How to get a police certificate – China

If you need to give your fingerprints for a police certificate, this isn’t the same as giving your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) for an application.

Names of the documents you need

  • Notary Certificate of No Criminal Convictions (issued by the notary public office) and
  • a notarized translation of the certificate

Police certificate and IRCC requirements

You must provide a police certificate when you apply for

  • permanent residence
  • citizenship
  • some temporary residence programs

Check your application package or instructions for details.

How to apply

If you’re a citizen of China

If you live in China

You must apply at the

  • notary public office or
  • your local police station
    • closest to the address on your hukou bookletFootnote *

The application process differs from city to city. Ask your local office how to apply. You can also nominate a representative to apply on your behalf.

If you apply at the notary public office

  1. Apply for an official request document at the foreign-related notary public office.
  2. Bring the official request document, complete an application form at your local police station or through the online platform and apply for a No Criminal Record Certificate.
  3. You must go back to the notary public office to apply for the Notary Certificate of No Criminal Convictions and bring
    • your original No Criminal Record Certificate from your local police station
    • your valid national ID card

The notary public office will keep your original No Criminal Record Certificate and issue a Notary Certificate of No Criminal Convictions with a notarized translation.

Using a representative

You can appoint an immediate family member to apply for a police certificate on your behalf. They’ll need

  • their national ID card
  • a signed notarized authorization letter from you
    • available from the office where you apply
  • their original permanent residence registration (hukou) bookletFootnote **
  • all of your required documents
If you live outside China

The application process differs from city to city. Ask your local office how to apply. Most places in China will let you appoint an immediate family member to apply for a police certificate on your behalf. They’ll need

  • their national ID card
  • a signed notarized authorization letter from you
    • available from the office where you apply
  • their original permanent residence registration (hukou) bookletFootnote **
  • all of your required documents

If you are not a citizen of China

If you live in China

If you’ve lived in China for more than 180 days, you can get your certificate from the Exit-Entry Administration Department of Public Security Bureau in your city.

The application process differs from city to city. Ask your local office how to apply. Most places in China will let you appoint a representative to apply for a police certificate on your behalf. They’ll need

  • their national ID card
  • a signed notarized authorization letter from you
  • their original permanent residence registration (hukou) bookletFootnote **
  • all of your required documents
If you live outside China

The application process differs from city to city. Ask your local office how to apply. Most places in China will let you appoint a representative to apply for a police certificate on your behalf. They’ll need

  • their national ID card
  • a signed notarized authorization letter from you
  • their original permanent residence registration (hukou) bookletFootnote **
  • all of your required documents

Special considerations

Submit clear scanned copies of the original Notary Certificate of No Criminal Convictions with the notarized translation issued by the notary public office with your application.

If you are unable to provide a police certificate for a specific reason, or for a specific portion of your stay, this could delay processing for your application. Please upload a letter with the following statement: “I cannot provide a police certificate for the full time I spent in China because [insert reason].” The reason indicated will be reviewed, and a determination will be made on its relevance to the missing or required documents or information.

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