---
title: "How to Get a China Police Clearance Certificate: 2026 Guide"
description: "How to get a China police clearance certificate (certificate of no criminal record) as a foreigner: eligibility, documents, city differences and use abroad."
image: https://asomerit.com/hubfs/1%2c%E6%97%A0%E7%8A%AF%E7%BD%AA%E8%AE%B0%E5%BD%95.webp
---

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# How to Get a Police Clearance Certificate in China

![Tommy Zhang](https://asomerit.com/hubfs/%E6%9C%AA%E6%A0%87%E9%A2%98-1-2.jpg)

[Tommy Zhang March 19, 2026](https://asomerit.com/blog/author/tommy-zhang)

- [Non-criminal Record Application in China](https://asomerit.com/blog/tag/non-criminal-record-application-in-china)
- 8 mins

A China Police Clearance Certificate, also commonly called a China Police Certificate, Certificate of No Criminal Record, No Criminal Record Certificate, Non-Criminal Record Certificate, PCC or NCR certificate, is the document used to confirm an applicant's criminal record status during a period of residence in China.

The application is handled locally rather than through one uniform national filing route. Eligibility, acceptable evidence and submission arrangements can differ according to the city, the applicant's residence history and the period that needs to be certified. The destination country also matters because the certificate may need notarization, an Apostille or another form of legalization before it can be used abroad.

This guide explains the national decision framework. Use the city guides for local requirements and check the current service scope before preparing documents.

## What Is a China Police Clearance Certificate?

A China Police Clearance Certificate records whether a foreign national has a criminal record for a stated period of residence in China. The issuing document may be described in English as a China Police Certificate, Certificate of No Criminal Record or Non-Criminal Record Certificate. PCC and NCR certificate are common abbreviations for the same general document category.

The certificate is commonly requested for immigration, employment screening, work visa procedures, permanent residence, marriage registration abroad and other government or background-check purposes. The name used by the receiving authority may differ from the English wording on the China-issued document, so the requested period, destination and intended use should be identified before filing.

A police clearance is not automatically a finished document for overseas use. Depending on the destination, the original certificate may need further processing after issue.

## Who Can Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in China?

Eligibility depends on the city, residence history, visa or residence permit type and local authority practice. As a general baseline, foreign nationals who have resided in China for a cumulative period of about 180 days may be eligible for a criminal record inquiry. The supporting evidence, certified period and local application route vary by city and authority practice.

The general baseline only indicates possible eligibility; the city and the individual case still need to be checked. The authority may also need to connect the applicant's identity across current and former passports, visas, residence permits and local registration records. A case should therefore be assessed against the city where the person lived and the exact period that the certificate needs to cover.

If the available records do not establish the relevant residence history, document preparation alone will not resolve the eligibility issue. Check the city position before arranging notarization, a power of attorney or overseas document authentication.

## What Documents Do Foreigners Usually Need?

Common documents include:

- the applicant's current passport;
- old passports used during the relevant period in China;
- China visa or residence permit records;
- temporary residence registration records;
- entry-exit records where required;
- the purpose of the application and destination-country information;
- a power of attorney where an authorised representative is accepted;
- supporting role or residence documents requested for the case; and
- contact and delivery details.

This is a general preparation list, not a national checklist. A city may require originals, certified copies or additional evidence linking a former passport, name or residence record to the applicant. Requirements can also differ when the applicant is outside China.

Collecting every document before confirming the city route can create unnecessary work. Start with the residence history, identify the relevant city or cities, and then prepare the evidence required for that route.

## How to Apply for a China Police Clearance Certificate

The application can be understood as five stages:

1. **Define the period and city.** Record where the applicant lived, which passport was used and which period the receiving authority needs the certificate to cover.
2. **Check eligibility and the filing route.** Confirm the city's eligibility baseline, accepted identity evidence and whether the applicant or an authorised representative can submit the case.
3. **Prepare the documents.** Assemble the relevant passports, residence records, registration evidence and power of attorney where applicable.
4. **Submit the police clearance application.** The competent local authority reviews the records for the relevant period and, if the application is accepted and no record is identified, issues the Certificate of No Criminal Record.
5. **Prepare the certificate for its intended use.** Determine whether the original certificate is sufficient or whether notarization, an Apostille or consular legalization is required.

The sequence matters. Authentication should be planned only after the correct certificate route and destination requirements are understood.

## Can You Get a China Police Certificate After Leaving China?

Some cities may permit an authorised representative to apply or collect the certificate, while other local procedures may require the applicant to attend in person. Review the residence city, passport history and current local route before preparing special authorization documents.

Remote filing is not identical in every city. The city may have its own requirements for the power of attorney, passport copies or supporting records, and incomplete residence history can prevent the representative from establishing the requested period. The case should be assessed before documents are notarized or sent to China.

When the city route accepts representation, the process can include document review, local submission, certificate collection and any required notarization or authentication. The exact scope depends on where the applicant lived, the current local route and where the completed document will be used.

