Visas & Advice Detail
Police, certificate, action
Dave McKinney of the Criminal Records Office on why you need a police certificate in order to emigrate, and how you can go about getting one.
How would someone go about getting a Police Certificate for immigration purposes?
The Association of Chief Police Officers, Criminal Records Office (ACRO) provides Police Certificates for immigration Visa purposes for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America. Application forms and associated guidance notes can be found at www.acpo.police.uk by clicking on the Police Certificate tab. The Police Certificate will provide the results of a criminal record check. For enquiries concerning the completion of this form, please contact ACRO on 0845 60 13 999 during our office opening hours (8:30-16:30) Monday to Friday or via email: acro.policecertificates@acro.pnn.police.uk
For what reasons are Police Certificates a necessary part of the emigration process for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America?
Each Embassy or High Commission requires every applicant applying for an immigration visa to provide evidence of their good character or to disclose their previous criminal history within the United Kingdom. Police Certificates will provide this evidence for applicants by indicating they have no convictions or providing their criminal history in accordance with the 'Retention Guidelines for Nominal Records on the Police National Computer'.
What will show up on my Police Certificate?
All convictions, Warnings, Reprimands and Cautions are recorded on the Police National Computer. We apply the principles of the 'Retention Guidelines for Nominal Records on the Police National Computer', which incorporates the Step Down Model, when preparing the Police Certificate. The Retention Guidelines can be found at www.acpo.police.uk/policies.asp
Does everybody in my family who is emigrating to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America need to obtain a Police Certificate?
It is dependent on the age of the visa applicant. Each Country is different and advice should be sought from the relevant Embassy or High Commission. Anyone who has any criminal convictions no matter what their age will be required by an Embassy or High Commission to provide a Police Certificate.
If you have a close relative who has a criminal record, will this be mentioned on your Certificate?
No. Police Certificates only contain information relating to the applicant.
If someone has lived in different regions of the United Kingdom, or other countries, would they be required to get more than one Certificate?
The Police Certificate provided by ACRO covers the whole of the United Kingdom and will disclose whether the applicant has any previous criminal history within the United Kingdom only. Those applicants who have lived abroad, maybe required to provide evidence of good character or disclose their previous criminal history in that other country. Advice should be sought from the relevant Embassy or High Commission.
How much does a Police Certificate cost?
The standard service costs £35 and the premium service costs £70. Extra copies of Certificates can be purchased at a cost of £5 each at the time the application is made, for either service. (Subsequent requests will require the full fee of a new application to cover all costs)
Can I email or fax my application to you?
No, you must post your application to us as we require an original signature and a passport photograph.
Who can apply for a Police Certificate?
Anyone who has lived in the UK for any length of time, regardless of Nationality.
Can I pay online?
No, you can pay by cheque, bankers draft or postal order. Your payment must be in pounds sterling. You can arrange for someone else to pay the fee for you if necessary.
How long is my Certificate valid for?
There is no set period of time for which the Certificate is considered to be valid. The Certificate is only truly accurate on the date of issue. Embassies or High Commissions will usually require you to produce a Police Certificate, which has been issued less than six (6) months before your visa interview.
How long does it take to get my Police Certificate?
The Certificate will be prepared and dispatched within ten working days of receipt for a standard service and within two working days for a premium service. In each case this excludes days of receipt and dispatch. Postage times are not guaranteed. The Certificates are sent first class through Royal Mail wherever you are in the world. You are advised to allow extra time if your application is made close to a UK Bank Holiday.
By what postal methods may I have my Certificate returned to me?
Your application fee includes:
· To UK addresses – Standard 1st Class Return
· To International addresses – Royal Mail Airmail return
· You can request and pay an extra fee for the following (this fee must be sent with your application)
· UK – Registered Mail, Recorded Mail, Special Next Day delivery
· International – International Sign For, AIRSURE
Email ACRO for a costing of the above. Please note these prices may change without notice.
I live abroad and cannot prove my UK addresses, what can I do?
If you live abroad you do not have to prove your UK address. You only have to prove your current address and inform us of your previous UK addresses over the past FIVE years. These should be written on the continuation sheet provided with the application form.
I don't know anyone who can sign the back of my photograph in the country I'm in, what do I do?
You will need to post your photograph to someone who can sign it for you. If you are not in the UK, we suggest you post the entire application form to someone who can sign your photograph and ask them to forward it on to us.
I don't have any utility bills, how can I prove my address?
We accept copies of documents from "official bodies" e.g. bank statement, letters from a GP, letters from a school or college, utility bills, phone bills etc. Ideally they should be for different months and in either case should not be more than six months old.
I don't know anyone from the list of guarantors, who can sign my photograph?
The list is not exhaustive, but you must ensure that the certifying individual is a professional. A professional who could sign your photograph for a passport application would be acceptable.
Does the person signing my photograph have to reside in the UK?
No, this can be any person who is in one of the Professions we mention and who has known you for two years or more.
Can more than one application be sent in the same envelope with one form of payment for the total amount?
Yes, providing all the documents are complete and the total payment covers each application made. Any missing items may delay the processing for all the applications.
What is the difference between a Police Certificate and a Subject Access request?
A Police Certificate is issued solely for Immigration Purposes. The Subject Access request is used to provide an applicant with details of any information held about them on police computers. Both check the Police National Computer to see if you have a criminal record. A Police Certificate is needed if you require a work or residency visa for Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the USA only). In the case of the USA you will also need a Police Certificate for holiday purposes if you have ever been arrested or convicted of any offence, no matter how long ago it was.
When will the Embassies or High Commissions cease accepting the Subject Access Certificate?
The USA will no longer accept subject access for visa interviews. After 1st January 2009, Canada will no longer accept Subject Access checks for visa interviews. Although Australia and New Zealand have not positively defined an end date, they both inform all new visa applicants that they should acquire and ACRO Police Certificate. They will however continue to accept Subject Access
checks if submitted at this current time.
I have a CRB Certificate, can I use that instead of the Police Certificate?
No, the Embassies and High Commissions will only accept the ACRO Police
Certificate.
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