can consider. If you want a replacement for your matric certificate, you can submit your application at the Department of Basic Education or apply for a re-issue online. To apply online, you must first register at www.eservices.gov.za.    

You need to pay a replacement application fee, complete the application form, and provide an affidavit explaining why you need another certificate, an original copy of a damaged certificate, and a copy of your ID book. Send these documents to this address: Private bag X895, Pretoria, 0001.

You can apply via the Umalusi application portal if you want a replacement certificate. Create an account on the portal and choose a link with the certificate you want to replace. Scan the above documents and submit them together with your application and payment proof. You can collect your certificate after about four to six weeks at the Umalusi office in Pretoria, or it will be delivered to your place. 

If you want to obtain your Matric certificate for the first time, you can do this in high school. You’ll be expected to study seven subjects, and you will be awarded the certificate when you pass all the subjects. Remember, you can only study Matric in high school when you are below 21 years, and you must have a Grade 11 qualification.

People who are above 21 years can apply for a Matric upgrade program or adult matric course. You must have passed Grade 9 or equivalent, or you want to improve the Matric results you already have. This option allows you to study via distance learning, but exams are written at designated centers in different places across the country. You will be awarded a Matric certificate upon completion of the course. 

 Matric rewrite is another alternative that can help you do your Matric Certificate. This option is specifically meant to help individuals who had done Matric before and failed. A supplementary exam helps them improve their grades.   

How Can I Get My Matric Results Quickly?

You can get your Matric results quickly by checking online. Follow the steps below to use this option.

You can also check your Matric results via mobile phone by using the SMS or USSD method. You can register for the SMS service by sending your exam number to 45856. Once registered, you’ll get a confirmation email, and the service costs R1.50. When the results are out, you will get an SMS on your mobile phone. The USSD service is another quick method to get your Matric results. Dial *120*45856# to register and enter your exam number. The service costs R1.50 per minute. When the results are available, they will be sent to your mobile phone. 

A Matric certificate is a crucial document you must have to pursue other career options after high school. There are different options you can consider to get your Matric Fast. If you lose your original document, you can apply for a replacement via the Department of Basic Education.   

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