Overview
There has been an increasing number of foreign nationals applying for Criminal Record Certificates (CRC) in Beijing for different purposes, including employment, visa applications, or other legal procedures. The process of applying for a CRC in Beijing can, however, be a complicated process, especially for foreign nationals who may not be familiar with the Chinese legal system.
From the end of 2019, foreigners who need to apply for a non-criminal record certificate in Beijing must apply for a non-criminal record certificate at Beijing Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, and then make an application to notary public office for a notarial certificate , if they are involved in applying for immigration, work visas or other types of visa types.
The Beijing non-criminal record certificate only confirms that the applicant has no criminal record during their stay in Beijing. Typically, the Beijing non-criminal record certificate must be notarized by a Notary Public office when used in overseas countries. The notarial certificate contains notarized pages in Chinese as well as notarized pages translated into foreign languages.
Who needs the Beijing Police Certificate?
Foreigners must have resided in Beijing for cumulative 6 months and held a residence permit in Beijing before they can apply for a non-criminal record certificate in Beijing. Generally, foreigners holding Z (work), X1 (study), or J1 (journalist) visa will have a residence permit in Beijing and can apply for a Beijing non-criminal record certificate.
How to get a police certificate in Beijing?
The non-criminal record in Beijing is issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB).
After getting the non-criminal record from PSB, applicants need to submit the non-criminal record to official notary agencies in Beijing to obtain the notarial certificate of no criminal record.The Beijing non-criminal record certificate can be used to deal with work, immigration, visas, enrollment, and other matters in a third country.
Procedure of Obtaining Beijing Non-Criminal Record Certificate
- STEP 1: Apply for non-criminal record certificate at Beijing Public Security Bureau.
- STEP 2: Submit the police certificate to Notary Public Office for a notarial certificate of Clearance Certificate.
How long does it take to apply for a Non-Criminal Record application in Beijing?
After submitting the application, it takes approximately five to seven working days for the police to review the case and release the certificate. If there are any issues that require further review, the applicant will be notified by phone or email. If the certificate is successful, the applicant can pick it up in person or nominate a representative to pick it up. If the applicants need someone else to pick up the certificate for you, they might require the power of attorney.
After obtaining the Beijing Police Certificate from Beijing Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, you’ll need to apply for notarization at a public notary office. Processing time for the notarial Beijing Police Certificate is seven working days, excluding mailing time.
The Beijing non-criminal record issued by PSB is generally valid for three months, so please complete the notarization within three months.
It is important to note that the application process for a CRC in Beijing can take several weeks and may require the individual to provide additional information or documentation. Therefore, foreign nationals seeking a CRC in Beijing should plan accordingly and allow adequate time for the application to be processed.
If the applicant cannot come to China to apply, can he/she authorize a representative to apply for Beijing Police Certificate?
Most Chinese cities allow a representative to apply for a China Police Certificate. However, applicants need to provide a power of attorney (POA) to nominate a representative to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate.
Each city has different requirements for power of attorney. If you cannot come to Beijing to apply, a signed letter of authority for third party applications is required. You must provide a written consent if you need someone other than yourself to process your application on your behalf.
Documents checklist for request of Police Clearance Certificate
The materials for CRC application include following documents:
1. Original current and previous passports.
You must present the original passports at the Public Security Bureau. Alternatively, if you’ve provided written authorization, a representative can bring both your old and new passports to submit the application on your behalf.
2. Scanned copy of Registration form(s) of temporary residence.
Registration form of temporary residence is that the one you filled with police station upon your arrival in Beijing within 24 hours. If you currently reside in Beijing, the form is required for your Beijing Police application. Whereas it is an optional supporting document if live abroad currently.
3. Scanned copy of work permit or scan copy of original degree/diploma.
Work permits and degrees are optional documents for police certificate application.
4. Signed letter of authority for third party applications.
You must provide the power of attorney if you need someone other than yourself to process your application on your behalf.
Does the Beijing Non-Criminal Record Certificate cover all of China?
There is no national issuing authority of China Police Certificate covering the whole China. So, Beijing Non-Criminal Record Certificate only show that applicant has no criminal record during in Beijing not for the entire country of China. In some cases, the Beijing non-criminal record certificate can cover the whole of China, depending on the actual processing situation.
If you are unable to obtain a Beijing Police Clearance, we will help you as follows:
In some cases, the applicant cannot obtain a Beijing police certificate or cannot obtain a police certificate covering all the period of residence in Beijing.
Reasons for the failure to apply for a Beijing Police Clearance:
1. Stay in Beijing for no more than 6 months.
2. The temporary residence registration was not registered during the period of residence in Beijing.
3. Have a criminal record during in Beijing.
Immigration/employment authorities in some foreign countries may be exempt from submitting overseas police certificates. To apply for the exemption, we can provide a letter of declaration from our company explaining why the police certificate cannot be obtained.
Beijing Police Certificate that you obtain
Names of documents to obtain:
1. Beijing Police Clearance Certificate issued by Beijing Public Security Bureau.
2. Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Convictions issued by Beijing Notary Public Office.
Please note that the original police certificate issued by Beijing Public Security Bureau will be retained by Beijing Notary Public Office. A notarial certificate of Clearance issued by Notary Public will be provided to you.
Sample of Beijing Police Clearance Certificate
How to confirm the authenticity of a criminal record in Beijing?
Individuals can verify the authenticity of the Notarial Police Certificates in the following ways:
- 1. Notarial certificates from some notary public offices bear two-dimensional code allows you to scan the code to check the authenticity. You may check the notarial certificate by inputting the verification code.
- 2. You may log in the Notary Public Office website to check the authenticity of the certificate with a specific code.
- 3. You may call the Notary Public Office to check the authenticity of the notarization. Name of applicant, date of birth of applicant, and serial number of the certificate shall be provided for verification.
Apostille and Legalization for Non-Criminal Record in Beijing
Chinese documents may require legalization or an apostille for foreign use. Even after notarization in China, some countries may still require authentication. Check with whoever’s asking for your document or that country’s embassy to see if it needs authentication.
How to Apostille the Beijing Police Certificate
Take the Beijing Police Certificate to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China for apostille.
How to legalize Beijing Police Certificate
• Take the Beijing Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry for authentication.
• Take authenticated Beijing Police Certificate to corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China for legalization.
Please note that China has formally acceded to the Hague Convention in November 2023. Since then, the Apostille has entered into force in China. Therefore, if a Beijing Police Certificate is to be used in Hague Convention countries, the applicant needs to get the Beijing Police Certificate apostilled. A Consular legalization certificate is needed for a Beijing police certificate to be used in Non-Hague Convention countries.
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