ACRO police certificate: what it is, who needs it and how to get it apostilled

If you are moving abroad, applying for a visa or seeking employment overseas, you may be asked to provide an ACRO Police Certificate.

This document is one of the most commonly requested UK criminal record certificates for international use and is often required by immigration authorities, employers and foreign government agencies.

What is an ACRO Police Certificate?

An ACRO Police Certificate is an official document issued by the ACRO Criminal Records Office on behalf of UK police forces.

It provides information held on the Police National Computer (PNC) and is specifically designed for people travelling, working or relocating abroad.

The certificate may show:

• No Trace
• No Live Trace
• Convictions
• Cautions
• Warnings
• Reprimands
• Other relevant police information

Who needs an ACRO Police Certificate?

An ACRO Police Certificate is commonly required for:

• Immigration applications
• Residency permits
• Citizenship applications
• Overseas employment
• Teaching jobs abroad
• Family sponsorship visas
• Long-term visas
• International adoption procedures

Countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and many EU nations frequently request ACRO Police Certificates.

ACRO Police Certificate vs DBS certificate

Many people confuse ACRO Police Certificates with DBS certificates.

ACRO Police Certificate

• Designed for international use
• Commonly requested for immigration and visas
• Issued by ACRO Criminal Records Office

DBS Certificate

• Primarily intended for UK employment
• Commonly used for safeguarding roles
• Issued through the Disclosure and Barring Service

If a foreign authority requests a police clearance certificate, an ACRO Police Certificate is usually the correct document.

How to apply for an ACRO Police Certificate

Applications are made directly through ACRO.

Applicants typically need:

• A valid passport
• Proof of address
• Passport-style photograph
• Application fee

Processing times vary depending on the service selected.

Does an ACRO Police Certificate need an apostille?

In many cases, yes.

Foreign authorities often require the certificate to be legalised before it can be accepted overseas.

The legalisation process involves obtaining an apostille certificate from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

The apostille confirms that the ACRO Police Certificate is genuine and can be recognised internationally.

Countries that commonly require an apostilled ACRO certificate

Examples include:

• Spain
• Italy
• Portugal
• France
• Germany
• Australia
• Mexico
• South Korea
• Chile
• Colombia

Requirements vary depending on the authority and application type.

Do some countries require embassy legalisation?

Yes.

If the destination country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, additional embassy attestation may be required after the apostille has been issued.

This is common for certain countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Fast ACRO apostille services

At Orcap, we assist clients throughout the UK with:

• ACRO Police Certificate apostille
• Same day apostille services
• FCDO apostille UK processing
• Embassy attestation
• Fast apostille and legalisation services
• Immigration document legalisation
• Visa document authentication

Our team can advise on the correct legalisation route based on your destination country.

Need an ACRO Police Certificate apostilled?

Whether you are applying for a visa, relocating overseas or starting a new job abroad, Orcap can help.

Contact our team today for fast apostille, embassy attestation and document legalisation services throughout the UK.