How To Get Your Matric Certificate

After completing your Matric, there will come a time when you will want to get your Matric certificate. Here is where you can get your Matric certificate:

  • The examination centre where you wrote your Matric or
  • The school where you wrote your Matric

How Do I Replace My Matric Certificate?

If you have lost or damaged your original Matric certificate, you will have to apply for a replacement certificate. You can apply in person at any Department of Basic Education (DBE) offices. You can also apply online on the official Umalusi application portal.

Here is what you will need for you application:

  • An affidavit stating what happened
  • The original national/ senior certificate (if it is damaged) A certified copy of your ID
  • Proof of payment

Payment will vary depending on whether you apply in person or online, and whether you collect it in person or have it couriered to you. To apply in person, it will cost R153,00. To apply online and collect it yourself from the Umalusi offices in Pretoria, it will cost R137,00, and to apply online and have it couriered to you will cost R202,00. Note that these fees are only valid for the 2022 – 2023 financial year, and are subject to change in the new financial year.

When applying in person, you can take the physical documents with you. When applying online, you will need to upload scanned copies of the documents.

In order to apply online, you must first register and select which certificate you need replaced. Once you have done that, you will need to upload the scanned copies of your documents. Then select whether you will collect the certificate in person at the Umalusi offices in Pretoria, or if you would like the certificate to be couriered to you.

How Do I Get My Matric Results?

There are basically five ways that you can use to get your Matric results. Here is what you can do:

  • Online
  • School or exam centre
  • News publications
  • SMS
  • USSD

Online

Here is how you can get your Matric Certificate results:

  1. Step 1: Visit the Department of Basic Education website
  2. Step 2: Click on exam results
  3. Step 3: Enter your examination number
  4. Step 4: Fill in your personal details
  5. Step 5: Click search
  6. Step 6: Your matric results will be displayed

School Or Exam Centre

You can get your results from the school or examination centre where you wrote your exams. You will be issued a statement of your results.

News Publications

You can also obtain your results from online news publications. Here are some of the publications that publish Matric results:

  • News24
  • Sowetan

SMS

As a student, you can also retrieve your Matric results by SMSing your exam number to 45856. Once your exam number is verified by the system, your results will be displayed. You will pay for the SMS.

USSD

Here is what you do:

  • On your phone, dial the USSD code *120*35658#
  • Enter your exam number
  • results will then be sent to your phone once they are available
  • You will be charged for the USSD

What Is A Matric Certificate?

A Matric certificate is also referred to as A National Senior Certificate or Amended Senior certificates, issued to students who you have met the requirements of obtaining the Matric Certificate. There are different types of Matric certificates depending on the level of achievement. They are:  

National Senior Certificate Pass

This Matric certificate requires the following :

  • 40% minimum for your home language
  • 40% for another 2 subjects
  • You can fail a subject – even your first additional language
  • You must then get 30% or more for the other 6 making a total of 6 passes

Higher Certificate Pass

This Matric certificate requires the following:

  • 40% for your Home Language.
  • At least 40% in two other subjects.
  • A minimum of 30% for three other subjects.
  • One of the two language requirements to qualify for a Higher Certificate

Diploma Pass

This Matric certificate requires the following:

  • 40% in the home language
  • 40% for the three other high credit subjects, excluding the home language
  • 30% for two, other languages

Bachelor’s Degree Pass

This Matric certificate requires the following:

  • 40% for your home language
  • A minimum of 50% for four other high credit subjects
  • At least 30% for two other subjects

How Can I Get My Matric Certificate Quickly?

If you want to get your Matric certificate quickly, you can study for an Adult Matric, here is the course information:

Certificate TypeSenior Certificate
Awarded ByUmalusi
NQF LevelLevel 4
SAQA ID49647
Credits120 Credits
Duration12 – 36 Months recommended

Here is what you need to do:

  • Contact one of our course experts
  • As soon as you register, you will receive your textbooks and study notes within 5 -7 days
  • Come up with a realistic timetable
  • Stick to your study timetable
  • Attempt your first assignment and more thereafter
  • Interact with your tutor by discussing the challenges you may be having
  • Interact with fellow students in online study groups
  • Practice with past exam papers
  • Get exam tips
  • Write your exam
  • Pass your Matric
  • Get your Matric Certificate

How Can I Get My Matric Statement Online?

Here is how you can get your Matric statement online:

  1. Step 1: Visit the Department of Basic Education website
  2. Step 2: Click on exam results
  3. Step 3: Enter your examination number
  4. Step 4: Fill in your personal details
  5. Step 5: Click search
  6. Step 6: Your matric results will be displayed

Can I Get My Matric Results With My ID Number?

Yes, you can get your Matric results online with your ID number. When you log on to the Department of Basic Education website, you will be required to provide some personal information. This personal information includes your 13-digit ID. Your exam number will also be required.

How Much Does It Cost To Get My Matric Certificate?

There is no charge for collecting your certificate after you have completed your Matric. The cost for both a replacement certificate and a combination of results is R164. You will to make a bank, ATM deposit or EFT. These fees were valid from 01 April 2023 until 31 March 2024.

Where Do You Collect Your Matric Certificate?

When you have applied for a replacement certificate through the Department of Basic Education, you can collect it from their offices when the replacement is done. 

When you have completed your Matric, you can collect your certificate from the centre where you wrote your exams or from the school where you wrote your exams.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Matric Certificate?

When you have applied for a replacement certificate either due to the fact that your original one has been lost or damaged, you will have to wait for about four to six weeks before the replacement is done. 

However, If your records are not on the system, it will take longer as records needs to be retrieved from the Archives and loaded on the system.

How Long Are Matric Results Valid?

Matric results do not have an expiry date. Matric results are valid for as long as you live. If you lose your certificate, you can get it replaced through the Department of Basic Education.

What Does The Following Codes On My Statement Of Results Mean?

  • An NSC/BACH – National Senior Certificate, qualifies to study towards a Bachelor degree
  • NSC/DIP – National Senior Certificate, qualifies to study towards a diploma
  • NSC/HC – National Senior Certificate, qualifies to study towards a higher certificate
  • NSC – Achieved the National Senior Certificate only
  • NSC/LSEN – National Senior Certificate, a learner with special educational needs
  • NOT ACHIEVED – does not qualify for National Senior Certificate
  • INCOMPLETE – subject package of 6/ 7 (depending on curriculum) not offered
  • CODES
  • 999 – absent
  • 888 – subject change
  • 777 – outstanding mark
  • zz – ending (irregularity)
  • px – null and void (irregularity)
  • mo – marks outstanding

Is A Matric Certificate A Qualification?

Yes, a Matric is a qualification. Here  is what a Matric qualifies you for:

  • Further education
  • Learnerships
  • Entry-level employment

People Ask Questions

Matric College offers Diplomas in the form of our NATED courses. These courses require a matric certificate, and allow you to study your chosen course from NQF level 4 to NQF level 6, with the final qualification being an 18-month practical where you gain real world experience.

Yes, the adult matric course covers grade 10,11 and 12, and allows anyone over the age of 21 that has a grade 9 certificate to be able to study for 3 years and gain their matric certificate.

Umalusi combines your matric results if you are someone who wrote their matric exams more than once. The results from all attempts will be considered, but the marks of each subject will be the highest ones you achieved from all your certificates.

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 27, 2022