How to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate for a Passport or Visa?

I had to apply for a PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) recently, and I was surprised at the lack of information about this online even though this is a very important thing without which you can’t get a passport, and some countries don’t issue you a visa.

In this post, I’m going to recount my experience and cover everything that I dealt with and learned about this process.

When do you need a PCC?

You need a PCC when applying for a passport or when applying for visas of certain countries, and while the overall process for this is similar — it is not exactly the same. As a result of this — your experience might be completely different from the experience of someone else whose situation varied only slightly.

Who issues you a PCC?

Usually, PCC is given by the Regional Passport Office of the place that you have resided in the last six months. Location is important because although the PCC is a document issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, it does mention the place it is issued at and many countries require you to get it from the place you have resided in.

This can pose challenges for people who travel for work, and don’t have an address proof in the place they currently live in.

Here is a list of all the documents that they accept as a residence proof:

If you don’t have any of these documents then getting an address proof in the form of a bank statement is your best bet.

You can change your address to your existing one at the bank which is usually a very straightforward process, and then request them to issue a bank statement for the last twelve months. You need to go to the bank to get this because the bank stamps and signs this statement, and that’s what authenticates it. The statement will not work for you if you just download it online; it needs to have the stamp of the bank.

Also, keep in mind that it should be the last twelve months, I didn’t read anywhere that this ought to be the case but they insist on it once you are at the center. The other interesting aspect about this is that the more things you have the better it is. If you have a rental agreement which is not registered, just notarize it and take it with you anyway. If your passport has a local address, but it is different from the one you’re applying for, take a copy of that as well, take a copy of all your official documents, visas that you may have for other countries, marriage certificate etc. Although these documents aren’t mentioned in the list of documents that can be given as proof, I believe they can be used as supporting documents and the staff there likes to get as many of these documents as possible.

Also, this is not written anywhere as well, you need to take your actual passport with you so they can verify that and also provide the stamp on that. This is very important. Something else that isn’t mentioned is that you have to write a letter saying why you need a PCC. This can be a simple typed letter, or even a handwritten letter.

Where do you apply for a PCC?

Go to the Passport Seva website, and take an appointment at a date and center convenient to you. I was getting appointments for the next day at Hyderabad, but I’ve heard from people that sometimes you have to wait a week or more.

When you book the appointment, there is an option to enroll into the SMS service for Rs. 35, I enrolled in that and paid the 35 rupees in cash at the center, and I think this is an important thing to keep in mind, so you keep getting updates on your status.

On the day of the appointment, take a print out of the appointment letter along with your other letters, and reach the center at the time prescribed. I’ve been there thrice now, and I don’t see any benefit of reaching there before time. At the prescribed time, they ask people who have appointments for that time to form a queue and get inside to get a token and I think this is a very simple and efficient way of managing their queue.

There were three zones – A, B and C and three officers who each do part of the process, and there is an electronic board that tells you which counter to go to based on your token number, and there are people who also escort people around counters.

At the first counter, they check the documents, and create a file for you. They ask questions about what other documents you may possibly have, and put everything relevant in that file.

At the second counter, they scan and upload these documents, as well as verify the details you filled online. I had made a mistake in entering my place of birth which they caught and corrected. You are also finger printed, and photographed at this counter.

In the third counter, the officer actually brings up your information on their computer, and it tells them whether there are issues with your case, whether there are no issues, but a physical police verification is required, or if a physical police verification isn’t required altogether.

PCC and PCC Stamp

If a physical police verification is not required altogether then they ask you to go to a counter where the individual takes the PCC letter and puts the stamps on them. He puts three stamps on them:

  1. An endorsement with your application number, and a place to hand-write the country for which the PCC is being issued.
  2. Second is a stamp of the Ministry of External Affairs.
  3. Third is the stamp of the individual authorized to give this clearance.

Not only do they stamp the PCC letter, they stamp a page on your passport as well.

After these stamps are placed, the authorized individual also signs the letter as well as passport page, and you are all set.

It is my understanding that you don’t need physical police verification if you had a verification done from the same place earlier, and it doesn’t matter how long ago that verification took place as long as there are no police records about you after that verification.

Physical Police Verification

If you do need a physical police verification then you are given a receipt number, and a document that you are supposed to take home.

