Overview
For expats seeking to live and work overseas, obtaining a police certificate from their previous place of residence can be a requirement for their visa application. In the case of Hangzhou, China, expats who previously resided in the city and are applying for a visa to live in another country may need to obtain a Hangzhou police certificate.
Most countries require expats to obtain this certificate as part of their visa application process. This certificate is typically required for anyone seeking a long-term visa for reasons such as work, study, or permanent residency. Obtaining a Hangzhou police certificate can be a tedious process, but it is necessary to ensure a smooth visa application process. You can obtain this certificate by visiting the Public Security Bureau in Hangzhou in person or through a representative.
Once the background check is complete, the Hangzhou Public Security Bureau will issue the police certificate if there is no criminal record on file for the applicant. The certificate will be issued in Chinese and will state that the applicant has no criminal record on file in Hangzhou.
The Hangzhou non-criminal record certificate only means that the applicant has no criminal record during his or her stay in Hangzhou. Under normal circumstances, the Hangzhou non-criminal record certificate must be notarized when used in overseas countries, and the notarization of Hangzhou non-criminal record certificate is issued by the Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou Police Certificate?
Foreigners who have lived in Hangzhou for more than 6 months and have a residence permit in Hangzhou before they can apply for a non-criminal record certificate in Hangzhou. Generally, foreigners holding Z (work), X1 (study), or J1 (journalist) visa will have a residence permit in Hangzhou and can apply for a Hangzhou non-criminal record certificate.
How to get a Police Certificate in Hangzhou?
The non-criminal record in Hangzhou is issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Hangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau. The Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Hangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau requires foreign nationals to have lived in Hangzhou for more than 6 consecutive months before they can apply for a Hangzhou non-criminal record certificate. The Hangzhou non-criminal record certificate can be used to deal with work, immigration, visas, enrollment, and other matters in a third country.
Procedure of Obtaining Hangzhou Non-Criminal Record Certificate
STEP 1. Submit required documents to Exit-Entry Administration Office of Hangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau for review.
STEP 2. Exit-Entry Administration Office of Hangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau conducts criminal record check. If applicant has criminal record, the Non-criminal Record Certificate is unobtainable.
STEP 3. Submit Hangzhou Police Clearance Certificate to Notary Public Office in Hangzhou.
STEP 4. Notary Public Office issues Hangzhou Notarial Certificate of Non-criminal Record.
How long does it take to apply for a Non-Criminal Record application in Hangzhou?
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 Hangzhou Police Certificate from Hangzhou Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, you may make an application to notary public office for a notarial certificate. Processing time for the notarial Hangzhou Police Certificate is seven working days, excluding mailing time.
It is important to note that the application process for a police certificate in Hangzhou can take several weeks and may require the individual to provide additional information or documentation. Therefore, foreign nationals seeking a police certificate in Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou to apply, a signed letter of authority for third party application is required. You must provide a written consent if you need someone other than you to deal with your application on your behalf.
Documents checklist for request of Police Clearance Certificate
1. Scanned copy of current and previous passport photo pages, visa pages, residence permit pages and exit-entry stamp pages.
You will be required to bring the copy of passports at the Public Security Bureau. Or you may ask a third party to present in person with your copy of passports to make application where written consent applies.
2. Scanned copy of Residence Registration Form(s).
Residence Registration Form is the form that you filled upon your arrival in China within 24 hours. If you currently reside in Hangzhou, it is required documents for request of Hangzhou Police Certificate. Whereas it is optional supporting document if live abroad currently.
3. Scanned copy of work permit or scan copy of original degree/diploma.
Work permits, and degree are optional documents for police certificate application.
4. Signed letter of authority for third party application.
You must provide a written consent if you need someone other than you to deal with your application on your behalf.
Does the Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou Police Certificate at the Entry and exit reception Hall for foreigners of Hangzhou Public Security Bureau.
Hangzhou Police Certificate only certifies that applicant has no criminal record during living in Hangzhou not the whole China.
If you are unable to obtain a Hangzhou Police Clearance, we will help you as follows:
In some cases, the applicant cannot obtain a Hangzhou police certificate or cannot obtain a police certificate covering all the period of residence in Hangzhou.
Reasons for the failure to apply for a Hangzhou Police Clearance:
1. Stay in Hangzhou for no more than 6 months.
2. The temporary residence registration was not registered during the period of residence in Hangzhou.
3. Have a criminal record while living in Hangzhou.
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.
Hangzhou Police Certificate that you obtain
Names of documents to obtain:
1. Hangzhou Police Clearance Certificate issued by Hangzhou Public Security Bureau.
2.Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Convictions issued by Hangzhou Notary Public Office.
Please be noted that the original police certificate issued by Hangzhou Public Security Bureau will be retained by Hangzhou Notary Public Office. A notarial certificate of Clearance issued by Notary Public will be provided to you.
Sample of Hangzhou Police Clearance Certificate
How to confirm the authenticity of a criminal record in Hangzhou?
Some individuals may need to obtain proof of no Conviction for following reasons:
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.
Obtaining a Hangzhou police certificate is an essential step for expats looking to immigrate to another country. While the process of obtaining this certificate can be lengthy and complicated, it is necessary to ensure a smooth visa application process. As an expat, it is crucial to understand the process and ensure that you have all the necessary documentation required for the visa application.
Apostille and Legalization for Non-Criminal Record in Hangzhou
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 Hangzhou Police Certificate is to be used in Hague Convention countries, the applicant needs to get the Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou Police Certificate
Take the Hangzhou Police Certificate to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or Foreign Affairs Office of Zhejiang Province for apostille.
How to legalize Hangzhou Police Certificate
Take the Hangzhou Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry or Foreign Affairs Office of Zhejiang Province for authentication.
Take authenticated Hangzhou Police Certificate to corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China for legalization.
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