Overview
The process of obtaining a Shanghai police certificate as an expat can be intimidating and confusing. However, it is a necessary step for those who wish to deal with work, immigration, visas, enrollment, and other matters in China or a third country. A police certificate proves that an individual does not have a criminal record in China.
To obtain a police certificate, expats must first go to the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. Once the documents have been submitted, the police will conduct a background check to determine if the individual has any criminal record. This process can take anywhere for five to seven working days, depending on the workload of the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.
After the background check is complete, the police will issue a certificate in Chinese. The certificate will include the person’s name, birthdate, period reside in China, and any information on criminal records, if any. The certificate is then ready to be collected and used for various purposes, such as applying for a visa or a job.
Under normal circumstances, the Shanghai non-criminal record certificate must be notarized when used in overseas countries, and the notarization of Shanghai non-criminal record certificate is issued by the Shanghai 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 Shanghai Non-Criminal Record Certificate?
Foreigners who have lived in Shanghai for more than 6 months and have a residence permit in Shanghai before they can apply for a non-criminal record certificate in Shanghai. Generally, foreigners holding Z (work), X1 (study), or J1 (journalist) visa will have a residence permit in Shanghai and can apply for a Shanghai non-criminal record certificate.
How to get a Non-Criminal Record Certificate in Shanghai?
The non-criminal record in Shanghai is issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau. The Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau requires foreign nationals to have lived in Shanghai for more than 6 consecutive months before they can apply for a Shanghai non-criminal record certificate. The Shanghai non-criminal record certificate can be used to deal with work, immigration, visas, enrollment, and other matters in a third country.
Procedure of Obtaining Shanghai Non-Criminal Record Certificate
- STEP 1: Apply non-criminal record certificate at Shanghai 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 Shanghai?
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 Shanghai Police Certificate from Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, you may make an application to notary public office for a notarial certificate. Processing time for the notarial Shanghai Police Certificate is seven working days, excluding mailing time.
It is important to note that the application process for a police certificate in Shanghai can take several weeks and may require the individual to provide additional information or documentation. Therefore, foreign nationals seeking a police certificate in Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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 Shanghai to apply, you need to provide authorization apostilled by Ministry of foreign affairs or legalized by Chinese Embassy/Consulate. 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
You must prepare the necessary documents for the Shanghai Police Certificate application. This may include following documents:
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 copies 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 Shanghai within 24 hours. You need to bring the copies of residence registration forms at the Public Security Bureau.
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. If you need to authorize third party to apply for the police certificate on your behalf, you need to provide authorization apostilled by Ministry of foreign affairs or legalized by Chinese Embassy/Consulate.
Apostille and Legalization are two certification types. The country in which the authorization is issued determines the type of certificate needed.
• An apostille is for documents issued in member countries of the Hague.
• Consular authentication certificate is for documents issued in Non-Hague Convention countries.
Does the Shanghai 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 Shanghai Police Clearance, we will help you as follows:
In some cases, the applicant cannot obtain a Shanghai police certificate or cannot obtain a police certificate covering all the period of residence in Shanghai.
Reasons for the failure to apply for a Shanghai Police Clearance:
1. Stay in Shanghai for no more than 6 months.
2. The temporary residence registration was not registered during the period of residence in Shanghai.
3. Have a criminal record while living in Shanghai.
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.
Shanghai Police Certificate that you obtain
Names of documents to obtain:
1. Shanghai Police Clearance Certificate issued by Shanghai Public Security Bureau.
2. Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Convictions issued by Shanghai Notary Public Office.
Please be noted that the original police certificate issued by Shanghai Public Security Bureau will be retained by Shanghai Notary Public Office. A notarial certificate of Clearance issued by Notary Public will be provided to you.
Sample of Shanghai Police Clearance Certificate
How to confirm the authenticity of a criminal record in Shanghai?
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 Shanghai police certificate as an expat may seem like a daunting task, but it is necessary for those who want to live and work in Shanghai. By following the proper steps and providing the necessary documents, expats can obtain the certificate to prove their eligibility for visas and employment.
Apostille and Legalization for Non-Criminal Record in Shanghai
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 Shanghai Police Certificate is to be used in Hague Convention countries, the applicant needs to get the Shanghai Police Certificate apostilled. A Consular legalization certificate is needed for a Shanghai police certificate to be used in Non-Hague Convention countries.
How to Apostille the Shanghai Police Certificate
Take the Shanghai Police Certificate to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipality for apostille.
How to legalize China Police Certificate
• Take the China Police Certificate to Chinese Foreign Ministry or Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipality for authentication.
• Take authenticated China Police Certificate to corresponding Embassy/Consulate in China for legalization.
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