Issuing authority for Shenzhen Police Certificate
Shenzhen Non-criminal Record Certificate is issued by Shenzhen Administrative Service Halls to certify that the person was not accused or didn’t have any criminal precedents within a stipulated period of time in Shenzhen.
Foreigners who have resided in Shenzhen for a minimum period of 6 months can apply for Shenzhen Non-criminal Record Certificate.
In person service is available for foreigners without an appointment. Public Security Bureau does not accept application by email, fax, or mail. Online system for requesting of Shenzhen Certificate of Clearance is not accessible to foreign citizens. Third Party application will need to provide written consent from the applicant.
Purposes of applying for Shenzhen Police Certificate
Shenzhen Police Certificate is issued upon the applicant’s request to be submitted to official bodies for many purposes, which include work, study, immigration, obtaining licenses and others.
Applicable applicants for Shenzhen Police Certificate
Not all applicants are eligible to apply for Shenzhen of China Police Clearance Certificate. The application applies to the following applicants.
- Foreign nationals who lived in Shenzhen over continuous period of 6 months.
- Foreign nationals who held valid Chinese residence permits for work, study, family reunion or personal matters.
- Foreign nationals who can provide authentic, legal and sufficient application documents.
Application procedures of Shenzhen Criminal Record Check
STEP 1. Submit required documents to Shenzhen Administrative Service Halls for review.
STEP 2. Administrative Service Halls conducts criminal background check. If applicant has criminal record, the Non-criminal Record Certificate is unobtainable.
STEP 3. Submit Shenzhen of China Police Clearance Certificate to Notary Public Office.
STEP 4. Notary Public Office issues Notarial Certificate of Non-criminal Record.
Application documents for Shenzhen Police Certificate
1. Copy of passport photo page notarized by Chinese notary public or legalized by Chinese Embassy/Consulate.
You will be required to bring the legalized passport at the Public Security Bureau. Or you may ask a third party to present in person with your legalized passport to make application where written consent applies.
2. Scanned copy of passport pages with China visa, the pages with Chinese residence permit and the pages with China exit-entry stamps.
3. Scanned copy of the Registration Form(s) of Temporary residence.
The Registration Form of Temporary residence is the form that you filled upon your arrival in China within 24 hours. You need to bring the copies of the Registration Forms of Temporary residence at the Public Security Bureau.
4. Scanned copy of work permit or scan copy of degree/diploma.
Work permits and degree are optional documents for police certificate application.
5. If you need to authorize third party to apply for the police certificate on your behalf, you need to provide authorization apostilled by Ministry of foreign affairs or legalized by Chinese Embassy/Consulate.
Note: China has successfully joined the Hague Convention and become a member state. The Apostille Convention came into effect in China on November 7, 2023.
Apostille and Legalization are two certification types. The country in which the authorization is issued determines the type of certificate needed.
• An apostille is for documents issued in member countries of the Hague.
• Consular authentication certificate is for documents issued in Non-Hague Convention countries.
Information which will appear on the Shenzhen Criminal Record Check to be issued
Shenzhen Police Certificate is issued in hard copy and never sent electronically.
Information included on the Police Certificate issued by Public Security Bureau (See Sample)
- Your full name
- Nationality
- Passport Numbers used in China
- The period of your stay in Shenzhen
- Statement indicates that if you have criminal record.
- Two- dimensional code for verification of authenticity.
Information included on the Police Certificate issued by Notary Public (See Sample)
If you need to use a Shenzhen Police Certificate abroad, you shall make an application to Notary Public Office in China to obtain a notarial certificate of good conduct. The notarial certificate of clearance will include following information:
- Your full name
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Nationality
- Current Passport Number
- The period of your stay in Shenzhen
- Statement indicates that if you have criminal record.
Processing time for Shenzhen Police Certificate
Processing time of application for Shenzhen Police Certificate is between 2-3 weeks excluding mailing time.
Reasons for failure to get Shenzhen Police Certificate
1.Individuals lived in Shenzhen for less than continuous period of 6 months.
2.Individuals never did the residence registration during living in Shenzhen.
3.Individuals have criminal background record filed in Shenzhen police database.
