Overview
The Guangzhou Police Certificate is an official document issued by the Guangzhou Exit-Entry Administration Bureau to confirm that a foreigner resident in Guangzhou has no criminal record. Having a Guangzhou police clearance certificate is often required for various purposes, including employment, studying, and residency permit application. It is important to note that a police clearance certificate is usually valid for six months from the date of issue. After that, a new certificate must be obtained.
To obtain a Guangzhou police clearance certificate, a foreigner must go to the Guangzhou Exit-Entry Administration Bureau in person. Keep in mind that the process may take up to five to seven working days to complete, so it is recommended to start the application process early.
After completing the background check, the police will issue a certificate in Chinese. The certificate will include the applicant’s name, birthdate, period reside in China, and any information on criminal records, if any.
Under normal circumstances, the Guangzhou non-criminal record certificate must be notarized when used in overseas countries, and the notarization of Guangzhou non-criminal record certificate is issued by the Guangzhou Notary Public Office. The notarial certificate contains notarized pages in Chinese and an officially translated foreign-language version.
Who is required to obtain a Guangzhou Non-Criminal Record Certificate?
Foreigners who must have lived in Guangzhou for more than 6 months and held a residence permit in Guangzhou before they can apply for a non-criminal record certificate in Guangzhou. Generally, foreigners holding Z (work), X1 (study), or J1 (journalist) visa will have a residence permit in Guangzhou and are eligible to apply for a Guangzhou non-criminal record certificate.
How to get a Non-Criminal Record Certificate in Guangzhou?
The non-criminal record in Guangzhou is issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau. The Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau requires foreign nationals to have lived in Guangzhou continuously for over six months before they can apply for a Guangzhou non-criminal record certificate. The Guangzhou non-criminal record certificate can be used for various official purposes, including work permits, immigration, visas, enrollment, and other matters in a third country.
Procedure of Obtaining Guangzhou Non-Criminal Record Certificate
1. Fill out an application form on the website of Guangzhou Exit-Entry Administration Bureau to schedule an appointment that requires basic information about the applicant, including name, nationality, passport details, and contact information.
2. On the appointment day, submit the application form, along with the required documents, to the processing officer in person. He/she will provide confirmation of the application being submitted and the expected date for collection.
3. On the day of collection, the applicant must return to the same office with the pick-up slip. If the clearance is approved, the applicant will be given a police clearance certificate.
How long does it take to apply for a Non-Criminal Record application in Guangzhou?
After submitting the application, it takes approximately five to seven working days for the police to review the case and release the certificate. If any problems come up 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 Guangzhou Police Certificate from Guangzhou Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, you can apply for notarization at a notary public office Processing time for the notarial Guangzhou Police Certificate is seven working days, excluding mailing time.
It is important to note that the application process for a police certificate in Guangzhou can take several weeks to process and may require the individual to provide additional information or documentation. Therefore, foreign nationals seeking a police certificate in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou 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 present in person, you must provide a scanned copy of authorization letter to appoint a third party to apply for Guangzhou Police Certificate.
Documents checklist for request of Police Clearance Certificate
You must prepare the necessary documents for the Guangzhou Police Certificate application. This may include following documents:
1. Scanned copy of current passport including:
- Photo page
- All visa pages
- Residence permit pages
- Pages with exit-entry stamps
You must bring the copies of passports to the Public Security Bureau. Or you may ask a third party to present in person with your copies of passports to make application where written consent applies.
2. (If applicable)Scanned copy of previous passport including :
- Photo page
- All visa pages
- Residence permit pages
- Pages with exit-entry stamps
3. Scanned copy of residence registration form.
Residence Registration Form is the form that you filled upon your arrival in China within 24 hours. It is required documents for request of Guangzhou Police Certificate.
4. Scanned copy of work permit if you worked in Guangzhou; Or scanned copy of study permit if you studied in Guangzhou.
Work permits, and degree are optional documents for police certificate application.
5. Scanned copy of authorization letter if applicants need to authorize the third party to apply for Guangzhou Police Certificate.
You must provide a written consent if you need someone other than you to deal with your application on your behalf.
Does Guangzhou Non-Criminal Record Certificate cover all of China?
There is no national issuing authority of China Police Certificate covering the whole China. Applicants should apply for Guangzhou Police Certificate at the Entry and exit reception Hall for foreigners of Guangzhou Public Security Bureau.
Guangzhou Police Certificate only confirms that applicant has no criminal record during living in Guangzhou not the whole China.
If you are unable to obtain a Guangzhou Police Clearance, we will help you as follows:
In some cases, the applicant cannot obtain a Guangzhou police certificate or cannot obtain a police certificate covering all the period of residence in Guangzhou.
Reasons for the failure to apply for a Guangzhou Police Clearance:
1. Stay in Guangzhou for no more than 6 months.
2. The temporary residence registration was not registered during the period of residence in Guangzhou.
3. Have a criminal record while living in Guangzhou.
Immigration/employment authorities in some foreign countries may be exempt from submitting overseas police certificates.To apply for the exemption, we can provide a letter of declaration from our company explaining why the police certificate cannot be obtained.
Guangzhou Police Certificate that you obtain
Names of documents to obtain:
1. Guangzhou Police Clearance Certificate issued by Guangzhou Public Security Bureau.
2.Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Convictions issued by Guangzhou Notary Public Office.
Please note that the original police certificate issued by Guangzhou Public Security Bureau will be kept on file by Guangzhou Notary Public Office. A notarial certificate of Clearance issued by Notary Public will be provided to you.
Sample of Guangzhou Police Clearance Certificate


How to confirm the authenticity of a criminal record in Guangzhou?
Individuals can verify the authenticity of the Notarial Police Certificates in the following ways:
- 1. QR Code Verification:Notarial certificates from some notary public offices bear two-dimensional code allowing you to scan the code to check the authenticity. You may check the notarial certificate by inputting the verification code.
- 2. Online Verification: You may log in the Notary Public Office website to check the authenticity of the certificate with a specific code.
- 3. Phone Verification: 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 Guangzhou 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.
Apostille and Legalization for Non-Criminal Record in Guangzhou
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 official use abroad after you have obtained notarial certificate from China Notary Public.
To find out if your document requires authentication, confirm the requirements by contacting the organization requesting your documents or the embassy, high commission, or consulate of the country where your document will be used.
It is worth mentioning that China has officially joined the Hague Convention in November 2023. Therefore, if you’re using a Guangzhou Police Certificate in Hague Convention countries, the applicant needs to get the Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou Police Certificate
Take the Guangzhou Police Certificate to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province for apostille.
How to legalize Guangzhou Police Certificate
• Take the Guangzhou Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry or Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province for authentication.
• Take authenticated Guangzhou Police Certificate to corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China for legalization.
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