When a U.K citizen engages in commercial activities, works in a company, or applies for long-term residence in China, the domestic government departments will require the applicant to provide a U.K police certificate certified by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the U.K.
The validity period of the report is not clearly stated on the U.K police certificate, but the Chinese government generally requires the police certificate to be issued within 6 months, and the U.K police certificate beyond 6 months will not be accepted and needs to be reapplied.
U.K Police Certificate issued by the Association of Criminal Records Office (ACRO)
Types of U.K Police Certificate
1.The U.K Police Certificate issued by the Association of Criminal Records Office (ACRO)
The ACRO searches through the applicant’s basic information (name, date of birth, home address) and gives the final search result. If the applicant has no criminal record, the report result is No Trace.
2.Disclosure and Barring Service, abbreviated as DBS checks, issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
When the applicant is engaged in special work, voluntary service, or applying for the adoption of a child, it is necessary to apply for a DBS check.
Documents required for UK Police Certificate
1. Application form for U.K Police Certificate.
2. Scanned copy of the photo page of the applicant’s passport.
3. Passport size color photo 45mm*35mm.
4. A guarantor is required. The guarantor must be a friend who has known each other for more than two years. The guarantor must be at least 18 years old and not a family member of the applicant.
Processing time for UK Police Certificate
1.Police Certificate issued by the ACRO
Processing time: 10 working days for normal processing, 2 working days for urgent processing.
2.DBS checks issued by the ACPO
Processing time: The basic version of the DBS checks takes 14 working days; the standard or enhanced version of the DBS checks usually takes 8 weeks.
Apostille or Consular Legalization of ACRO Police Certificate
Apostille and Consular legalization are two certification types. The country in which the document will be used determines the type of certificate needed.
An apostille is for documents to be used in member countries of the Hague. Apostilled is provided by Legalization Office of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). If documents are to be used in Non-Hague Convention countries, upon completion of Apostille, the documents need to be submitted to destination Consular for legalization.
We can help you to request both apostilles and Consular authentication certificate for a variety of documents to individuals, companies to be used out of UK.
Process and time of Apostille or Consular Legalization
Apostille Process
- Get it certified / notarized by UK solicitor or Notary Public.
- Get it apostilled by Legalization Office of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Consular Legalization process
- Get it certified / notarized by UK solicitor or Notary Public.
- Get it apostilled by Legalization Office of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
- Get it legalized at Embassy/Consulate of the destination country where the documents to be used.
Processing Time for Apostille and Consular Legalization
In general, it takes 5 business days for apostille service, and 15 working days to apply for the consular legalization of police certificate, not including the mailing time.