They send an SMS with the name and phone number of the police officer who will come to your house to verify your details. This SMS usually comes the same or the next day, and the police officer comes the subsequent day. It is best to call the officer, and get a tentative idea of when he plans to come visit so you can be available at home when he comes there.

Here again, keep the original proof that you submitted to the passport office ready with you. If you gave a stamped bank statement, get another bank statement out, take a copy of all your documents whether they are listed or not, as well as take a copy of your passport. He will ask for all of these. He will also need signatures of two neighbors so ensure that you have two neighbors who are willing to sign as witness, any two will do, even from the same house.

How long does it take to get PCC after the verification?

This is another important thing to keep in mind — if you’ve been living in your current city for less than a year then the verification takes two to three weeks, but if you have been living in the city for more than a year then the verification is done the next week and then two or three days after that you can go to the Passport Seva Kendra and get your passport stamped and PCC letter issued.

This information is not present anywhere and it isn’t even very clear to me from which form they obtain this information, but the document that the police officer receives from the passport office contains this so make sure when filling the forms you pay attention to this.

This is everything I learned about this process, and while I truly feel the process is a lot better than the one ten years ago, there is no place where it is explained properly so you can be prepared for it. I hope this post helps people who are going to apply for a PCC and if you have any questions, or anything to add to this, please do leave a comment.

279 thoughts on “How to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate for a Passport or Visa?”

  1. Hi,

    I working in merchant navy, but now I want work in Indian coastal water as a officer, but Indian companies require POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE, What should I do? I try to submit form online, but there is no column for INDIA. Please suggest me.

  2. I have applied for passport 3weeks back I gave my permanent address but in police VERIFICATION they are asking 2 nd address proof iam ready to submit address proof in status police VERIFICATION is not clear under review at passport regional office
    I need passport urgently please tell me any solution. It is very urgent I don’t understand what to do

  3. Hi
    My passport issue date is 02/03/2009 & after that I did’nt use it.now i need pcc.i want to know that is a physical verification required or not for me.Also a minor mistake in my address printed on passport.it show H.No. 1137 & in place of the street no.6 they print again H.No.6.is that can be an issue.

  4. I had issued my PCC on 10th April 2015 which is no longer valid as of today. Recently I had visited Czech embassy for to submit my application, I was asked to resubmit the new PCC within next 30 days from application submission date. Note: My Passport is now at embassy, so my query is that Can I have PCC re-issued without Passport. I have outdated passport with me and application provided at embassy stating that I need to submit new PCC within 30 days. Can you please help since there is rarity of PCC knoweldge on internet.

    Thanks

  5. I need last 5 year Pcc for applying immigration visa.. last two years I was there in bangalore n presently I stay in dehradun. . Wen i stay in bangalore I stay in hostel. I don’t have any house agreement. Do for applying pcc wat should I do..

    1. Hi Punit,

      Could you please share sample application for PCC?
      If possible, if you highlight list of document which are require same (Current address is same as Passport Address)

      Thanks
      Anand Somani

  6. I also applied for PCC through online form. I live in Delhi and came to know about the online application of Police clearance certificate when i was in need of this. So I register my self and with in 21 days i get my clearance certificate through online. I am satisfied with this thanks to state police.

    1. Hi Punit,
      I need to ask some thing if you don’t mind,
      how did you get your PCC online as I cant find rather then filling PCC form and booking appointment, as I’m staying in New Delhi and my home town is in Kolkata, any help will be appreciated thank you.

        1. hi Punit,
          I reside in Gywer hall, Delhi university, north campus. As i have planned to go on a tour to europe, i might need PCC so would you be kind to guide me the procedure. I am tibetan Indian so i dont have passport instead i have identity certificate which is same as travel document provided by the Indian government.

          regards,
          Karma

  7. Hi,

    I live in delhi and have applied for Australian pr visa. I have taken PCC from delhi police. Is that different from the PCC issued by regional passport office which in my case is Delhi only.
    Appreciate your help. Thanx.

  8. My permanent residence address is different from the current address. I am staying with my brother and i don’t have any address proofs like rental agreement and bank account to provide.So what should i do now? Please help me…..

