How to Get a Police Certificate - Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar

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.

Do I need to provide a Police Certificate with my Application for Permanent Residence? Yes

Name of document(s) to get: Police Clearance Certificate

How to get a Police Certificate

If you are a citizen of Tanzania

If you live in Tanzania:

You should apply in person to the Forensic Bureau (see Special notes and considerations for complete address). You must allow your fingerprints and palm prints to be recorded on a prescribed form and you must also bring:

  • Your passport or national identity card
  • A written request explaining why the police certificate is being requested
  • Applicable fees

If you live outside of Tanzania:

You should apply by sending your documents to the Officer-in-Charge, Forensic Bureau (see Special notes and considerations for complete address). You must send:

  • A certified copy of your bio data page from your passport
  • A complete set of certified fingerprints from a police station in your country of residence
  • A written request explaining why the police certificate is being requested
  • Details of the place you last resided while in Tanzania by indicating name of district, name of town, street name (if available) and house number
  • Applicable fees

If you are not a citizen of Tanzania

If you live in Tanzania:

You should apply in person to the Forensic Bureau (see Special notes and considerations for complete address). You must allow your fingerprints and palm prints to be recorded on a prescribed form and you must also bring:

  • A certified copy of your bio data page from your passport
  • Certified copies of visa/permits showing the period of legal residence in Tanzania
  • A written request explaining why the police certificate is being requested
  • Applicable fees

If you live outside of Tanzania:

You should apply by sending your documents to the Officer-in-Charge, Forensic Bureau (see Special notes and considerations for complete address). You must send:

  • A certified copy of your bio data page from your passport
  • Certified copies of visa/permits showing the period of legal residence in Tanzania
  • A written request explaining why the police certificate is being requested
  • A complete set of certified fingerprints from a police station in your country of residence
  • Applicable fees

Information and documents you need

All information and documents needed are explained above.

Special notes and considerations

Officer-in-Charge
Criminal Investigation Department
Forensic Bureau
P.O. Box 9094
Dar Es Salaam
Tanzania

Police records for Zanzibar are separately maintained and must be requested from the following address:

Officer-in-Charge
Criminal Investigation Department
Police Headquarters
P.O. Box 237 Unguja,
Zanzibar
Tanzania

For Zanzibar, applicable fees and application requirements are identical to those for Mainland Tanzania above.

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