## How Police Clearance Requirements Differ by City

China police clearance procedures are local. The documents accepted in one city may not be sufficient in another, and residence history spanning several locations may require separate analysis. Use the relevant city guide as a starting point:

- [Beijing Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/beijing-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Changchun Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/changchun-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Changsha Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/changsha-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Chengdu Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/chengdu-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Chongqing Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/chongqing-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Dalian Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/dalian-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Dongguan Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/dongguan-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Guangzhou Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/guangzhou-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Hangzhou Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/hangzhou-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Hefei Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/hefei-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Ningbo Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/ningbo-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Qingdao Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/qingdao-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Sanya Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/sanya-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Shanghai Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/shanghai-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Shenyang Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/shenyang-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Shenzhen Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/shenzhen-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Suzhou Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/suzhou-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Tianjin Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/tianjin-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Wuhan Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/wuhan-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Wuxi Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/wuxi-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Xiamen Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/xiamen-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Xi'an Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/xian-police-clearance-certificate)
- [Zhengzhou Police Clearance Certificate](https://asomerit.com/blog/zhengzhou-police-clearance-certificate)

These guides explain local eligibility, document and process considerations. They do not replace a current case review, particularly where passports, names or residence records changed during the period to be certified.

## Do You Need Notarization or an Apostille?

The answer depends on the destination country, the form of the document, the receiving authority and the purpose for which the document will be used. For use within China, the official certificate may be sufficient. For a Hague Convention destination, the route may involve notarization followed by an Apostille. For a non-Hague destination, it may involve notarization, authentication by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy or consular legalization.

The receiving authority determines what it will accept. Confirm its requirements before selecting notarization, an Apostille or consular legalization, because obtaining the police clearance and preparing it for overseas use are separate stages.

Asomerit provides certificate-only and full notarization/Apostille services. Current service scope and pricing are available on our [China Police Clearance Certificate service page](https://asomerit.com/china-no-criminal-record-certificate).

## What If You Lived in More Than One City?

One certificate should not be assumed to cover every period of residence across China. Police clearance procedures are local, and a multi-city history may require separate city analysis, separate certificates or a filing strategy based on where the applicant lived, registered and held residence permits.

Create a residence timeline before starting. For each city, record the dates of residence, passports used, visa or residence permit details and available temporary residence registration. That timeline shows which periods can be supported and which city requirements need to be checked.

Where the receiving authority asks for a continuous China residence period, confirm how it expects separate local certificates to be presented. The correct approach depends on the applicant's records and the receiving authority's document requirement.

## Can You Apply Yourself (DIY)?

Direct personal filing may be available when the applicant is in China and the relevant city accepts an application based on the documents available. The filing route and required evidence still depend on local practice.

If the applicant has left China, some cities may permit an authorised representative to apply or collect the certificate, while other local procedures may require the applicant to attend in person. Where representation is accepted, the route can require a power of attorney and complete passport, residence and registration records. Missing history, a former passport or a name change may need to be resolved before submission.

The useful first step is not choosing between self-filing and a service provider. It is confirming the correct city, eligibility basis and evidence set. Once those points are clear, the applicant can decide who should handle submission, collection and any later authentication.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is a PCC the same as a China NCR certificate?

PCC means Police Clearance Certificate and NCR means Non-Criminal Record. In this context, China Police Certificate, Certificate of No Criminal Record, Non-Criminal Record Certificate, PCC and NCR certificate are different English expressions used for the same general document category. Check the wording required by the receiving authority and the wording on the document issued for the case.

### Do I need to have lived in China for 180 days?

As a general baseline, foreign nationals who have resided in China for a cumulative period of about 180 days may be eligible for a criminal record inquiry. This only indicates possible eligibility: the supporting evidence, certified period and local application route vary by city and individual case.

### Can I apply for a China Police Certificate from abroad?

Some cities may permit an authorised representative to apply or collect the certificate, while other local procedures may require the applicant to attend in person. Review the residence city, passport history and current local route before preparing special authorization documents.

### What documents are normally required?

Common records include current and old passports, China visa or residence permit records, temporary residence registration, entry-exit records where required, destination information and a power of attorney where representation is accepted. The final checklist is city-specific.

### Does one Certificate of No Criminal Record cover every city in China?

Not necessarily. Police clearance procedures are local. A multi-city residence history may require separate city analysis, separate certificates or a strategy based on where the applicant lived, registered and held residence permits.

### Does a China police clearance need an Apostille?

That depends on the destination country, the form of the document and the receiving authority. A Hague Convention destination may use notarization followed by an Apostille, while a non-Hague destination may use notarization, authentication by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy or consular legalization. Confirm the receiving authority's requirements before selecting a route.

### Can I submit the application myself?

Personal filing may be available where the applicant is in China and the city accepts the application route and evidence presented. If the applicant is abroad, some cities may permit an authorised representative, while other local procedures may require the applicant to attend in person. Check the city requirements before choosing the filing method.

### Where can I check the current service scope and pricing?

Review the [China Police Clearance Certificate service page](https://asomerit.com/china-no-criminal-record-certificate) for current certificate-only and notarization/Apostille service information. Prices can change, so the service page is kept up to date with current rates.

**Need help with your application?** Submit your residence history, city information and destination-country requirements through the [China Police Clearance submission form](https://asomerit.com/non-criminal-record-certificate-submission).

![Tommy Zhang](https://asomerit.com/hubfs/%E6%9C%AA%E6%A0%87%E9%A2%98-1-2.jpg)

### Tommy Zhang

Practical China business guidance from Asomerit’s bilingual corporate services team.

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-zhang-asomerit-consulting> [mailto:tommy.zhang@asomerit.com](mailto:tommy.zhang@asomerit.com) <https://asomerit.com/?rel=author>

<https://asomerit.com/blog/author/tommy-zhang>

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