In this post, we explained what Police Clearance Certificate is in the Nigerian context, cost, procedures and how to obtain police report/ clearance and the needs for and what/ items you should obtain Police Clearance Certificate for.
What is Police Clearance Certificate?
Police clearance certificate (PCC), also known as Police Certificate, Police Report, good conduct certificate or good citizen certificate is an official document given by the Police as a background check on those who are moving to another country.
Police clearance certificate (in Nigeria) is an official document issued by the (Nigeria) Police as a background check on those who are immigrating to another country. Police character clearance is done to check whether an applicant has criminal record. This document is to guaranty the host country that you are not wanted by law in the country you are coming from. Simply put, police certificate is a document that shows the country you are immigrating to that you are of good character, who maintains a clean slate.
The crux of issuing police permit is to ascertain whether an applicant has criminal record or not. It stands as a background check for one’s personality. Before granting employment, an employer may in a way request the prospective employee to provide a police clearance report. In essence, it is a document evidencing that you are a law-abiding citizen and you are not wanted in the country that issued it.
Who is Eligibility for Police Clearance Certificate?
Eligibility for police clearance certificate depends largely on the Nigerian policy force in Nigeria. However, applicants may be required to submit police certificates of countries which they have stayed beyond some certain periods. In the case of Nigeria, a foreigner who has lived in the country for more than 30 days can obtain the document.
Procedures to Obtain (PCC) or Good Conduct Certificate
Police Clearance Certificate can be applied for via two means, to wit: physically and remotely.
Physical Mode
When it is physically, that is, by yourself or through a third party who has all the necessary details, then your PCC should be issued within the first month.
Remote Mode
For the remote mode, the following documents have to accompany the application:
- a prepaid return courier envelope
- a copy of your passport photo page
- a set of fingerprints taken and certified by a recognized police authority or the Nigerian embassy or consulate
- an international money order payable to the Nigerian Police Force, C.I.D. (Criminal Investigation Department).
Requirements for PCC or Good Citizen Certificate
- The Valid international passport and Two passport-size photographs are required.
- Visit the central Criminal Registry, Nigerian Police Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
- Ask to be directed to the proper office to obtain the form.
- Obtain the form there.
- Fill accordingly.
- Submit it.
How to Certify Your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
Having completed these processes, and obtained your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)/ Good Conduct Certificate, you are required to also certify the certificate in your host country at the nearest Nigerian Embassy These are the necessary documents needed:
- 2 Copies of Passport Data Page.
- Copy of the completed Fingerprint
- Proof of Address in Host Country.
- Resident Status in Host Country
- Self-Addressed Envelope (for Nigerians in EU).
- Administrative Fee
- Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission.
This is the broad process and requirements for applying for a PCC. There may however be some unique requirements from some countries not covered here, but generally, this is the simplified way to get your Police Clearance Certificate.
How to Apply for Police Clearance certificate
While some have complained that the process of applying for a Police Clearance Certificate in Nigeria is largely stressful, some others have gone through the process with ease and without so much to complain about. To enjoy a smooth process of application, you can use our service for your Police certificate.
How Much is Police Clearance in Nigeria?
It is difficult to state the exact amount Police clearance goes for in Nigeria as there is no fixed price for the process nor the document. The amount you pay for the process and document depends on where or state you are making the application at.
You can engage the service of a consultant to assist you to obtain PCC/ Police Report/ Good Conduct Certificate/ Good Citizen Certificate. However, you should expect to spend anything between N35,000 – N70,000 to complete the whole process.
Where Police PCC or Good Citizen Certificate May Be Rejected
There are several reasons your application for a police report/ certificate may be rejected at the point of application in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. They may include:
- If someone is a drug trafficker.
- If someone is an escapee from immigration detention in another country.
- If someone is not of good character.
- If someone is trying to escape justice in another country.
- If someone belongs to an association or group that has been outlawed in your country.
Notably, any condition that may warrant suspicion may make the authorities to reject police clearance certificate application as the case may be.
Importance of Police Certificate/ Report
You may want to ask why do I need to obtain Police Clearance Certificate or Good Citizen Certificate are needful with there several reasons.
- Good Citizen clearance is needed by those who want to change country of residence.
- In some instances, you may be mandated to get police clearance certificate if you want to occupy a sensitive position in Nigeria, though simply called police attestation.
- You will need police character certificate if you are invited by the Canadian Immigration office to complete your application for a temporary or permanent residence (as a worker).
- You will also need to upload a Police character certificate if you are to proceed on a post graduate programme in UAE, UK, Canada, Russia or any foreign institutions.
- Even as a tourist to another country, you will need police character cert. to show that you don’t have outstanding criminal record back home, and ensure that you won’t be a threat to your host country.
For your PCC/ Police Report/ Certificate, you can use our service.