Lost your Matric results and don’t know where to turn? You’re definitely not the only one and the good news is that replacing them is easier than most people think. Whether you need a reprint of your certificate or just want access to your marks, there’s a clear process you can follow.
Here’s what to do step by step:
- Go to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or your Provincial Education Department (PED) they’ll provide you with a form to complete.
- Prepare the required documents, as these must be submitted with your form:
- An affidavit explaining what happened to your lost or damaged certificate
- Your original Matric Certificate (if you still have it)
- Your original ID book
- A certified copy of your ID book
- Alternatively, apply online through the Umalusi application portal. Create an account, select which certificate you need to replace, and upload the same documents listed above in digital format.
- Choose how you want to receive your certificate:
- Collect it from the Umalusi offices in Pretoria (R137.00)Have it couriered to you (R202.00)
Tip: Fees may change over time, so it’s always best to double-check the current costs on the official DBE website or call them directly before applying.
Why You Might Need Your Old Matric Results
Your Matric results aren’t just a reminder of your school days — they can play an important role in your life, even years later. Many people only realise how valuable they are when they suddenly need them for something important.
Here are some of the most common reasons you might need your old results again:
- Job applications – Many employers still request proof of your Matric qualification before they hire you.
- Further studies – Colleges, universities, and training institutions often ask for your Matric results as part of their admission process.Bursaries and funding – If you’re applying for financial aid, you’ll usually need to submit your results.
- Lost or damaged certificates – Accidents happen, but your results remain on record and can be replaced.
- Personal records – Some people simply want a copy of their results as a milestone achievement or to share with family.
No matter the reason, having easy access to your Matric results gives you confidence and peace of mind, knowing you can take advantage of opportunities when they come your way.
You’ve got the steps, you know what’s needed, now it’s your turn. Whether you go through DBE, your province, or Umalusi, take action today and secure your results.
Watch The Principal Of Matric College, Jan Badenhorst, Explain Where To Find Old Matric Results
How To Check Old Matric Results Online?
You can still get your old matric results, even if you finished school a long time ago. The Department of Basic Education keeps a copy of your results, and you can ask them for it. All you need is your ID number and details like the year you wrote your exams.
What to Do If Your Results Are Not Available Online
Sometimes, when you try to check your Matric results online, nothing comes up. This can be frustrating, but it doesn’t mean your results are gone. There are a few reasons why they may not appear, such as older records not being digitised, technical delays on the Department of Basic Education’s system, or even a small error when entering your details.
If your results don’t show online, here’s what you can do:
- Contact the Department of Basic Education (DBE): Provide your ID number and exam details so they can trace your records manually.
- Check with your Provincial Education Department: Each province keeps its own archives of exam results and may assist more quickly.
- Reach out to Umalusi: As the official council responsible for certification, they can help verify and reprint your results.
- Visit your old school or exam centre: Some schools still keep archived records of past learners.
Not finding your results online can feel discouraging, but remember — your records are safely stored. It just means you’ll need to use one of these other methods to get them.
How Long Is A Matric Statement Valid?
Yes, your Matric statement of results expires. This is because its purpose is only meant to be temporary. This is the document you are issued while you wait for your Matric Certificate. Once you receive your Matric Certificate, there is no need to use the statement of results. The Matric Certificate does not expire and can be used forever.
Can I View My Old Matric Results Online?
Yes, you can! If you have internet, you can go online and check your old matric results. Just go to the Department of Basic Education’s website and type in your ID number and the year you wrote your exams. It’s quick, simple, and easy to use.
Can I Check My Matric Results With My ID Number?
Yes, you can check your Matric results using your (ID) Identification Number. This is how you can do it:
- Step 1: Download the MatricsMate Application (App) on your smartphone
- Step 2: Put in your Identification Number (ID)
- Step 3: Add your examination number
- Step 4: As soon as your Matric results are available, you will be able to access them
Where Can I Find My Matric Results?
You can find your Matric results here:
- The High School where you wrote your Matric exam
- The Department of Basic Education (DBE) website
- USSD (dial *120*35658* and enter personal details as required. Finish this process until you get your Matric results. Please take note that the code is subject to change.)
- MatricMates App
- Newspaper
SMS (send your exam number to 35658, and you will receive your Matric results when they are available. SMS fee is R1.50c per SMS and please note that the SMS code and fee are subject to change.)
Your results are closer than you think. Whether you choose DBE, MatricsMate, or a simple SMS, don’t wait another day, check your results now and give yourself the certainty you’ve been looking for.
How Do I Know If I Have Passed Matric?
You can find out whether you have passed Matric based on your Matric results. If you have received one of the following marks, you have passed. These are the minimum requirements you must meet:
Bachelor’s Degree Pass Level
- A minimum of 40% in your home language
- A minimum of 50% in four subjects
- A minimum of 30% in two other subjects
Diploma Pass Level
- A minimum of 40% in your home language
- A minimum of 40% in four subjects
- A minimum of 30% in two other subjects
Higher Certificate Pass Level
- A minimum of 40% in your home language
- A minimum of 40% in two subjects
- A minimum of 30% in four other subjects
National Senior Certificate Pass Level
- A minimum of 40% in your home language
- A minimum of 30% in two other subjects
- A minimum of 30% in three subjects
- One subject can be failed
From the above Matric Pass Levels, the best one to receive is the Bachelor’s Degree Pass. This pass can get you into university or college. However, keep in mind that you must meet the minimum requirements the university sets to study.
Why Is A Bachelor’s Degree Important?
A Bachelor’s Degree Pass is important because it can help you get access to the following:
- Admission into a university
- Admission into the course you want to study at the university
- Access to a bursary
- Acceptance into an internship
- Acceptance into a learnership
Is It Too Late To Improve My Grades?
