Overview
Recently, there has been an increasing number of foreign nationals applying for Criminal Record Certificates (CRC) in Beijing. This may be due to a variety of reasons, including employment, visa applications, or other legal procedures. The process of applying for a CRC in Beijing can, however, be a complicated process, especially for foreign nationals who may not be familiar with the Chinese legal system.
Since December 2019, there have been some changes in the relevant regulations for foreigners to apply for a non-criminal record certificate in Beijing. The procedures for applying for a non-criminal record certificate in Beijing have changed. The previous policy of obtaining a foreign national’s non-criminal record certificate directly through a notary no longer applies. From the end of 2019, foreigners who need to apply for a non-criminal record certificate in Beijing must apply for a non-criminal record certificate at Beijing Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, and then make an application to notary public office for a notarial certificate , if they are involved in applying for immigration, work visas or other types of visas.
The Beijing non-criminal record certificate only means that the applicant has no criminal record during his or her stay in Beijing. Under normal circumstances, the Beijing non-criminal record certificate must be notarized when used in overseas countries, and the notarization of Beijing non-criminal record certificate is issued by the Beijing Notary Public Office. The notarial certificate contains notarized pages in Chinese as well as notarized pages translated into foreign languages.
Who is required to obtain a Beijing Police Certificate?
Foreigners who have lived in Beijing for more than 6 months and have a residence permit in Beijing before they can apply for a non-criminal record certificate in Beijing. Generally, foreigners holding Z (work), X1 (study), or J1 (journalist) visa will have a residence permit in Beijing and can apply for a Beijing non-criminal record certificate.
How to get a police certificate in Beijing?
The non-criminal record in Beijing is issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau. The Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau requires foreign nationals to have lived in Beijing for more than 6 consecutive months before they can apply for a Beijing non-criminal record certificate. The Beijing non-criminal record certificate can be used to deal with work, immigration, visas, enrollment, and other matters in a third country.
Procedure of Obtaining Beijing Non-Criminal Record Certificate
- STEP 1: Apply for non-criminal record certificate at Beijing Public Security Bureau.
- STEP 2: Submit the police certificate to Notary Public Office for a notarial certificate of Clearance Certificate.
How long does it take to apply for a Non-Criminal Record application in Beijing?
After submitting the application, it takes approximately five to seven working days for the police to review the case and release the certificate. If there are any issues found that require further review, the applicant will be notified by phone or email. If the certificate is successful, the applicant can pick it up in person or nominate a representative to pick it up.
After obtaining the Beijing Police Certificate from Beijing Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, you may make an application to notary public office for a notarial certificate. Processing time for the notarial Beijing Police Certificate is seven working days, excluding mailing time.
It is important to note that the application process for a CRC in Beijing can take several weeks and may require the individual to provide additional information or documentation. Therefore, foreign nationals seeking a CRC in Beijing should plan accordingly and allow adequate time for the application to be processed.
If the applicant cannot come to China to apply, can he/she authorize a representative to apply for Beijing Police Certificate?
Most Chinese cities allow a representative to apply for a China Police Certificate. Applicants are required to provide a power of attorney (POA) to nominate a representative to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate.
Each city has different requirements for power of attorney. If you cannot come to Beijing to apply, a signed letter of authority for third party applications is required. You must provide a written consent if you need someone other than yourself to process your application on your behalf.
Documents checklist for request of Police Clearance Certificate
You must prepare the necessary documents for the CRC application. This may include following documents:
1. Original current and previous passports.
You will be required to bring the original passports to the Public Security Bureau. Or you can ask a third party to present in person with your old passport and new passports to make application where written consent applies.
2. Scanned copy of Registration form(s) of temporary residence.
Registration form of temporary residence is the form that you filled upon your arrival in Beijing within 24 hours. If you currently reside in Beijing, it is required documents for a Beijing Police Certificate. Whereas it is an optional supporting document if live abroad currently.
3. Scanned copy of work permit or scan copy of original degree/diploma.
Work permits and degrees are optional documents for police certificate application.
4. Applicant’s address(es) he/she ever lived in Beijing.
5. Signed letter of authority for third party applications.
You must provide a written consent if you need someone other than yourself to process your application on your behalf.
Does the Beijing Non-Criminal Record Certificate cover all of China?
Like the United States, Canada and other countries, China’s non-criminal record certificate for expats is uniformly managed by the central management system, which is implemented by the local Public Security Bureau, so in most cases, the non-criminal record certificate means that there is non-criminal record in the whole of China.
If you are unable to obtain a Beijing Police Clearance, we will help you as follows:
In some cases, the applicant cannot obtain a Beijing police certificate or cannot obtain a police certificate covering all the period of residence in Beijing.
Reasons for the failure to apply for a Beijing Police Clearance:
1. Stay in Beijing for no more than 6 months.
2. The temporary residence registration was not registered during the period of residence in Beijing.
3. Have a criminal record while living in Beijing.
Immigration/employment authorities in some foreign countries may be exempt from submitting overseas police certificates. To apply for the exemption, we can provide a declaration letter from our company explaining why the police certificate cannot be obtained.
Beijing Police Certificate that you obtain
Names of documents to obtain:
1. Beijing Police Clearance Certificate issued by Beijing Public Security Bureau.
2. Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Convictions issued by Beijing Notary Public Office.
Please be noted that the original police certificate issued by Beijing Public Security Bureau will be retained by Beijing Notary Public Office. A notarial certificate of Clearance issued by Notary Public will be provided to you.
Sample of Beijing Police Clearance Certificate
How to confirm the authenticity of a criminal record in Beijing?
Individuals can verify the authenticity of the Notarial Police Certificates in the following ways:
- 1. Notarial certificates from some notary public offices bear two-dimensional code allows you to scan the code to check the authenticity. You may check the notarial certificate by input the verification code.
- 2. You may log in the Notary Public Office website to check the authenticity of the certificate with a specific code.
- 3. You may call the Notary Public Office to check the authenticity of the notarization. Name of applicant, date of birth of applicant, and serial number of the certificate shall be provided for verification.
In conclusion, obtaining a criminal record certificate in Beijing as a foreigner requires careful attention to detail and patience, with the possibility of language barriers and legal discrepancies adding to the complexity of the process. However, with the correct preparation and guidance, applicants can successfully obtain a certificate and meet the required criteria for their visa, residency, or employment in the city.
Apostille and Legalization for Non-Criminal Record in Beijing
Getting a document legalized or obtaining an apostille is sometimes required before you can use a China document abroad. Some foreign countries may require the China documents to be authenticated for acceptance in the foreign jurisdiction after you have obtained notarial certificate from China Notary Public.
To find out if your document requires authentication, confirm the requirements by contacting the authority requesting your document or the embassy, high commission, or consulate of the country where your document will be used.
It is worth mentioning that China has formally acceded to the Hague Convention in November 2023. Therefore, if a Beijing Police Certificate is to be used in Hague Convention countries, the applicant needs to get the Beijing Police Certificate apostilled. A Consular legalization certificate is needed for a Beijing police certificate to be used in Non-Hague Convention countries.
How to Apostille the Beijing Police Certificate
Take the Beijing Police Certificate to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China for apostille.
How to legalize Beijing Police Certificate
• Take the Beijing Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry for authentication.
• Take authenticated Beijing Police Certificate to corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China for legalization.
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