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
- Certificate of No Criminal Record, where there is no known criminal record, or
- Notification of Non-issuance of Certificate of No Criminal Record, where there is presence of criminal record
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
Apply:
- at your local Public Security Bureau
- at your local Public Security police station
- in the jurisdiction of the address in your household registration hukou booklet, if your registration is still valid
- If your hukou registration has been cancelled, you will need a Certificate of Residence Cancellation from a local police station.
- in the jurisdiction of your usual place of residence
- in the jurisdiction of the address in your household registration hukou booklet, if your registration is still valid
- on your local government service’s website or mobile application
You’ll need your:
- original national ID card
- hukou booklet
- proof of residence (residence permit, work and residence permit etc.)
- application form for a Certificate of No Criminal Record
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.
Using a representative
You can appoint a family member to apply for a police certificate on your behalf. They’ll need:
- their original national ID card
- your original national ID card
- their original hukou booklet
- If their hukou registration has been cancelled, they will need a Certificate of Residence Cancellation from a local police station.
- an application form for a Certificate of No Criminal Record
- one (1) of the following:
- if they’re an immediate family member, a power of attorney from you
- if they’re a non-immediate family member, a notarized power of attorney from a notary office
If you live outside China
The application process differs from city to city. Ask the local office in your household registration hukou booklet where you used to live how to apply.
You may be able to apply:
- on their website or mobile application
- at the city’s local Public Security Bureau
- at the local Public Security police station in the jurisdiction of the address in your household registration hukou booklet if your household registration is still valid.
- If your hukou registration has been cancelled, you may need a Certificate of Residence Cancellation from a local police station.
You may need to provide a scan of your passport/visa and a certificate of overseas residence, such as a US green card or permanent resident card
Chinese embassies and consulates cannot issue or obtain hukou-related certificates and do not facilitate this process although they may assist with notarization or authentication once the document has been issued.
Using a representative
In most places in China, you can appoint a family member to apply for a police certificate on your behalf.
They’ll need:
- their original national ID card
- a copy of your original national ID card
- a scan of your passport/visa and a certificate of overseas residence, such as a US green card or permanent resident card
- their original hukou booklet
- If their hukou registration has been cancelled, they will need a Certificate of Residence Cancellation from a local police station.
- an application form for a Certificate of No Criminal Record
- one (1) of the following:
- if they’re an immediate family member, a power of attorney from you
- if they’re a non-immediate family member, a notarized power of attorney from a notary office
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 the Public Security Bureau (county level or above) in the city where your Foreigner Residence Permit (permanent or temporary) was issued.
A police certificate typically includes the applicant’s personal information and the period during which the foreigner resided in China.
The application process differs from city to city. Check with your local office for specific instructions on how to apply.
Some cities support online application for foreigners.
You will need:
- your original passport with Foreigner Residence Permit
- a scanned copy of your passport's entry and exit stamp pages
- your registration form of temporary residence, if applicable
- an application form for foreigner’s Certificate of No Criminal Record
If you live outside China
The application process differs from city to city. Check with the Exit-Entry Administration Department of the Public Security Bureau (county level or above) in your city where your Foreigner Residence Permit was issued for specific instructions on how to apply.
Some cities support online application for foreigners.
A police certificate typically includes the applicant's personal information and the period during which the foreigner resided in China.
Using a representative
Most places in China will let you appoint a representative to apply for a police certificate on your behalf.
They will need:
- their original national ID card
- a notarized power of attorney from a notary office
- their original hukou booklet
- if their hukou registration has been cancelled, they will need a Certificate of Residence Cancellation from a local police station.
- A copy of your passport with your Foreigner Residence Permit
- A copy of your registration form of temporary residence
- An application form for foreigner’s Certificate of No Criminal Record
Special considerations
- You’ll need to provide either a Notarized or certified translation.
- For Chinese citizens, please make sure the Certificate covers the period from birth to the current date.
- A certificate with a QR code is recommended by the central government, however, certificates without the QR code are also acceptable.
- If you are not a Chinese citizen, China will issue the “Certificate of No Criminal Record” only to “Foreigner Residence Permit” holders (currently or previously valid). It is important to present your foreigner residence permit along with your police clearance certificate request.
- While some cities may support online applications for a police clearance certificate for foreigners, certain cities may still require foreigners to visit a Notary Public office first and obtain a Notarized Certificate of No Criminal Record through a Notary Public office.
- 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.