No, it is never too late to improve and upgrade your Matric marks. Your grades play a huge role in your life. If you have bad grades, you may find it hard to further your studies or find work after matric. It is best to improve your results and have more opportunities available to you.
You can improve your Grades through Matric College. You can do this through our Matric Upgrade Course. You will have enough time and resources to prepare for the Matric exam. The resources include our tutors, study material and grade 12 past exam papers.
When you complete the Upgrade Matric Course, you will be awarded a Matric Certificate.
Your results don’t define your future, but what you do next can. If you didn’t get the pass you hoped for, take the chance to upgrade your marks and give yourself the opportunities you truly deserve.
How Can I Get My Matric Certificate Without Going To School?
You can get your Matric without going to school by studying through distance learning. You will not have to travel to attend any classes.
Distance learning allows you to learn from home. You will get to study in your own space, time and speed. Perfect for those who want to improve their marks during a gap year.
Matric College is a distance learning college that offers many courses. Some of our courses include Matric Courses. Here are the Matric Courses you can enrol for:
What Is The Difference Between An NSC And A Senior Certificate?
Both the NSC and the Amended Senior Certificate are types of matric certificates. They help you move forward in your studies or find a job. But they are made for different people, and how you get them works in different ways.
| National Senior Certificate | Amended Senior Certificate |
|---|---|
| For Grade 12 learners still in school | For adults who are 21 years or older |
| Written at the end of high school | Written by adults who are out of school |
| You go to school full-time | You can study at home or part-time |
| Needs classwork and test marks | No classwork or tests needed |
| Given by the Department of Basic Education | Also given by the Department of Basic Education |
Both certificates are good and accepted in South Africa. You can use them to study further or get a job. The one you choose depends on your age and how you want to study.
Adult Matric Course
You can study the Adult Matric Course if you are 21 or older. This course will provide you with the same knowledge you would gain through Matric in High School. You will have the following to help you in your studies:
- Learning material
- Grade 12 past exam papers
- Tutors
When you are done with the course, you are awarded a Matric Certificate that is the same as the one in High School. You can use this to further your studies or find work after matric.
Rewrite Matric Course
You can study the Matric Rewrite Course if you have failed Matric. This course provides you with the resources you need to study and prepare for your final exam. These resources include:
- Textbook
- Study guide
- Grade 12 past question papers
- Tutors
When you finish this course, you will receive a Matric Certificate. This is the same qualification you would receive in High School.
I’m currently a student at Matric College, they have been of good help and very supportive. They send emails to motivate me to keep on studying, the study materials come in a well packaged boxed and couriered within 3-5 days.They have given me a platform to be able to study with the best textbooks, past exam papers and guidelines.I would really recommend anyone to pick Matric College to anyone who thinks it is too late to study or complete your matric. – Gloire Miteo
Your education doesn’t have to end because you left school years ago or didn’t pass the first time. With distance learning, you can take control of your future, earn your Matric certificate, and finally open the doors to opportunities you’ve always wanted.
People Also Ask
A symbol C means you got between 60% and 69% in your subject. This is a good mark and shows that you understood most of the work. It is the third-best symbol after A and B.
To get a Bachelor’s pass, you need to pass at least 6 out of 7 subjects. You must get 40% or more in your Home Language, 50% or more in four other subjects, and at least 30% in one more subject. This pass can help you apply to study at university.
IEB stands for Independent Examinations Board. This group sets and checks exams for many private schools. Their exams are different from public school ones but are still accepted in South Africa and other countries.
If you lose your matric certificate, you need to write something called an affidavit. This is a short letter that tells what happened.
You take it to the police station and they help you make it official. You will need this letter to get a new certificate.
Here’s how to write it:
- Step 1: Write your name, ID number, and contact details at the top.
- Step 2: Say that your senior certificate is lost and explain when and how it happened.
- Step 3: Say that you have not found the certificate and that everything you wrote is true.
Step 4: Sign the letter at a police station in front of a police officer.
Yes, you can rewrite your Matric, even if it’s been more than 10 years. If you are 21 or older, you can register for the Amended Senior Certificate. This gives you a second chance to finish Matric and move forward with your goals.
A Matric statement is a temporary paper that shows your results. It is valid for six months while you wait for your real certificate. Most jobs and schools will accept it during this time, but you’ll need the official one later.
You can ask for a new Matric certificate online through the Department of Basic Education or Umalusi. You won’t get the certificate as a download, but you can send in your request and follow the progress online. The printed copy will be sent to you once it’s ready.
Yes, you can. Thanks to distance learning, you don’t need to attend a physical school to complete your Matric. Online and correspondence colleges allow you to study from home, access digital resources, and receive support from tutors remotely. You’ll still write the official exams set by the Department of Basic Education, but the studying and preparation can all be done online at your own pace.
A Matric Certificate is the official, permanent document that proves you’ve successfully completed Matric. A Statement of Results is a temporary document that shows your marks while you wait for your certificate. The statement expires, but the Matric Certificate is valid for life and will always be recognised.
Your Matric certificate number is printed on the actual certificate issued by Umalusi. If you’ve lost your certificate, you’ll need to apply for a reprint through the Department of Basic Education, your Provincial Education Department, or Umalusi. Once issued, your reprinted certificate will have the same certificate number as your original.
When you upgrade your Matric, your old results don’t disappear. Instead, Umalusi issues you a new Matric Certificate that reflects your improved marks. This new certificate replaces the old one as your official qualification, but both sets of results remain on record. Employers and institutions will recognise the upgraded certificate as your valid Matric qualification.
Author: Mulisa Nethononda
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: July 25, 2022