I lost my matric certificate: How do I get a replacement?

If you lost your Matric Certificate, you can replace it. All you need to do is to contact the Department of Basic Education, they will assist you to replace it.

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Last Updated : March 19, 2024

Lost your Matric Certificate? Your Matric Certificate can be replaced. You can apply for your Matric Certificate either in person, or online. You can apply in person at any Department of Basic Education offices. You can apply online on the official Umalusi application portal. Here is what you will need to get a replacement:

  • An affidavit stating what happened to your Matric Certificate – An affidavit is a written statement made under oath before a Commissioner of Oaths. A Commissioner of Oaths is someone given the authority to bear and acknowledge witness to a legal statement. When you prepare an affidavit for your lost Matric Certificate, you are swearing that the document contains the truth. You are also aware that you will be prosecuted if it is found that the contents of the affidavit or parts of it are not correct. An affidavit can be made at any police station, where you will be given a form to complete
  • A certified copy of your identity document (ID) – This is to prove that you are who you say you are
  • Proof of payment – For your lost Matric Certificate to be processed, you will need to pay a fee. For the 2022 – 2023 financial year, the fee for a lost Matric Certificate is R 153.00 if you apply in person. if you apply online, the fee will be R137.00 if you collect it yourself, or R202.00 if you choose to have it couriered to you. Note that these fees are for the 2022 – 2023 financial year, and can change after this financial year.

To apply online, you will need to create an account, and select which certificate you want to replace. Once you have done this, you will need to upload scanned copies of the above documents. Then, choose whether you want to collect the replacement yourself from the Umalusi offices in Pretoria, or if you would like it couriered to you. Couriering does include an extra fee, which will depend on the courier used.

How Long Does It Take To Reprint A Lost Matric Certificate?

It can take between four (4) to six (6) weeks to replace your Matric Certificate. However, you must bear in mind that it can take longer if your records are not on the system. This means that your records will have to be retrieved from the archives. 

How Do I Find My Matric Certificate Number?

You can find your Matric Certificate number on the right-hand side of the bottom corner of your Matric Certificate. Your Matric Certificate also contains a barcode that matches your Matric Certificate number. This number is specific to every candidate.

Can I Combine My Matric Results?

Yes, you can combine your Matric results. Here are the steps that you will need to take to combine your Matric results:

  1. First register as a user of the www.eservices.gov.za if not already registered
  2. Log in
  3. Go to – e-service
  4. Fill in the necessary details
  5. Upload the following documents:

    1. Your results from all examination sittings (if you are applying for the combination of your results)
    2. Copies of the Matric results that you want combined
    3. A certified copy of your identity document (ID)
    4. Proof of payment

Can I Change My ID Number On My Matric Certificate?

Yes, you can change your ID number on your Matric Certificate. Here are the steps that you need to take:

  • Go to your nearest Department of Basic Education (DBE) Provincial or District office and fill in the application form
  • Attach the following documents:
    • Certified copies of old and new Identity Documents
    • A detailed sworn statement (affidavit) 
    • Your original Matric Certificate
    • A letter from the Department of Home Affairs confirming that the Department has changed your ID number 
    • Proof of payment

How Can I Check My Matric Results Online?

Here are the ways that you can use to check your Matric results:

  • Department of Basic Education Website
  • Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)
  • Short Messaging Service (SMS) 
  • MatricsMate App

Department Of Basic Education Website

Here is how you can check your Matric results online on the Department of Basic Education Website:

  1. Visit the Department of Basic Education website
  2. Click on –  Exam results
  3. Enter your examination number
  4. Fill in your personal details
  5. Click – Search
  6. Your Matric results will be displayed

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)

Take the following steps to check your Matric results:

  1. On your phone, dial the USSD code *120*45856# 
  2. Enter your exam number
  3. Results will then be sent to your phone once they are available
  4. You will be charged for the USSD 

Note: the USSD code is subject to change

Short Messaging Service (SMS)

Take the following steps to check your Matric results:

  1. Open a new SMS message on your phone
  2. Fill in your ID Number and Exam Number as the message
  3. Both numbers must have 13 digits to be accepted
  4. Send the SMS to this number: 35658
  5. Your exam number and ID number will be checked 
  6. View your results

Note: You will be charged for the USSD and the code is subject to change

MatricsMate App

Take the following steps to check your Matric results:

  1. Download the MatricsMate App for free from Google Play and Apple App stores
  2. Open the App
  3. Enter the following details:
    1. ID number
    2. Exam number
  4. View your results

How Much Does It Cost To Do A Matric Rewrite?

To find out the cost of rewriting your Matric at Matric College, you will need to contact our Course Experts. There are a lot of factors that can influence the cost of rewriting your Matric especially the amount of subjects that you would like to improve. All these factors will be taken into account before coming up with the cost. 

Can I Rewrite My Matric After 10 Years?

Yes, you can rewrite Matric after 10 years. There is no restriction to the number of years prior to the last Matric that you can rewrite. There is also no restriction on the number of times that you can rewrite your Matric. 

What Are The 4 Types Of Matric Certificates?

Here are the four (4) types of Matric Certificates:

  1. Bachelor’s Degree Pass Certificate
  2. Diploma Pass Certificate
  3. Higher Certificate Pass Certificate
  4. National Senior Certificate

What Course Can I Do Without Matric?

Here are the courses that you can study without Matric:

Apply now

How Do I Register With Matric College?

Here are the ways four (4) ways that you can register with Matric College:

Contact Our Course Experts

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: August 25, 202