Free Family Support

Not sure where to start? 

UCS Africa offers free documentation support to eligible families and others directly affected by the disappearance of children and young people who were 18 years of age or younger at the time of disappearance.

The disappearance must have been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Requests are considered individually, subject to eligibility, appropriate authority, safeguarding requirements and available capacity.

Recent and Historical Cases

There is no fixed time limit for preliminary enquiries.

UCS Africa may consider both recent and historical disappearances, including cases where the missing person would now be an adult.

The availability of reliable information, appropriate authority, safeguarding considerations and UCS's capacity will determine whether documentation support can be offered.

An older missing-person notice does not necessarily establish that the person remains missing. UCS assesses available authoritative information before describing a person's current status.

How we can help

Depending on the information available, support may include:

• Preparing a timeline of events

• Writing a short factual summary

• Organising relevant records and correspondence

• Identifying gaps, discrepancies or unanswered questions in the available information

Families may share these documents with SAPS or other appropriately authorised professionals.

This is documentation support, not an investigation.

Who can enquire?

Parents, guardians, relatives or others directly affected may submit a preliminary enquiry.

You do not need to know exactly what assistance you require before contacting us.

Before providing documentation support, UCS will assess eligibility, appropriate authority and safeguarding requirements.

How to contact us

Preliminary Support Enquiries

If you are seeking free documentation support, please complete our online preliminary enquiry form.

Provide only your name, contact email address and a brief, non-sensitive explanation of why you are contacting UCS.

Open Preliminary Support Enquiry Form

Alternatively, you may contact us by email:

verification@ucsafrica.co.za

Email subject: FREE FAMILY SUPPORT ENQUIRY

Submitting an enquiry does not mean UCS has accepted a case for review or agreed to provide assistance.

Important safeguarding notice

Please do not send confidential case records, photographs, identity numbers, residential addresses, identifying information about missing persons or witness details at this stage.

Do not publish personal or case information in social media comments.

UCS does not conduct criminal investigations or provide emergency-response services.

If someone is in immediate danger, contact SAPS or the appropriate emergency authority directly.