Individuals who have lived, worked, or studied in Shenzhen may need to get a Shenzhen Police Certificate (also known as Certificate of Non-criminal Record) for visa applications, immigration processes, employment, or other official purposes.
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 in Shenzhen.
Foreigners who have resided in Shenzhen for a minimum 6 months can apply for Shenzhen Non-criminal Record Certificate.
Online application systems are unavailable to foreign nationals. Foreign applicants can apply for the Shenzhen Certificate of Clearance in person without a prior appointment. In-person submission is required for this service at the Public Security Bureau (PSB). Public Security Bureau (PSB) does not accept submissions via email, fax, or postal mail. For a third-party application, written consent from the applicant must be provided.
Applicable applicants for Shenzhen Police Certificate
To be eligible for the Shenzhen Police Certificate, applicants must meet the following standards：
• Over six months of continuous residence in Shenzhen;
• A valid Shenzhen residence permit;
• Submission of complete and legally recognized supporting documents.
Application procedures of Shenzhen Criminal Record Check
STEP 1. Submit required documents to Shenzhen Administrative Service Halls for review. You can submit the documents to the Shenzhen Exit-Entry Administration Bureau in person or appoint others to request on your behalf.
After the review is approved, the Exit and Entry Administration of the Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau will issue a police certificate.
STEP 2. Submit Shenzhen of China Police Clearance Certificate to Notary Public Office. The notary office will then issue Shenzhen Notarial Certificate of Non-criminal Record.
Application documents for Shenzhen Police Certificate
1. Original current and previous passports or legalized photocopy
If unable to apply in person, applicants can authorize a third party to present their original passport to apply on your behalf.
If you cannot provide the original passport, you can appoint a third party to submit a copy of the passport photo page notarized and apostilled in its originated country, as well as scanned copies of the passport's Chinese visa page, Chinese residence permit page, and Chinese entry and exit stamp page.
2. 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.
3. Scanned copy of work permit or scan copy of degree/diploma.
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.
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.
Please note that no criminal record check issued by Shenzhen Entry-Exit is valid for only 3 months from the date of issue. You must have your no criminal record check notarized within this validity period.
Information included on the Police Certificate issued by Notary Public (See Sample)
For overseas use of a Shenzhen Police Certificate, you need to obtain a notarial certificate of good conduct from Notary Public Office in China.
The Shenzhen Police Notarial Certificate will include both Chinese and foreign language versions. The applicant can choose the corresponding language based on their requirements, including English, Thai, Korean, French, etc.
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.You have lived in Shenzhen for less than continuous period of 6 months.
2.You never did residence registration during living in Shenzhen.
3.You have criminal background record filed in Shenzhen police database.
4.You were in Shenzhen on short-term visas, like tourist (L) or business (M) visas.
Solution for failure to get Shenzhen Police Certificate
If you are unable to get Shenzhen Police Certificate, you must demonstrate why it’s unobtainable. 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
China has joined the Apostille Convention (effective November 7, 2023). A Shenzhen Police Notarial Certificate is insufficient for some countries, and Legalization or Apostille may also be required.
Apostille procedures of Shenzhen Police Certificate
Before submitting the Shenzhen Police Certificate to other Apostille Convention countries, applicants may need to have it 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 use in the Non-Hague Convention countries such as Thailand, Malaysia etc, the Shenzhen Police Certificate typically needs to obtain legalization certificate from corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China. The legalization procedures are as follows:
STEP 1. Take Shenzhen Police Certificate to notary public offices in Shenzhen for notarization.
STEP 2. Take Notarial Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry for authentication.
STEP 3. Submit authenticated Police Certificate to corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China for legalization.
Does Shenzhen Police Certificate cover the whole China?
China has no national issuing authority of Police Certificate covering the whole country. Normally, Shenzhen Police Certificate only confirms that applicant has no criminal record during living in Shenzhen not the whole China. Under certain specific circumstances, the Shenzhen police certificate can prove that the applicant has no criminal record in China.
FAQ on Shenzhen Police Certificate
Q1: How long is Shenzhen Police Certificate valid? Is there an expiry date?
A1: The notarial certificate of Non-Criminal Check does not have an expiration date, and it only indicates the date of issuance. The specific validity requirements depend on the regulations of the authorities in the country requesting the certificate.
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 while 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. Results 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: No. 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. Applicants 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 for 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 a 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?
Where are the Shenzhen Administrative Service Halls? Is it the Exit-Entry Bureau in Grand theatre, or somewhere else?
Shenzhen City Administrative Service Hall is located in Futian District. The address is The southern part of the first floor of Building B of the Citizen Center on Fuzhong Third Road, Futian District, Shenzhen City. Each district in Shenzhen City has an administrative service hall. If you are not in Futian District, you can go to the administrative service hall of the district where you live.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope this message finds you well.
My name is SHAWN TANVIR KHAN, and I am a Bangladeshi citizen who previously lived in Shenzhen for work purposes.
I am currently residing in the United Kingdom, and I need to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (No Criminal Record Certificate) from Shenzhen for employment purposes.
Hi Shawn , We can apply for Shenzhen Police Certificate and notarize it for you to meet your work needs. You will need to provide a scanned copy of your passport and temporary accommodation registration form for the period you reside in Shenzhen. After consulting and reviewing your documents, we will select the optimal solution for you, along with an accurate quote and processing time.