Solution for failure to get Shenzhen Police Certificate
If you are unable to get Shenzhen Police Certificate, you are responsible to show why you can’t get one. To prove that you can’t get Shenzhen Police Certificate, you may show proof that you requested Shenzhen Police Certificate from the correct authority and write a letter explaining all the efforts you have taken to get one.
Apostille and Legalization for Shenzhen Police Certificate
For some countries, simply obtaining a notarial certificate from the Shenzhen police is not enough, and Legalization or Apostille may also be required.
Apostille procedures of Shenzhen Police Certificate
China has joined the Apostille Convention. For Shenzhen Police Certificate to be used in other Apostille Convention countries, individuals may be requested to get Shenzhen Police Certificate apostilled.
The apostille procedures are as follows:
STEP 1. Submit Shenzhen Police Certificate to notary public offices in Shenzhen for notarization.
STEP 2. Submit Notarial Police Certificate to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or authorized Foreign Affairs Offices of the Shenzhen governments for apostille.
Legalization procedures of Shenzhen Police Certificate
For Shenzhen Police Certificate to be used in Thailand, Malaysia etc, individuals may be requested to get Shenzhen Police Certificate legalized by corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China. The legalization procedures are as follows:
STEP 1. Submit Shenzhen Police Certificate to notary public offices in Shenzhen for notarization.
STEP 2. Submit Notarial Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry for authentication.
STEP 3. Submit authenticated Police Certificate to corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China for legalization.
Requirements for authorization letter of Shenzhen Police Certificate
Applicants outside China can authorize third party (family member, employee etc.) to apply for Shenzhen Police Certificate. Applicant needs to get authorization letter legalized by Chinese Embassy/Consulate.
Does Shenzhen Police Certificate cover the whole China?
There is no national issuing authority of China Police Certificate covering the whole China. Applicants should apply for China Police Certificate at the authority with jurisdiction over the applicants’ place of household registration or residence. Shenzhen Police Certificate only certifies that applicant has no criminal record during living in Shenzhen not the whole China.
FAQ on Shenzhen Police Certificate
Q1: How long is Shenzhen Police Certificate valid? Is there an expiry date?
A1: Criminal records checks are a point in time search and only valid on the day they are issued, since information can change from day-to-day.
The police service doesn’t determine an expiry date; this is up to the agency/employer. Some might accept Shenzhen Police Certificate that is three to six months old, while others may want a new one.
Q2: I lost my residence registration form which is one of the required documents for Shenzhen Police Certificate. Who has access to my residence registration record?
A2: Shenzhen local police station has access to the residence registration record. If you ever did residence registration during living in Shenzhen, you could retrieve the registration record at local police station.
Q3: What if I disagree with the background results, can I challenge them?
A3: You have the right to challenge the results. Result may be challenged through Shenzhen Administrative Service Halls. You should contact Shenzhen Administrative Service Halls to clearly identify the information that you feel is inaccurate or incomplete and should provide copies of any available proof or supporting documentation to support your claim.
Q4: Can individuals apply for Shenzhen of China Police Clearance Certificate if he/she is being subjected to release on guarantee pending trial?
A4: According to the article 17 of “Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Authorities’ Regulations on Handling Non-Criminal Record Certificate”, Non-Criminal Record Certificate cannot be issued for the applicant who is being subjected to release on guarantee pending trial. Applicant should apply for Non-Criminal Record Certificate after the investigation or litigation is over.
Q5: Can I use my certificate for more than one purpose in same country?
A5: Yes, Shenzhen Police Certificate can be used more than one purpose in same country. If the first authority which the certificate is used in returns it to you. You can submit it to other authorities for other purposes.
Q6: I have submitted copy of Shenzhen Police Certificate to USA Embassy for visa interview. Do I need to bring original Shenzhen Police Certificate to my visa interview?
A6: Yes. Even though you submitted copies of all the required documents online, you must bring the original paper versions to your interview at the U.S. Embassy. If you do not, the consular officer will not be able to complete your interview or issue a visa.
Hello,
I know long have my entrance documents for when I arrived in Shenzhen or my work permit. Could I still apply with just my passport which had my residence permit inside?
Many thanks,
Louise
Hi Louise, Registration form of residence is the required document, do you still in possesion of this document?