Background Checks confirm that a person or business is who they say they are, using lawful records, public sources and direct verification. Send one request and independent investigators reply with availability and prices.
Say who needs checking and why, and get background check quotes.
Request a Private Investigation QuoteWhat a Background Check Covers
- Identity. ID number, name history and address history.
- Criminal record. A fingerprint-based SAPS check, with the person's written consent.
- Credit and judgments. Credit bureau records, defaults and court judgments, where you have a lawful reason.
- Qualifications. Matric, degrees and professional registrations confirmed with the issuing body.
- Employment and references. Past employers and referees contacted directly.
- Directorships and property. CIPC company records and Deeds Office searches.
- Open sources. News, social media and online footprint.
Who Uses It
Employers vetting staff, landlords checking tenants, people checking a new partner or business contact, and companies checking suppliers or investors before signing.
What to Send First
- The person's full name and, if you have it, ID number.
- What you need confirmed and why.
- Whether the person knows about the check and has given consent.
- When you need the result.
Do not upload ID copies or documents through the request form. The investigator will ask for what is needed.
How It Works
- Scope. You agree which checks are needed and the reason for them.
- Consent. Criminal and credit checks need the person's signed consent.
- Searches. The investigator runs database, registry and source checks.
- Verification. Qualifications, employers and references are confirmed directly.
- Report. You receive a written summary of what was confirmed, what was not and where it came from.
Limits
Investigators can only use records they are lawfully allowed to access. POPIA limits how personal information is collected and used, and nobody can lawfully get bank statements, medical records or phone records without consent or a court order. A clean report means nothing was found in the sources checked, not that nothing exists.
Background Checks Prices
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Basic identity and records check | R550 - R2,000 |
| Standard check with references and qualifications | R1,900 - R6,300 |
| In-depth personal or business background investigation | From R2,500 per case |
| Fingerprint criminal record check, per person | R250 - R600 |
| Investigator hourly rate for extra work | R500 - R2,000 per hour |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Indicative ballpark figures in rand, rounded. They are compiled from prices published by South African investigation firms and typical market rates. They are not our prices or quotations, and no investigator is bound by them. Confirm VAT, travel and what each quotation includes.
Get prices for your check rather than a range. Send one request, with no obligation.
Request a Private Investigation QuoteWhat Affects the Price
- Number of checks. Each record type adds cost.
- Depth. Interviews and source enquiries cost more than database searches.
- Foreign history. Checks in other countries take longer and cost more.
- Turnaround. Urgent results can carry a premium.
Background Checks FAQs
Is a background check legal in South Africa?
Yes, if there is a lawful reason and personal information is handled in line with POPIA. Criminal and credit checks need the person's consent.
How long does a background check take?
Database checks can come back in a day or two. Fingerprint criminal checks and qualification verification can take longer.
Can I check someone without them knowing?
Public records and open sources can be checked without the person's involvement. Criminal record and credit checks need their consent.
What will I receive?
A written report listing each check, the result and the source, so you can see what was confirmed.
Can a check cover someone abroad?
Yes, through partner agencies, but expect longer timelines and higher fees.
Related Services
Request background check quotes through Private Investigators South Africa and compare what each investigator checks, how long it takes and what the report includes.
Private Investigators South Africa is a referral and quote service. We do not carry out investigations and we do not employ investigators. Work is quoted and carried out by independent investigators, and your agreement is with the one you choose. Ask for a written quotation and proof of PSIRA registration before you pay a deposit. No investigator can promise a particular result or that evidence will be accepted by a court.
Background Checks. Describe what you need once and get the best quote, fast.
Request a Private Investigation QuoteGet the Best Quote, Fast
Keep it brief. Do not send ID documents, passwords, intimate images or evidence through this form. Your enquiry is passed only to investigators suited to the job, and you decide whether to go ahead.
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