Whether you are planning to go for employment or applying for residential status in a foreign land, long-term visa, or immigration, you need a police clearance certificate or PCC. It’s not required if you are going abroad on a tourist visa. It’s an official document issued by the Indian Police or authorized Indian Government authority to certify that you do not have any criminal record.
Years ago, applying for and getting a police clearance certificate in India was a cumbersome task. Everything was offline and the applicants have to run from one office to another to get the PCC. It used to take days and sometimes months to get the final approved copy. But today, you can apply for a police clearance certificate online.
Eligibility for a police clearance certificate
- Your age should be 18 years or more.
- You should hold an Indian passport
- You should have all the necessary documents
Ways to get a police clearance certificate
For online application, you have to register on the official website of Passport Sava and fill in the details in the form. You can even download the form and fill it offline and submit it later.
After filling the form, you need to upload the supporting documents and make the payment online to book an appointment. At last, you will receive a receipt, having an Application reference number (ARN)/Appointment number. This reference number will be used for different purposes at different steps of the police clearance certificate application procedure.
In case you can apply online, you should visit the nearby police station for getting the certificate physically.
Documents required for a police clearance certificate
- A self-attested photocopy of the first two and last two pages of your passport
- A permanent residence proof
- An identity proof
- A documentary proof clarifying your reason for traveling abroad
- Passport size photographs
Processing time for a police clearance certificate
With the introduction of an online portal, the processing time for police clearance certificate has reduced significantly. But there is a condition in it.
If there is no need for police verification after applying, you will get the certificate in a day i.e. on the same day of your passport office visit.
On the other hand, if police verification is required, it will take up to one month to get the certificate from the passport office. Local police will visit your residential address for verification and submit the report to the authority. If the report is found positive, you will receive the police clearance certificate.
Things to consider after applying for a police clearance certificate
You should visit the Passport Seva Kendra office within 90 days to avoid resubmission of the application form.
You should visit the Passport office only after the application is processed. But in some exceptional cases, you may visit the office without an appointment.
Conclusion
A police clearance certificate is an important document as it proves your innocence and makes your stay easy in a foreign land. So you cannot afford any mistake in it.
If you are not confident to apply for a police clearance certificate, you should hire professionals for the same. They will fill the form on your behalf and guide you through the entire application process.