Complete Guide to UK Police Clearance Certificate with Apostille

来华工作签证必备材料 · 2026最新流程与费用详解

📅 2026年7月📍 中英均为海牙公约成员国⏱ 阅读约 6 分钟

😰 Are you experiencing these issues?

After spending years studying in the UK and finally securing a job offer from my dream company back home, I was told just before joining:Apostille of the UK Certificate of No Criminal Record is required to process the work permit.

You obtained a Police Certificate issued two years ago, but you were toldExpired for over 6 monthsStart over from scratch.

Or, as a British native English teacher, you're staring helplessly at the ACRO website's fully English application portal because the school is rushing you to get your work visa."How much for expedited shipping? How long to FCDO? What if I send it to the wrong address?"

——这种Time is ticking by, but materials are stuck in transit.We get the anxiety.This isn't your fault. The problem is that international certification rules are too fragmented.

Why get 01 apostille certification?

First, grasp this core logic:The Hague Apostille originates from the 1961 Hague Convention and its core function isSimplify cross-border document flowIt verifies the authenticity of official seals on documents, enabling them to take effect directly in all member countries of the convention without requiring consular legalization from the destination country's embassy.

🔑 Key Reminder:Both China and the United Kingdom are signatories to the Hague Convention. Therefore,To use a UK Certificate of Criminal Record in China, it must be authenticated with an Apostille.Otherwise, relevant agencies (such as the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau or Exit-Entry Administration)不会认可。

2023年11月7日，中国正式加入《取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》。此后，英国发往中国的文件Apostille certification is required.and is no longer the original Chinese Consulate authentication.

Who needs to apply?These groups cannot escape:

• ✅ 在英国居住超过一年的中国公民，回国申请工作或居留许可

• ✅ UK citizens applying for a Chinese work visa (Z visa) or residence permit

• ✅ Applying for China's Permanent Residence Permit as a Chinese Citizen of British Nationality

• ✅ 国内公考、参军政审中有英国旅居经历者

• ✅ UK background checks are required for judicial proceedings such as international marriages and inheritance.

💡 One-sentence summary:A UK criminal record check without Hague Apostille certification is worthless in China—courts, human resources departments, and immigration authorities will not accept it.

How to get 02? The latest 3-step process

⚠️ 核心原则：顺序不可颠倒！Apply for the criminal record certificate first, then obtain the Hague apostille. The 2026-year process is now fully digitalized for greater efficiency.

Apply for UK Police Certificate 1

🔹 ACRO Channel (Mainstream Standard)— For study abroad, immigration, and employment background checks

🔹 DBS渠道（特殊职业）— Ideal for roles in healthcare, education, and more

💡 Ideal for cross-border scenarios like work visas99%的人需要办的是ACRO证明

📌 Materials: Passport scan + white-background ID photo + UK address from the last 10 years + parent information

2 UK Lawyer/Notary Public Certification

Original documents must be notarized by a UK-qualified solicitor or notary public to confirm their authenticity. DBS certificates do not include the signature of the issuing officer.You must complete lawyer verification or notarization first.Otherwise, FCDO will not accept it.

📌 Notary fee: approx. £80–£150

3 UK FCDO Apostille

Issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

📌 The Apostille certificate is a standard A4 document featuring the UK Royal Coat of Arms and a unique identification number.

⏱ Standard 5-10 business days · Express 3-5 business days · Urgent 1-2 business days

03 Time · Cost · Documentation — Fully Transparent

⏱ Processing Time

* The overall process typically takes 3-4 weeks. We recommend applying 1-2 months in advance.

📋 Packing List (Dress Code) – Don't Forget!

📄 ACRO Application Form (Fully Completed)

Scanned copy of the passport's personal information page

📸 Passport-sized white background ID photo

🏠 UK address history for the past 10 years

Proof of Current Address (Bill from the last 3 months)

Parents' Names and Basic Information

💳 Payment Card (for billing)

Notarization and Authentication Application Form (Specify Purpose)

⚠️ 3 Pitfalls to Avoid:
① 无犯罪证明开具后6个月内有效Expired; please reapply.
② Application purpose must be clearly specified as "Work Visa for China" or "Immigrate to China”；
3. All information must be accurate. Providing a fake address or falsifying documents will result in inclusion on the FCDO blacklist.

04 Get it right, save time and effort.

🌍 Gongshitong · Global Notarization & Authentication Expert

Both UK notarization and UK Hague apostille must be performed atUKProceed. Gongshitong is here.Direct office in London, UKProvides direct notary and authentication services for the UK.

✅ Our Core Advantages:

🔹 All UK colleagues have10 years of notary qualificationProficient in various notarization methods and document processing

🔹 直通英国警局系统，No need to return to China personallyGet your "Certificate of Clearance" delivered to you in 2 weeks, no matter the distance.

🔹 Global Coverage60Notarization, Apostille, and Consular Legalization Services

🔹 SupportOnline ApplicationComplete material review and payment via website, WeChat, or WhatsApp.

Documents we process for the UK, including but not limited to:No criminal record certificate, academic and degree certificates, transcripts, marriage certificate, proof of identity, kinship certificate, power of attorney, driver's license, company registration certificate, etc.

📌 Final reminder:

① Provide your UK address history for the past 10 years in advance to avoid delays due to incomplete information.

2. Do not fold or alter authenticated documents; we recommend scanning and retaining an electronic copy.

3. If unfamiliar with the process, you may hire a licensed agency, but verify its credentials first.

🌟 Leave the professional work to the professionals.Gongshitong: Your seamless path to international certification.

* This information is compiled based on the UK FCDO and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs public policies from 2026 7, for reference only.
Actual fees and processing times are subject to official execution at the time of application. Gongshitong reserves the right of final interpretation.