Issuing Authority for Suzhou Police Certificate
The official issuing authority for Suzhou Police Clearance Certificate has been changed from Suzhou Police Station to Exit-Entry Administration Office of Suzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau after the policy on “The Investigation of Criminal Records by Public Security Organs” was released in December 2021.
In person service is available for foreigners without an appointment. Public Security Bureau does not accept application by email, fax, or mail. Online system for requesting of Suzhou Certificate of Clearance is not accessible to foreign citizens. Third Party application will need to provide written consent from the applicant.
Application Process for Foreigners
In person service is available for foreigners without an appointment. Public Security Bureau does not accept applications submitted via email, fax, or mail. Online system for requesting the Suzhou Certificate of Clearance is not accessible to foreign citizens. Third Party application will need to provide written consent from the applicant.
Applicable Applicants for Suzhou Police Certificate
Not all applicants are eligible to apply for Suzhou of China Police Clearance Certificate. The application applies to the following applicants.
1. Foreign nationals who have lived in Suzhou over continuous period of 6 months.
2. Foreign nationals who have held valid Chinese residence permits for work, study, family reunion or personal matters.
3. Foreign nationals who can provide authentic, legal, and sufficient application documents.
Application Procedures of Suzhou Police Certificate
STEP 1. Submit all required documents to Exit-Entry Administration Office of Suzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau for review.
STEP 2. Exit-Entry Administration Office of Suzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau conducts criminal record check. If applicant has criminal record, the Non-criminal Record Certificate is unobtainable.
STEP 3. Take Suzhou of China Police Clearance Certificate to Notary Public Office in Suzhou.
STEP 4. Notary Public Office issues Suzhou Notarial Certificate of Non-criminal Record.
Documents Required for Suzhou Criminal Record Check
1. The legalized passport photo page- original document must be presented in person or by authorized third party with consent
2. Scanned copy of Temporary Residence Registration (mandatory for current Suzhou residents; optional for overseas applicants)
3. Scanned copy of Work permit or degree/diploma (optional supporting documents)
4. If authorizing a 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 Suzhou Criminal Record Check to be issued
Suzhou Police Certificate is issued in hard copies and never sent electronically. There is a two- dimensional code on the left bottom of the certificate issued by Public Security Bureau for which you may verify the authenticity of the police certificate by scanning the two- dimensional code.
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 Suzhou
- Statement indicates that if you have criminal record.
- Two- dimensional code for verification of authenticity.
Information included on the Police Certificate issued by Notary Public (See Sample)
If you need to use a Suzhou Police Certificate abroad, you shall make an application to Notary Public Office in China to obtain a notarial certificate of good conduct. 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 Suzhou
Statement indicates that if you have criminal record.
Processing Time for Suzhou Police Certificate
Processing time of application for Suzhou Police Certificate is between 2-3 weeks excluding mailing time.
Apostille and Legalization for Suzhou Police Certificate
For some countries, simply obtaining a notarial certificate from the Suzhou police is not enough, and Legalization or Apostille may also be required.
Apostille Procedures of Suzhou Police Certificate
China has joined the Apostille Convention. For Suzhou Police Certificate to be used in other Apostille Convention countries, individuals may need to get Suzhou Police Certificate apostilled. The legalization procedures are as follows:
STEP 1. Take Suzhou Police Certificate to notary public offices in Suzhou for notarization.
STEP 2. Take Notarial Police Certificate to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or authorized Foreign Affairs Offices of the Jiangsu Province government for apostille.
Legalization Procedures of Suzhou Police Certificate
For Suzhou Police Certificate to be used in Thailand, Malaysia etc., individuals may need to get Suzhou Police Certificate legalized by corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China. The legalization procedures are as follows:
STEP 1. Get the Suzhou Police Certificate notarized at notary public offices in Suzhou.
STEP 2. Take Notarial Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry for authentication.
STEP 3. Take authenticated Police Certificate to corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China for legalization.