Applying For A Re-issue Of A Matric Certificate

By Klnam Kurt •  Updated: 01/23/24 •  5 min read

Losing your matric certificate can cost you, as well as replacing it. But after you lose your matric, what then can you do to get a new one? Why would people want to replace the lost matric certificate?

Once the need comes for you to apply for a re-issue of your matric certificate, there are certain procedures one needs to follow. And because the Department of Education made plans for a re-issue, the process has become simple and less stressful. 

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The matric certificate is a major document in almost every South African’s life. This certificate ushers them into a different dimension in education and life. As we know, the matric certificate is issued after the completion of your grade 12 exams in high school. This confirms you wrote your matric exams and completed all the needed requirements.

Whether you failed in a subject or not, your matric certificate is still yours and will be issued to you. 

Because of the high significance of the matric certificate, individuals who lose it are always in a hurry to replace it or apply for a re-issue. In South Africa, a matric certificate gives you the chance to be employed and also be enrolled in tertiary. 

Are you looking to apply for a re-issue of your matric certificate? Keep reading more as we will be giving you a guide on applying for a re-issue of the matric certificate and other details surrounding it.

Applying for a Re-issue of a Matric Certificate

Re-issuing means making a new copy or updating a document, usually because it was lost, damaged, or needs to be updated. Regarding matric certificates, a re-issue happens when someone requests a new copy or a replacement of their original high school graduation certificate. It may be necessary to obtain a new certificate if the original one is lost, damaged, or contains incorrect information. To get a replacement certificate that proves your educational achievements, you need to apply for re-issue at the Department of Education.

The South African government, which regulates all institutions under the ministry, like the Department of Education, has the mandate to issue a new matric certificate to you.

To apply for the re-issue of a matric certificate, you need to visit the Department of Education office within your province. 

You will be provided with a form to fill out; once done, the officer will review the form and interview you to understand the need for the re-issue. These are part of the protocols to ensure the right thing is done at the right time. 

As part of the process to apply for a re-issue of your matric certificate, here are some supporting documents that you need to have.

How much does it cost to re-issue a matric certificate?

Reissuing a matric certificate comes with its cost. This cost is not to serve as some sort of punishment for those who may have lost, damaged or destroyed their matric certificate. 

The cost involved in re-issuing a matric certificate falls within the operational expenses of the Department of Education. When your matric certificate is issued to you upon completion, you are required to keep it safe. However, there are moments of circumstances that are beyond our capabilities, and we end up losing this certificate.

Now when you put in an application to get a re-issue, the cost only facilitates the administration and reprinting of a new certificate. The amount paid for a re-issue is not a penalty charge. The Department of Education charges R141.00 to re-issue a matric certificate. Any individual looking to know the cost must have in mind that the amount which is charged at R141.00 covers the administrative cost of the matric certificate. This amount can be paid at the bank or through EFT. 

This amount of R141.00 as the cost to re-issue matric certificates is subject to change based on operational expenses and inflation. It is important to be well adverse about the future cost of getting a new matric certificate.

How long does the re-issue of the matric certificate take?

Are you in a hurry to get your matric certificate? Do you wish to know the timeline for the re-issue of a matric certificate?

For those who have lost their matric certificate, there is a chance for you to apply. The time it takes to get a re-issue of the matric certificate does not include the time of discovery of the lost certificate. The timeline involved in the re-issuing of your matric certificate begins the moment your application is accepted through to the point the new certificate is issued to you. The Department of Education serves a lot of South Africans every day when it comes to the re-issuing of matric certificates. Typically, it takes around four to six weeks for a certificate to be issued. You can keep a copy of your receipt as a piece of evidence to pick up your matric certificate when it is ready.

What happens if you lose your matric certificate?

Losing your matric certificate can be devastating. And this can be detrimental to individuals looking to submit their certificate as evidence for scholarships, admission,s and others.

If you lose your matric certificate, the first thing is to make a report at the police station. This will facilitate the process and inform others about submitting any seen certificate.

Losing your matric certificate does not end there; you can put in an application to get a reissue. 

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