  9. Hi Manshu,

    First of all your article is very informative.
    My query is…if I am not staying at the adress given in passport , and If say am staying there, if they verify again. ( though staying in same city and during 2007 police verification was done when I got my passport)

  10. Hi,

    My query is as follows:
    My Passport is issued from: Ghaziabad (Issued in 2010)
    My US Visa Interview Location is: New Delhi Embassy
    My Present Address is: Bangalore
    I’m in Bangalore from: 5 years
    PCC Stamped: 22nd Sept

    I had applied to Bangalore PSK (Sai Arcade) and got the PCC Stamped on the very same day (Docs: My Rental Agreement, Company Appointment letter, last three months salary Slips, College Bonafide).

    Now my query is; do I need another PCC from Ghaziabad PSK or I’m good with the one I got from Bangalore PSK. I’m confused cuz my Interview location and Passport address.

    Thanks
    Anubhav

    1. hello,

      had you applied online or physically ?? i have passport issued in delhi and currently residing in UP. when i am applying for PCC online. .its showing an error that my current RPO as not same as permanent address ? do you have any idea about it ?

        1. thank you Shyam
          your comments was really helpful.
          booked appointment for Monday.

          when my wife went for pcc, she got on the same day.
          hopefully I get too.

  11. Hi.I have switched companies and moved to Bangalore from Mumbai.The new company wants me to make a PCC for visa processing and have been in Bangalore for just around a month. Moreover I am staying in a Paying guest accomodation.Can I get it done in Bangalore ? My PP place of issue is Raipur. Please suggest

  12. My police verification done one week back. I applied pcc 20 days back. I havent got any sms yet. My district commissioner office says they altrsdy sent “clear” message to psk an he suggests that i should go durectly with out sms and collect pcc. Can i do thay without sms?

      1. I am also in such a situation. Did u went to PSK directly asking for PCC?..what was their response?. Did u get your PCC done.?..

        Please provide details and what to be done when your verification is done and SMS/mail is not received from PSK?

      2. Hi manshu,
        I have applied for PCC,and visited psk and got a certificate with two stamps,of external affairs and the issuing officer’s at psk,
        What would be the next process

    1. am also in such a situation. Did u went to PSK directly asking for PCC?..what was their response?. Did u get your PCC done.?..

      Please provide details and what to be done when your verification is done and SMS/mail is not received from PSK?

    2. Im also havina same issue regarding this..
      Finaly when did you get your pcc after police verification
      If yes then did you got sms aur directly you went to passport office

  13. i want to know, 1] i have school leaving certificate, but no birth certificate, DOB is before 1989, then do i need to produce proof of place of birth, 2] my present address is different from permanent address, i have no proof of present address, do i need to get pcc from both address.

  14. Get the bank address updated first, and then go to the bank the next day and get a 12 month statement from the bank. This statement will show your new address, and as absurd as this may sound, this is sufficient for the address proof.

    1. I have few queries.
      1) I have applied for PCC for visa and they sent me back as I don’t have any present address proof ( present address is different than permanent/passport address and also notary agreement they didn’t accept.). Shall I apply again with different credentials with only permanent address. As I am residing in my present address from last 3 weeks.
      2) regarding bank statement, in bank I have my permanent address and to change that address they are asking register agreement and I only have notary agreement.
      3) My bank account is just 6 month old. Even if I get the address changed I can only get 6 month bank statement.

      Please help. Let me know if I can apply freshly with different details i.e. only permanent address details. Or I have to get registered agreement only as bank also asking for it to change my address on passbook. Is there any other option.

  15. My permanent residence is in Kolkata, but I am working in Chennai for past few years and staying in a pg. I do not have any rental agreement neither do I have any official document at this current residence. My bank account also has my permanent address details. Now if i want to change it to the current one, the want me to produce some addressproof which i dont have. So how do I get my bank address get updated. Please reply soon. Its urgent.

  16. hi, i need to know if the address is same as passport do they ask more documents rather than the passport? as it is written in the website: ‘The list of documents provided in the table above is indicative. The decision of APO/RPO shall be considered final’.

  17. The PCC processing officer at RPO checks if a PCC exists in the system (probably issued when your passport was issued). Next, if your current address is same as address on passport, then PCC is issued on same dayin a matter of hours. However, PCC process can take upto 5-8 weeks in case the PCC does not exist in their system (e.g.your passport was issued when online pcc process did not exist), OR if your address has changed OR if you have changed addresses in last 6-12 months. The moment RPO sends police verification request to police commissioner office, the entire process becomes unpredictable as police dept is always overburdened with applications.In fact, most police station in my city now have a separate police verification cell, yet there’s a good amount of backlog. Process for police verification for visa purpose is treated same as for new passport, and hence takes same amount of time and documents.

