Certificate of good conduct UK: which document do you need and how do you get it apostilled?

The UK does not issue a document called a Certificate of Good Conduct, but ACRO Police Certificates and DBS certificates often fulfil the same purpose. Learn which document you need and how to apostille it for international use.

3 min read

If you are applying for a visa, residency permit, overseas employment or citizenship abroad, you may be asked to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct.

This can be confusing because the UK does not issue a document with that exact title.

Instead, foreign authorities usually accept a UK police certificate or criminal record document as evidence of good conduct.

Understanding which document is required and how to legalise it can help avoid delays with international applications.

What is a Certificate of Good Conduct?

A Certificate of Good Conduct is generally a document confirming an individual's criminal record history, or confirming that no criminal record exists.

Different countries may refer to it as:

  • Police Clearance Certificate
  • Police Certificate
  • Criminal Record Certificate
  • Background Check
  • Good Conduct Certificate

The purpose is usually to demonstrate that an applicant does not pose a security or public safety risk.

Which UK document is equivalent to a Certificate of Good Conduct?

ACRO Police Certificate

For most overseas applications, the ACRO Police Certificate is the preferred document.

Issued by the ACRO Criminal Records Office, it contains information held on the Police National Computer and is specifically designed for immigration and international use.

ACRO Police Certificates are commonly required for:

  • Immigration applications
  • Permanent residency applications
  • Citizenship applications
  • Overseas employment
  • Family sponsorship visas
  • Long-term residence permits

In most cases, this is the document foreign authorities expect when requesting a Certificate of Good Conduct.

DBS Certificate

A DBS certificate is primarily intended for employment and safeguarding purposes within the UK.

It may be required for:

  • Teaching roles
  • Healthcare positions
  • Social care work
  • Working with children
  • Working with vulnerable adults

Although a DBS certificate can sometimes be accepted abroad, it is generally not the preferred document for immigration purposes.

Disclosure Scotland and AccessNI

Applicants in Scotland and Northern Ireland may also encounter:

  • Disclosure Scotland certificates
  • AccessNI checks

These documents perform similar functions within their respective jurisdictions but are not commonly used for international immigration applications.

When do you need a Certificate of Good Conduct?

Foreign authorities frequently request criminal record documentation when applying for:

  • Work visas
  • Immigration programmes
  • Permanent residence
  • Citizenship
  • International employment
  • Adoption applications
  • Volunteering positions
  • Professional licensing

Some universities and educational institutions may also require a police certificate.

How do you obtain a UK police certificate?

The process depends on the document required.

For most international applications:

  1. Apply for an ACRO Police Certificate.
  2. Provide identification documents.
  3. Submit proof of address.
  4. Supply a passport-style photograph if required.
  5. Wait for the certificate to be issued.

Processing times vary depending on the service selected.

Does a Certificate of Good Conduct need an apostille?

In many cases, yes.

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

An apostille certificate issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirms that the document is genuine and can be recognised internationally under the Hague Apostille Convention.

Without an apostille, some authorities may reject the certificate.

ACRO Police Certificate apostille

ACRO Police Certificates are among the most commonly apostilled UK documents.

They are frequently required for:

  • Australian visas
  • Canadian immigration
  • US immigration procedures
  • European residency applications
  • Overseas employment contracts
  • Family reunification applications

The original certificate can normally be apostilled directly.

DBS certificate apostille

DBS certificates can also be apostilled.

However, they often require solicitor certification or notarial certification before the apostille process can take place.

This additional step can make the process slightly more complex than legalising an ACRO Police Certificate.

Do some countries require embassy legalisation?

Yes.

Countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention may require embassy attestation after the apostille has been issued.

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

Fast apostille services for police certificates

At Orcap, we assist clients throughout the UK with:

  • ACRO Police Certificate apostille
  • DBS certificate apostille
  • Same day apostille services
  • FCDO apostille UK processing
  • Solicitor certification
  • Notarial certification
  • Embassy attestation
  • Fast apostille and legalisation services

Our team can advise which document is appropriate for your destination country and application type.

Need a Certificate of Good Conduct apostilled?

Whether you require an ACRO Police Certificate for immigration or a DBS certificate for overseas employment, Orcap can help.

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

Our services

  • Premium 1-day Apostille service

    Our premium apostille service is ideal for urgent requirements, offering fast-track processing through the FCDO apostille UK service. Documents are prioritised to ensure you receive your apostille as quickly as the next working day, depending on document type and eligibility.

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    Solicitor certification + Apostille

    We provide solicitor certification for documents that require it before apostille, ensuring they meet all FCDO apostille UK standards. Once certified, your documents are submitted for fast apostille processing, helping to avoid delays and ensuring full international compliance.

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    Sets of documents

    We offer combined apostille and legalisation services for multiple documents, allowing you to process document sets efficiently. This approach saves time, ensures consistency across all paperwork and helps streamline FCDO apostille UK processing.

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    Embassy attestation

    For non-Hague Convention countries, we offer complete embassy attestation and consular legalisation services. We manage the entire process, including FCDO apostille UK processing followed by embassy submission, ensuring your documents are fully compliant for international use.

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    Notary certification + Apostille

    Documents for international use may require notary certification before apostille. We arrange certification by a UK Notary Public, followed by FCDO apostille UK processing, ensuring your documents meet all legalisation requirements and are accepted worldwide.

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    Translation

    We provide professional certified translation services for documents requiring apostille and legalisation. All translations are prepared to meet official UK and international requirements, ensuring acceptance for overseas use alongside FCDO apostille UK processing.