Police clearance certificate apostille in India is mandatory while applying for a work visa abroad. When you travel abroad for work or residence, proving that you don’t have a criminal background in your home country is important. However, for a foreign country to accept your PCC issued in India, an apostille stamp is required. This article will help you understand the requirements, process and time line to get an apostille police clearance certificate in India.
What is a Police Clearance Certificate(PCC) in India?
Police clearance certificate also known by the names police verification certificate and character certificate is a document issued by government authorities such as state home department and passport office stating that the individual has no criminal background in India. This certificate acts as the proof of good conduct of the individual which is an essential requirement for job application.
How to Get a Police Clearance in India?
A police clearance certificate in India can be obtained through two routes:
- Through the state police(state home department)
- Through Passport Seva Kendra
PCC From State Home Department in India
Police Clearance Certificate from police department is issued by the home department of the respective state. You can get it through any of the following methods:
- By visiting nearest police station and applying offline
- By visiting the office of the superintend of police
- By vising the website of state home department
Depending on the work load of the local police station it may take from 2 weeks to 4 weeks to get a PCC. We have provided the link to apply for PCC from state home department of each state at the bottom of the page.
PCC From Passport Seva Kendra
If you are applying through passport Seva Kendra, the PCC issuing authority is ministry of external affairs itself. Thus, the verification process for apostille is easier. Thus, it is the most preferred method for getting a PCC, to submit abroad.
You can visit the official website of Passport Seva Kendra for PCC and book an appointment at nearest Passpoert Seva Kendra. You can visit the PSK with all required documents.
In this method PCC is usually issued within 10 working days.
What is the Police Clearance Certificate Apostille in India?
A PCC apostille is a certification on your PCC authenticating the use of it in a foreign country which is a Hague country. As an Indian government issued document, a foreign country cannot ensure the originality of the PCC. Thus, when submitting to a foreign country, the PCC needs to undergo a verification process and get an attestation and stamp from the ministry of external affairs known as apostille.
An apostille is considered as a legalization method among the countries that have joined the Hague Apostille convention. If you are submitting your PCC in a non Hague country, you need to get embassy attestation.
Why Do You Need a PCC Apostille in India?
A Police clearance certificate apostille from MEA India is typically required for the following purposes:
- Employment abroad
- Long-term visa applications
- Residency permits
- Higher education admissions
- Family reunification visas
Methods to Get a Police Clearance Certificate in India
In India, the ministry of external affairs situated in Delhi alone is the authorized entity to issue an apostille on any Indian document. An apostille for Police Clearance Certificate issued by Indian government can be obtained using two methods. The difference lies in the authority carrying out attestation and verification of PCC. They are:
- SDM Attestation Method to get apostille for PCC issued in india: Sub Divisional magistrate verifies the authenticity of the PCC.
- Home Attestation Method to get apostille for PCC issued by any state home department: The home department of the PCC issued state verifies and attests the document.
Only after receiving any one of the attestation mentioned above, will the MEA accept PCC for apostille.
Steps to Get Police Clearance Certificate Apostille in India- SDM Attestation Method
Documents Required to Apply for a PCC Apostille
While applying for an apostille police clearance certificate in India, you need to submit following documents to Direct Apostille Service:
- Original police clearance certificate
- Passport front and back page copies
Time Required to Get a PCC Apostille in India
Time to get a PCC apostille in India will vary depending on below factors:
- Method of verification
- The service you select (we have different services varying from two days to 14 days)
- Whether apostille is required on original or photocopy (If original, we need to send it to Delhi. We can process copies same day itself)
- If state home department attestation is required, depending on the state time will vary.
PCC Apostille Charge in India
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Link to Apply for PCC from Each State- From State Home Department