    1. The only difference I experienced was that my current address was in fact different from the address present in the passport but I was still able to get the stamp the same day.

      1. In your case the police verification report already existed in the system (from your passport issue or reissue process). If you have moved within the same city or police station area, they would consider that report to be good for PCC issuance.

        1. Hi, I have a PCC issued to me for a new passport and it is still valid (less than 12 months old) . I need to get a PCC from the RPO but I live in Hubli, so the nearest RPO according in the list is either Bangalore or Goa. I have lived in Hubli all my life so there is no issue of change in address. And, the passport was issued from the RPO in Bangalore. Do I need to go back to that same office or can I apply from another convenient place?

        2. In me and my wife’s case it’s same address but shift from first floor to ground floor and passport was issued just 2 years back. Still police verification is required. It was a religious bias I strongly suspect, as the lady officer who attended my case prevented another officer who was ready to issue it for my wife. Another person who waited with us who had change of address within same city was issued PCC! And he was of same region as the lady officer!! This is psk tambaram, Chennai

      2. Hi Manshu,

        A query for you. Say my permanent address is Kolkata but I am residing in Pune from last 5 months. Can I get the PCC from Pune or I have to get it from Kolkata in that case I would need to travel?

          1. Hi,

            I also have the same query. I applied for the fresh passport. My present address is in Pune. I am staying here from less than a year. My police verification is completed in Pune but my permanent residential address is in MP. For police verification there I sent my father from my behalf (as one police verification is already done in Pune) with all the necessary documents, but the police is asking for me to present there physically just for signing the sheet. Instead of travelling so far do I have any alternative here? Plus I am unable to take leaves now from my office.

            Thanks,
            Shruti

          2. Hi Manshu,

            What all proofs can we submit in-case we are residing at the current address from past 6 months.

            1. You need to have your passport original and photocopies of front and last two pages of ur passport. If your present address is different from permanent address or in passport , you need to give the proof of address from employer, electricity bill, phone bill or nationalised bank pass.

      3. Hi Manshu,
        Was you passport number changed OR address on passport changed because you current address was different than address on passport.

      4. Plz sent me the link of
        “Passport clearance certificate ”
        On 9914854931
        I’ll try and didn’t find any thing

      5. Hi Manshu,
        As of now am living in Pune and my passport done from Jaipur, Rajasthan.
        I have a rental agreement as Pune address proof.
        Request you please guide me how can i get PCC certificate asap as my Visa is in process.
        Please help me out in this am greatful to you.
        Contact details: 8600041258

      6. Hai i have applied for pcc in passport office bangalore , as i am recently married my current address is different from present address but in the same down and i only have marriage certificate as the address proof. ? is it compulsory that i have to get the pcc from passport office can i approach in the local police station? kindly help it out

    2. I got my passport renewed without police verification as I am a senior citizen but since I am migrating to the US I need a PCC. The seva kendra did not issue me one as they said I required verification. But it is 10 days since the verification was done by the police yet the status when I track my application shows that report of verification is pending. What should I do?

    3. Dear Sir,
      I require PCC to get visa, and when I visited Passport office they were asking me Visa, contract letter duly stamp by indian embassy & marriage certificate if married. I tried to convince them by showing the circular of Oman that they require PCC to issue visa. But got rejected. I have approached me-seva and gone through proper channel but that also gone in vein. Approached SP office with an application requesting for PCC to get Visa with all the documents. They also want visa. So, Kindly guide me. It’s since 15 days I am struggling.

      1. Have you got PCC? What documents need to submit to get PCC ? Have to submit any contract copy of employment document?

    4. Hi in my case I resided in city more than 2 years and got my police verification done, but my passport was having address of another city and pcc doesnt exsist in system when passport was issued so i am having status about my pcc that its under review since 4 weeks, can you please help what can i do 🙁

    5. I went to passport seva website and I found other options but I couldn’t find the page to book my appointment.please help I need passport police clearance for visa.Also,can I fill up form for police clearance directly without booking appointment? I’m so confused, been stuck here for month now and my visa process is pending.

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