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Criminal Record Checks

Obtaining Criminal Record Checks: A Complete Practical Guide

Criminal record checks—often called police checks or police clearance certificates—are commonly required for employment, migration, visas, professional licensing, study, adoption, and international travel. While the concept is simple, the process varies significantly by country and purpose.

This guide explains what a criminal record check is, when you need one, and how to obtain it efficiently, including for international use.

What Is a Criminal Record Check?

A criminal record check is an official document issued by a government authority confirming whether an individual has a criminal history within a particular jurisdiction.

Depending on the country, it may disclose:

  • Convictions only
  • Charges and court outcomes
  • Spent convictions (in limited circumstances)
  • A statement of “No Disclosable Court Outcomes” or “No Criminal Record”

A criminal record check reflects records only in the issuing country. It is not a global or worldwide clearance.

Common Situations Where Criminal Record Checks Are Required

You may be asked to provide a criminal record check for:

  • 💼 Employment (especially government, finance, education, healthcare)
  • 🛂 Visa and migration applications
  • 🎓 University or student visa applications
  • 🧑‍⚖️ Professional registration (lawyers, doctors, teachers, engineers)
  • 👶 Adoption, fostering, or child-related work
  • 🌍 Overseas work or residency permits

Some applications require checks from every country where you have lived for a specified period, often 6 or 12 months.

Types of Criminal Record Checks

1. National Police Checks

Issued by a national authority and cover offences recorded at the national level.

Examples include:

  • Australia – National Police Check
  • UK – Police Certificate
  • Canada – RCMP Criminal Record Check

2. Local or State-Level Checks

Some countries issue checks at a state or provincial level, particularly where policing is decentralised (e.g. the United States).

3. Purpose-Specific Checks

Certain checks are limited to specific uses:

  • Employment checks
  • Immigration or visa checks
  • Vulnerable persons or working-with-children checks

These are not interchangeable unless expressly accepted by the receiving authority.

How to Obtain a Criminal Record Check (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Identify the Correct Issuing Authority

The issuing authority depends on where the check is required from, not where you currently live.

Examples:

  • Australia – Australian Federal Police (AFP)
  • United Kingdom – ACRO Criminal Records Office
  • United States – State police authorities or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for federal checks
  • Canada – Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

Step 2: Choose the Correct Purpose

Most application forms require you to select the purpose of the check, such as:

  • Employment
  • Immigration / visa
  • Overseas use
  • Personal use

Choosing the wrong purpose may result in the check being rejected by the receiving authority.

Step 3: Provide Identity Documents

Typically required:

  • Passport
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of current or previous addresses

Some jurisdictions require fingerprints, particularly where:

  • You have a common name
  • You are applying from overseas
  • An FBI or RCMP check is requested

Step 4: Processing Time

Indicative timeframes:

  • Australia: 1–15 business days
  • UK: 2–10 business days
  • FBI (US): 1–3 weeks (longer if fingerprints are mailed)
  • Canada: 1–4 weeks (fingerprints required in many cases)

Express or priority services may be available.

Using Criminal Record Checks Overseas

If the criminal record check will be used internationally, you may need:

Apostille or Legalisation

  • Countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention generally require an apostille
  • Non-Convention countries require consular or embassy legalisation

Certified Translation

If the document is not in the official language of the destination country, a certified translation may be required—and sometimes apostilled separately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Applying to the wrong authority
❌ Selecting an incorrect purpose for the check
❌ Using an expired police certificate (many are valid for only 3–12 months)
❌ Assuming one country’s check covers another country
❌ Forgetting apostille or legalisation requirements

How Long Is a Criminal Record Check Valid?

There is no universal validity period. Common practice:

  • Employment: 3–6 months
  • Migration: usually issued within the last 6–12 months
  • Professional registration: determined by the regulator

Always confirm the validity requirements with the requesting authority.

Should You Use a Professional Service?

A professional document or apostille service can be helpful if:

  • You need checks from multiple countries
  • You are applying from overseas
  • Fingerprinting is required
  • Tight deadlines apply
  • Apostille or embassy legalisation is needed

This can significantly reduce delays and rejected applications.