How To Re-Issue, Replacement And Combine Your Matric Certificate In South Africa – 2026 Guide

If you need to correct details, replace a lost or damaged matric certificate or combine matric results, the Department Of Basic Education (DBE) – Republic Of South Africa has outlined clear procedures to help you.

This guide explains where to apply, required documents, costs, timelines and contact details – all in one place.

Re – Issue Of A Matric Certificate (Change Of Particulars)

A re-issue applies when you need to correct personal details or administrative errors on your original certificate.

Important Conditions

Candidates are allowed a twelve (12) month period from the date of issue of a certificate to request any corrections.
Change to an original certificate will only be considered if the original certificate (not a replacement) is submitted with the application.
To change a name on a matric certificate, applicants must apply through the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or the relevant Provincial Education Department (PED) by completing the prescribed Re-Issue Application Form.
Applicants are required to visit the nearest DBE or PED office in person, where officials will conduct an interview prior to processing any amendments.
A statement of results may be issued as an interim record while the re-issued certificate is being processed.

Reasons For Re-Issue

1. Administrative Errors

A request for re-issue will be considered within six (6) months after the first certification, and no later than one (1) year after the last examination, provided there is sufficient evidence.
The re-issue applies where errors on the certificate relate to: Subject marks, Subject choices, Changes in results and Personal details.
Such errors must be the result of a registration or administrative mistake by the school or the Department.

2. Alteration Of Gender Description And Gender Status

Where the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs has approved an application in terms of the Alteration of Gender Description and Gender Status Act – 2003, and the individual’s Gender description has been officially amended:

The individual may apply for a re-issue of the certificate through the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or the relevant Provincial Education Department (PED).
The application may include a change of name and/or other personal details, if requested.
The approved changes will also allow for the re-assignment of the Gender description on the Umalusi database.

Documents Required For Re-Issue

Certified copies of the candidate’s with previous and updated Identity Documents.
Detailed sworn statement or affidavit – completed by the candidate.
Original certificate must be amended.
Official letter from the Department of Home Affairs – confirming that, in terms of Section 27(A) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act – 1992 , the individual’s gender description and, where applicable names have been amended.
A completed application form – obtainable from the – Department of Basic Education (DBE) or the relevant Provincial Education Department (PED).

Apply Process For Re – Issue Of A Matric Certificate (Change Of Particulars)

Step 01: Pay the prescribed application fee using one of the following methods:

Postal order at the Post Office.
Cash payment at a DBE or PED office.
Cheque payable to the relevant department.

Step 02: Visit your nearest Department of Basic Education (DBE) or Provincial Education Department (PED) office with the following documents:

Your original National or Senior Certificate – plus a certified copy.
You’re Identity Document (ID) and a certified copy.
A detailed affidavit explaining the reason for the requested alteration.
A confirmation letter from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your birth certificate or If unavailable, you must provide one of this alternatives Clinic card, Baptismal certificate, School report indicating your full name and date of birth.

Alternative Application Method

Download and complete the application form, Post the completed form together with all required supporting documents and proof of payment (postal order or cheque) to – Private Bag X895, Pretoria – 0001.

Processing Time For Re-Issue Of Metric Certificate

The processing period for a Re-Issue of a matric certificate is approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks.

Application Fees For Re-Issue Of Metric Certificate

Re-Issue Certificate (Administrative Errors): R170
Statement of Results: R60
Fees are valid from 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Application Form For Re-Issue Of Metric Certificate

Application Form For Re-Issue Of Metric Certificate Download

Replacement Of A Matric Certificate If Lost Or Damaged

If your original matric certificate has been lost or damaged – you must apply for a replacement certificate through the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or the relevant Provincial Education Department (PED).

The application must be completed using the prescribed Replacement Application Form, which is available from DBE or PED offices or down below.

While waiting for the replacement certificate to be issued, you may request a statement of results to use as an interim record.

If the certificate is damaged, the damaged original must be returned to the DBE or PED as part of the replacement application process.

Apply Process For Replacement Of A Matric Certificate If Lost Or Damaged

Step 01: Pay the prescribed application fee using one of the following methods:

Postal order at the Post Office.
Cash payment at a DBE or PED office.
Cheque payable to the relevant department.

Step 02: Visit your nearest Department of Basic Education (DBE) or Provincial Education Department (PED) office with the following documents:

A sworn affidavit explaining the circumstances of the certificate, specifying whether it was lost or damaged.
The original National/Senior Certificate (required only if the certificate is damaged, not required if it is lost).
A certified copy of the Identity Document (ID).

Alternative Application Method

Processing Time For Replacement Of A Matric Certificate If Lost Or Damaged

The processing period for replacement of a matric certificate if lost or damaged is approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks ( for a records on the system).

If applicant records are not on the system then, it will takes longer than 6 weeks as records needs to be uploaded and updated to the system.

Application Fees For Replacement Of A Matric Certificate If Lost Or Damaged

Replacement matric certificate (if lost or damage): R170
Statement of Results: Additional R60
Fees are valid from 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Application Form For Replacement Of A Matric Certificate If Lost Or Damaged

Application Form For Replacement Of A Matric Certificate If Lost Or Damaged Download

Replacement Of A Matric Certificate For Change Of Status

If you wrote matric in more than one examination sitting and wish to combine your credits to qualify for a National Certificate, such as a Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate (NSC), you must apply for a Replacement Certificate for Change of Status.

The Department of Basic Education does not automatically combine credits from multiple sittings, except in cases where you wrote a supplementary examination was written.

While waiting for the National Certificate to be issued, you may apply for a confirmation statement of results as an interim record to verify your combined credits.

This kind of replacement of certificate as change of status is applicable for students of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Or Grade 11/12.

Apply Process For Replacement Of A Matric Certificate For Change Of Status

Step 01: Pay the prescribed application fee using one of the following methods:

Postal order at the Post Office.
Cash payment at a DBE or PED office.
Cheque payable to the relevant department.

Step 02: Visit your nearest Department of Basic Education (DBE) or Provincial Education Department (PED) office with the following documents:

Your results from all examination sittings.
Original Identity Document (ID) along with a certified copy.
Proof of payment for the application.

Alternative Application Method

Processing Time For Replacement Of A Matric Certificate For Change Of Status

The processing period for replacement of a matric certificate for change of status is approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks. But, the combination statement of results is obtain immediately.