SAPS 523a remittance advice application

SAPS & firearms

Use this remittance advice during payment for a firearm application. The DFO handling your application issues it. It records the police station, application type and payment details. Read those entries to understand what the advice relates to before following its payment instructions.

Official downloads

E523awww.saps.gov.za

How to use it

Check the police station entry In section A, look for Police station where application was captured. This field identifies the police station connected with capturing the application. It helps you read the station particulars recorded on the advice.
Check the application type Section B includes Type of application. Read this entry to see the type of application received. It is separate from the payment details recorded later on the form.
Find the payment reference Section D contains a line labelled FCS application reference No. Read it as the reference entry in the payment details. Keep it distinct from the amount line beside it when checking the advice.
Read the amount entry Section D also contains Amount to be paid R -. Check the amount printed on your advice. This page does not give a fee value, so use the entry on the advice for your application.
Pay and return the receipt The DFO issues the advice and directs you to the financial office at the police station. Pay the prescribed fee by cash or a bank-guaranteed cheque. You will receive receipt (Z263) as proof of payment; submit it to the DFO so processing can continue.

Document checklist

Remittance advice Check that you have the advice headed REMITTANCE ADVICE FOR FIREARM APPLICATIONS. The DFO handling the firearm application issues it. Keep it available while you check the application and payment entries.
Payment proof After paying, keep receipt (Z263). It is proof of payment. You must submit it to the DFO so processing of the application can continue.
Application submission proof Keep the signed acknowledgement of receipt (SAPS 523) with your application records. It is proof that you submitted an application for a licence to possess a firearm. This is a separate proof from the payment receipt.

Questions & answers

Is the remittance advice proof that I paid?

The payment proof described here is receipt (Z263). Submit that receipt to the DFO so processing can continue.

What does the signed acknowledgement prove?

The signed acknowledgement of receipt (SAPS 523) is proof that you submitted an application for a licence to possess a firearm. The payment receipt has a different stated purpose: it proves payment.

Can I pay by card or electronic transfer?

The stated payment methods are cash or a bank-guaranteed cheque. The payment instruction names these methods for the prescribed fee.

Where does the DFO send me to pay?

The DFO directs you to direct you to the financial office at the police station after issuing the remittance advice. Pay there, then submit your payment receipt to the DFO.

Does the advice give a general fee amount?

The advice has a payment line labelled Amount to be paid R -. Check the amount entered on your advice; this page does not state a general fee value.

Are the payment reference and amount the same field?

No. Section D has a line labelled FCS application reference No and a separate line labelled Amount to be paid R -. Read each entry as its own part of the payment details.

More help

Sources

SAPS (South African Police Service)

e523a.pdf