A police clearance certificate is a document identifying whether or not an individual has criminal records. People applying for passports need it for processing their application, although a police clearance certificate can be used for other purposes as well.

How to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Online?

You can apply for a police clearance certificate from the Passport Seva online portal itself. Follow these steps to do so:

  • Visit the Passport Seva online portal. If you’re a new user, then click on the “New User Registration” tab first to register yourself.
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  • From the ‘Passport Office’ drop-down list, select the office closest to your location.
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  • Now correctly enter your name, surname, date of birth (DOB), and email address.
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  • The next step is to create a unique Login ID and Password.
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  • Hit the ‘Register’ icon. An activation link will then be sent to your email id. Use it to activate your account with Passport Seva.
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  • Enter the credentials to log in to the Passport Seva Online Portal.
  • Click the ‘Apply for Police Clearance Certificate’ link.
Police Clearance Certificate
  • Fill in the required details in the form and hit submit.
  • Then, click the ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ link.
  • Online Payment is compulsory for booking appointments at every PSK/POPSK/PO. You can use one of the following payment methods:
  1. Credit/debit card (MasterCard and Visa)
  2. Internet banking (State Bank of India (SBI), Associate Banks and Other Banks)
  3. SBI Bank Challan
  • Click the ‘Print Application Receipt’ link to print the application receipt. It contains the Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number. You don’t need to carry it, though, for your appointment as you will also get an SMS certifying the same.
  • Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Regional Passport Office (RPO) where your appointment has been booked. Remember to carry your original documents.

Alternate Way to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate

You can also apply for a police clearance certificate by downloading and submitting the ‘e-form’ available on the Passport Seva online portal. Here are the steps to do the same:

  • Visit the Passport Seva Online portal and download the e-Form through the “Download e-Form” link on the Home Page.
  • Fill up the downloaded e-Form and click the ‘Validate and Save button’ in it.
  • An XML file will be generated. It will be required later for uploading to the system.
  • Login to the Passport Seva Online Portal with your credentials.
  • Upload the XML file using the “Upload e-Form” link. Don’t upload it in PDF form as only the XML file version works.
  • Click the ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ link to schedule an appointment.
  • Make the online payment using any of the three payment modes.
  • Click ‘Print Application Receipt” to print the application receipt, which has the Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number.
  • Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Regional Passport Office (RPO) on the day of the appointment with your original documents.

Documents Required:

I. Domestic Workers (ECR/ECNR Passports): Houseboy, Housemaid, Driver, Cooks, Driver,etc emigrating to ECR countries:

  • Original Valid Passport
  • Original VISA
  • Original Contract Agreement with Indian Embassy attestation
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Bhima Yojana Insurance

II. Private Workers (ECR/ECNR): Operator, Fitter, Electricians, Laundrymen, Rigger, Technician, Welder, Technician, Heavy Vehicle Driver emigrating to ECR countries:

  • Original Valid Passport
  • Original VISA
  • Original employment contract document as per the country-specific standards. Eg: A Kuwait agreement certified by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce should be given by the PCC applicants. Moreover, holders of ECR passports must have the agreement attested by the Indian Embassy.
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Bhima Yojana Insurance

III. Private workers through recruiting Agent Registered with the protectorate of Emigrants:

  • Original Valid Passport
  • Original VISA, if already obtained
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Bhima Yojana Insurance
  • A letter (on letterhead) from consultancy informing the Passport Office of the specifics of the applicant’s abroad job selection.
  • A proof of Letter of Demand / Master Contract with Indian Embassy and the number of employees needed.

IV. Dependent family members of a person residing in /emigrating to both ECR / NON-ECR countries: 

  • Original valid Passport of dependents
  • Self-attested photocopy of the person’s passport sponsoring the dependent’s emigration.
  • Sponsorship declaration duly confirmed by the Indian Embassy of the person sponsoring the emigration of PCC applicants. Eg: the Indian Embassy of Kuwait attests to the Sponsorship declaration of the person residing/working in Kuwait, in Form-5

V. Miscellaneous cases including, but not limited to, PCCs for permanent residential status application, long-term visa application etc:

  • Original valid passport
  • A sufficient number of supporting documents to prove their need for PCC.

How long does it take to receive a certificate of Police Clearance?

If the Police Verification Report for the current passport is correct and there are no improper details, the Passport Seva Kendra will issue the Police Clearance Certificate on the same day.

The Police Clearance Certificate will only be issued after the police verification process has been completed in the situations mentioned below. The applicant will get confirmation from the Passport Office after the Police Verification Report is given. The applicant must then visit the Passport Office with their passport to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate.

  • When a passport had been issued the applicant was a minor and so no police verification report was required and is now an adult.
  • Individuals were employed by government officials and so no police verification report was necessary.
  • During the issuance of a passport due to different factors, the police verification process cannot be completed.
  • The applicant’s current address is not the same as the passport address specified.
  • Other situations in which passports were issued without police verification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

The most common queries regarding police clearance certificates are:

Q: What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

Ans: Police clearance certificates are issued to Indian Passport holders who have applied for Residential Status, Employment or Long term visa or immigration. It cannot be issued for persons going abroad on a Tourist Visa.

Q: What are the documents required to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in India?

Ans: Passport, application receipt, and an address proof document are the three documents required for getting a police clearance certificate in India.

Q: Is a Police Clearance Certificate valid for a certain period?

Ans: A Police Clearance Certificate has no specific validity because it is not a passport service. Governments around the world need a Police Clearance Certificate before granting an applicant a work/family/residence/immigration visa or permit. However, it is considered to be valid for six months.

Q. Is it necessary to get a Police Clearance Certificate for a country only with one application form?

Ans: No, on one application form, only one Police Clearance Certificate can be issued.

Q. Is there a minimum age requirement to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate?

Ans: No, there is no age limit to avail of a Police Clearance Certificate.

Q.Is it possible for minors to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate?

Ans: Minors can only receive a Police Clearance Certificate if it is requested by a foreign government.