Overview
Living abroad does not come without its challenges, especially when it is time to move to another country. One of the things that many expatriates in Shenzhen, China, typically need when moving is a police clearance certificate. Shenzhen Police Clearance Certificate can be used for work permits, immigration, visas, studying abroad and other international purposes.
Shenzhen Non-Criminal Record is an official document issued by Shenzhen Exit-Entry Administration Bureau（PSB）confirms that an individual has no criminal record or that the person has not committed any crime
If an expatriate resident in Shenzhen needs a police clearance certificate, they need to go to the Shenzhen Exit-Entry Administration Bureau and apply for one. The Shenzhen Exit-Entry Administration Bureau will then conduct a background check on the expat to determine if they have any criminal records. The process can take five to seven working days, but it is typically a straightforward process.
To be valid overseas, the Shenzhen Non-Criminal Record Certificate must be notarized. The notarization of Shenzhen non-criminal record certificate is issued by the Shenzhen Notary Public Office. The notarial certificate consists of the notarized pages in Chinese, along with their notarized translations into the required foreign language.
Who needs a Shenzhen Non-Criminal Record Certificate?
Eligibility for applying for the Shenzhen Non-Criminal Record Certificate requires living in Shenzhen for more than six months with a valid Shenzhen residence permit.
Please note: Applicants must provide valid, legal and accurate materials in accordance with the corresponding requirements to obtain this certificate.
How to get a Non-Criminal Record Certificate in Shenzhen?
The Shenzhen Non-Criminal Record Certificate is handled by the city’s Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. Once applicants receive the non-criminal record issued by the PSB, submit it to a Shenzhen public notary. The notary office will then issue the official Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Record.
Procedure of Obtaining Shenzhen Non-Criminal Record Certificate
Step 1: Apply non-criminal record certificate at Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen?
Generally, it takes about five to seven working days for the police to process and issue the certificate after the application. The applicant can pick up the document in person or nominate a consignee. After obtaining a criminal record check, the applicant can go to the notary office to apply for notarization. The processing time is about seven working days (excluding mailing time).
Please note: the No Criminal Record Certificate issued by the Shenzhen PSB is generally valid for three months, and the notarization must be completed within this period to ensure its validity.
If the applicant cannot come to China to apply, can he/she authorize a representative to apply for Shenzhen Police Certificate?
In most Chinese cities, applicants can authorize a consignee to apply for the Police Clearance Certificate with a Power of Attorney.
The requirements for the power of attorney vary from city to city. For applicants unable to apply in person in Shenzhen, the Power of Attorney must be either apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or legalized by a 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 Shenzhen Police Certificate application. This may include following documents:
1. Passport photo page copy with either foreign ministry apostille or Chinese consulate legalization.
You need to bring your certified passport to the PSB in person or have your consignee present the document on your behalf.
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 residence registration form.
4. Scanned copy of work permit or degree/diploma.
Work permits, and degree are optional documents for police certificate application.
5. Power of Attorney apostilled by Ministry of foreign affairs or legalized by Chinese Embassy/Consulate.
The choice for an apostille or legalization is determined by whether the applicant’s current country of residence is a member of the Hague Convention.
◾ An apostille is for member countries of the Hague.
◾ Consular authentication certificate is for Non-Hague Convention countries.
Does the Shenzhen Non-Criminal Record Certificate cover all of China?
There is no single national authority in China that issues a Police Certificate valid for the entire country. The Shenzhen Non-Criminal Record Certificate only confirms the absence of a criminal record in Shenzhen. In certain instances, the Shenzhen non-criminal record certificate can encompass the whole of China.
If you are unable to obtain a Shenzhen Police Clearance, we will help you as follows:
In some cases, the applicant cannot obtain a Shenzhen police certificate or cannot obtain a police certificate covering all the period of residence in Shenzhen.
Reasons for the failure to apply for a Shenzhen Police Clearance:
1. Stay in Shenzhen for no more than 6 months.
2. The temporary residence registration was not registered during the period of residence in Shenzhen.
3. Have a criminal record while living in Shenzhen.
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.
Shenzhen Police Certificate that you obtain
Names of documents to obtain:
1. Shenzhen Police Clearance Certificate issued by Shenzhen Public Security Bureau.
2. Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Convictions issued by Shenzhen Notary Public Office.
Please be noted that the original police certificate issued by Shenzhen Public Security Bureau will be retained by Shenzhen Notary Public Office. You will receive a notarial certificate of clearance issued by the Notary Public Office.
Sample of Shenzhen Police Clearance Certificate
How to confirm the authenticity of a criminal record in Shenzhen?
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. Log in the Notary Public Office website to check the authenticity of the certificate with a specific code.
3. Call the Notary Public Office to check the authenticity of the notarization. For this verification, you’ll need to provide:
- The applicant’s name
- The applicant’s date of birth
- The certificate’s serial number
Apostille and Legalization for Non-Criminal Record in Shenzhen
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 Shenzhen Police Certificate
Take the Shenzhen Police Certificate to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or Foreign Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipality for apostille.
How to legalize Shenzhen Police Certificate
• Take the Shenzhen Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry or Foreign Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipality for authentication.
• Take authenticated Shenzhen Police Certificate to corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China for legalization.
China has formally acceded to the Hague Convention in November 2023. Since then, the Apostille has entered into force in China. Therefore, When a Shenzhen Police Certificate is submitted to a Hague Convention country, the applicant needs to get the Shenzhen Police Certificate apostilled. Similarly, when the certificate is used in a non-Hague Convention country, the Consular legalization is needed for a Shenzhen police certificate.
Post a Comment