Every year, Umalusi sends subject certificates and senior certificates to different institutions where the candidates matriculated. Students can also get statements of results from their respective centers where they wrote exams. Institutions are responsible for issuing results and certificates to students as well as keeping them safe. However, some individuals fail to claim their matric results for various reasons. Read on to learn more about what happens to unclaimed matric results.
What Happens to Unclaimed Matric Results?
All unclaimed matric results are kept at the respective institutions where the students wrote their exams. Schools are responsible for issuing certificates to students and safekeeping. However, some provinces like the Western Cape have challenged this status quo and issued Circular 110/2003, instructing schools to return unclaimed subject certificates and Senior Certificates to the Western Cape Education Department.
All unclaimed matric results must be returned to the department within six months of receiving them. They should be submitted together with a list of collected certificates. The main issue is that students can still apply for new certificates from the WCED even if they have not collected them from their respective schools.
Where Can I Get My Unclaimed Matric Certificate?
If you have not yet claimed your matric certificate, you must first go to your school to check if it is there. Schools have the responsibility of keeping records, including results statements for public examinations. However, if you don’t find your certificate at your institution, you can check with your local Department of Basic Education. You can get more details about your unclaimed certificate from the department.
How Do I Get My Old Matric Results?
You can obtain your old matric results via the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or the Provincial Education Department (PED). If you completed your matric before 1992, you need to follow the steps below to get your old results.
- Go to your nearest DBE or PED offices
- The officials at the offices will give you a form to complete.
- When you have completed the form, you must submit it together with an affidavit explaining the circumstances surrounding your old certificate.
- Submit a certified copy of your ID but make sure you have an original book.
- Provide an original certificate if damaged, but this provision does not apply to lost certificates.
When you have applied for a matric certificate which usually takes up to six weeks to be processed, you can obtain a result statement. This statement is processed while you wait.
Alternatively, you can also get your old matric results from Umalusi. You need to first create your account on https://www.umalusi-online.org.za/replacementcertificate/account/register. Use your account to apply for a new matric certificate. You must scan the above documents to upload them in digital format. The application fee is R137 if you want to collect the certificate from the Umalusi offices in Pretoria or R202 if you want it to be delivered to your home.
Can I Get My Matric Results With My ID Number?
There are different methods you can use to get matric results using your ID number. You can do this by downloading the MatricsMate Application and installing it on your smartphone. Open the app’s dashboard and add your ID number, and examination number to create and register your account. Once the matric results have been released, you will get them on your device via the app.
The second option requires you to send an SMS with your ID number and exam number to 35658. Each SMS comprises a once-off cost of R3, and once you’re registered, your matric results will be sent by SMS to your mobile number when they’re released by the DBE. Be sure to be in a place with access to your mobile operator’s network.
The USSD service is another method that allows you to get your matric results using your ID number. To register for the service, dial *120*35658# and follow the prompts on your mobile phone. The service comes with once-off costs, but you will get your results whenever they are available. You can opt out of the service to protect your privacy once you get your matric results.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Lost Matric Certificate?
When you apply for a lost matric certificate from Umalusi, you should expect to get it within six weeks. The process might take longer, especially when the records are unavailable on the system. They must be retrieved from the archives first and then loaded into the system. However, a result statement is offered immediately while you wait for the certificate.
To avoid delays in getting your matric certificate, make sure your application is complete. Download an application form from the Umalusi website and complete it. Make sure you scan the application form, which you must upload together with the following documents.
- A signed affidavit from the police explaining what happened to your original certificate
- Certified copy of your ID, and you may need to carry an original document
- Proof of payment of the administration fee for processing a new request
You should double-check your application to ensure that it is error-free before submitting it. Never alter the documents you attach to your application for a new certificate. Moreover, once you apply for a new certificate, the previous one is canceled in the system. Even if you find the old certificate believed to be lost, it would be invalid when an application for a new one is received and processed.
If you have not yet claimed your matric certificate, you must check with your school first. When you fail to get it, this means it might have been returned to the DBE. You can visit your local Department of Education to get the certificate. You can also apply for a replacement from Umalusi or the DBE by following simple steps. However, it can take up to six weeks to process a new certificate. A statement of results is processed instantly.
