Overview
The Shanghai criminal record certificate is an essential document for applying for work permit, immigration, visa, admission, etc. in China or a third country.. A police certificate proves that an individual does not have a criminal record during your time in China.
To obtain a police certificate, expats must first go to the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. Once the documents have been submitted, the police will conduct a background check to determine if the individual has any criminal record.
After the background check is complete, the police will issue a certificate in Chinese. The certificate will show the individual’s name, birthdate, period reside in China, and any information on criminal records, if any. The certificate is then ready to be collected and used for various purposes, such as applying for a visa or a job.
Typically, if you need to use your Shanghai non-criminal record certificate abroad, it must first be notarized by the Shanghai Notary Public Office. The notarial certificate contains notarized pages in Chinese as well as notarized pages translated into foreign languages.
Who is required to obtain a Shanghai Non-Criminal Record Certificate?
Expats need to have resided in Shanghai for cumulative 6 months and held a residence permit in Shanghai before they can apply for a non-criminal record certificate in Shanghai. Generally, foreigners holding Z (work), X1 (study), or J1 (journalist) visa will have a residence permit in Shanghai and can apply for a Shanghai non-criminal record certificate.
How to get a Non-Criminal Record Certificate in Shanghai?
The Shanghai non-criminal record in is issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau（PSB）.
After getting the non-criminal record from PSB, applicants need to submit the non-criminal record to Shanghai official notary agencies to obtain the notarial certificate of no criminal record. The Shanghai non-criminal record certificate can be used to deal with work permits, immigration, visas, enrollment, and other matters in a third country.
Procedure of Obtaining Shanghai Non-Criminal Record Certificate
- STEP 1: Apply non-criminal record certificate at Shanghai 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 Shanghai?
After submitting the application, it takes approximately five to seven working days for the police to review the case and release the certificate, depending on the workload of the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.
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 have someone else pick it up.
Once you get the Shanghai Police Certificate from Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, you may make an application to notary public office for a notarial certificate. Processing time for the notarial Shanghai Police Certificate is seven working days, excluding mailing time.
The no criminal record issued by Shanghai 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 police certificate in Shanghai can take several weeks and may require the individual to provide additional information or documentation. Therefore, foreign nationals seeking a police certificate in Shanghai 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 Shanghai Police Certificate?
In most Chinese cities, you can have someone else handle your Police Clearance Certificate on your behalf. To do this, you’ll need to give them a properly authorized 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 Shanghai to apply, you need to provide authorization apostilled by Ministry of foreign affairs or legalized by Chinese Embassy/Consulate. You must provide a written consent if you need someone other than you to deal with your application on your behalf.
Documents checklist for request of Police Clearance Certificate
You must prepare the necessary documents for the Shanghai Police Certificate application. This may include following documents:
1. Scanned copy of current and previous passport , including:
- Photo pages
- All visa pages
- Residence permit pages
- Exit-entry stamp pages
You must submit the copies of passports to the Public Security Bureau. Or you may ask a third party to present in person with your copies of passports to make application where written consent applies.
2. Scanned copy of residence registration form(s).
The is the form that you filled upon your arrival in Shanghai within 24 hours. You need to bring the copies of residence registration forms to the Public Security Bureau.
3. Scanned copy of work permit or scan copy of original degree/diploma. (optional)
Work permits, and degree are optional documents for police certificate application.
4. 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.
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.
Does the Shanghai Non-Criminal Record Certificate cover all of China?
There is no national issuing authority of China Police Certificate covering the whole China. Typically, Shanghai Non-Criminal Record Certificate only show that applicant has no criminal record in Shanghai, , not throughout China. However, in specific circumstances, Shanghai authorities may issue a non-criminal record certificate valid for the whole of China, depending on actual processing requirements.
If you are unable to obtain a Shanghai Police Clearance, we will help you as follows:
In some cases, the applicant cannot obtain a Shanghai police certificate or cannot obtain a police certificate covering all the period of residence in Shanghai.
Reasons for the failure to apply for a Shanghai Police Clearance:
1. Stay in Shanghai for no more than 6 months.
2. The temporary residence registration was not registered during the period of residence in Shanghai.
3. Have a criminal record during in Shanghai.
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.
Shanghai Police Certificate that you obtain
Names of documents to obtain:
1. Shanghai Police Clearance Certificate issued by Shanghai Public Security Bureau.
2. Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Convictions issued by Shanghai Notary Public Office.
Please note that the original police certificate issued by Shanghai Public Security Bureau will keep Shanghai Notary Public Office. A notarial certificate of Clearance issued by Notary Public will be provided to you.
Sample of Shanghai Police Clearance Certificate
How to confirm the authenticity of a criminal record in Shanghai?
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 allowing 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.
- In conclusion, obtaining a Shanghai police certificate as an expat may seem like a daunting task, but it is necessary for those who want to live and work in Shanghai. By following the proper steps and providing the necessary documents, expats can obtain the certificate to prove their eligibility for visas and employment.
Apostille and Legalization for Non-Criminal Record in Shanghai
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 Shanghai Police Certificate
Take the Shanghai Police Certificate to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipality for apostille.
How to legalize China Police Certificate
• Take the China Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry or Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipality for authentication.
• Take authenticated China 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.
Post a Comment