Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) – Download, Application Form and How to Apply

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is required for individuals applying for work, overseas migration or long-term visas abroad. A PCC certifies that an individual has no adverse criminal record in India. You can apply it from the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Key Highlights:

• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Meaning: A PCC is a certificate required for employment or immigrations purposes abroad.
• Police Clearance Certificate Application: You can fill out the PCC application online on the Passport Seva portal.
• Police Clearance Certificate Download: You can download the PCC from the Passport Seva portal.
• Required Documents for PCC: Address proof, original passport, etc.

What is a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a certificate issued to Indian passport holders when they have applied for residential status, a long-term visa, employment, or immigration purposes. It is an official document certifying that an individual has no criminal record or has not been involved in any criminal activity resulting in a criminal conviction.

However, the PCC is not issued for persons going abroad for vacations on a tourist visa. PCC can be applied through the Passport Seva portal. The passport issuing authority grants the PCC after local police authorities conduct verification checks and provide a clearance report.

Who Issues PCC?

The Passport Seva Kendra issues the PCC after clearance is received from the local police authorities. The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is administered under the oversight of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), or the Regional Passport Offices (RPO). 

When and Why Do You Need a PCC?

A Police Clearance Certificate is typically required in the following scenarios:

• Employment Abroad: It is required when applying for employment in certain foreign countries by individuals having an Indian passport.
• Long-Term Visa or Immigration: It is required when applying for a long-term visa or for immigration purposes abroad by Indian citizens.
• Residential Status: It may be required when Indian passport holders apply for a residential status in a foreign country.
• Legal Proceedings: It may be applied for certain legal matters, such as a name change or for other judicial requirements.
• Educational or Research Purposes: It is required by some educational institutions or research organisations as part of their admission or employment process.

Who Can Apply for a PCC?

The following persons can apply for a PCC:

• Indian citizens with a valid passport.
• Minors, in the event a foreign government requests it.
• Foreign nationals residing in India.

How to Apply for PCC Online (India)?

The Police Clearance Certificate online is a quick and easy process. Here’s how to apply for a PCC in India through the online Passport Seva portal:

Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva website and create an account if you haven’t already. If you already have an account, log in to the website.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Apply for Police Clearance Certificate’ link. 

Step 3: Fill in the Police Clearance Certificate application form.

Step 4: Schedule an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Step 5: Pay the required fees online through debit cards, credit cards, UPI or internet banking.

Step 6:  Visit the PSK on the scheduled date with the required original documents for verification.

Step 7: Once the PSK receives the police verification report, it will process and dispatch the PCC to your address.

Documents Required for PCC

The documents required for a Police Clearance Certificate could differ based on the reason for application. However, some standard documents required for PCC include:

• Proof of address, any one of the following:
  • Electricity bill
  • Water bill
  • Telephone bill
  • Voter ID
  • Aadhaar card
  • Bank statement
  • Rental agreement
• Original passport with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages, including ECR/Non-ECR page and observation page
• A recent passport-sized photograph

PCC Fees and Processing Time

The fees for a Police Clearance Certificate are ₹500. 

The processing time for the Police Clearance Certificate typically ranges from 21 to 30 days, depending on the time required for police verification.

Police Clearance Certificate Download

Once your application is processed and the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is issued, you can download it online by following the steps below:

Step 1: Log in to the official Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)’ section and click on ‘Track/ Download PCC’.

Step 4: Enter your reference number or application ID to check the status.

Step 5: If your PCC is ready, a download link will appear. You can download the PDF of your certificate by clicking on the download link.

PCC for Indians Living Abroad

Indians living abroad can also apply for a Police Clearance Certificate through the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate. They can also apply online through the Indian Embassies and Consulates website. Here are the steps to apply for PCC online by Indians living abroad:

Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates website.

Step 2: Register and log in to the website.

Step 3: Click on ‘Apply for Police Clearance Certificate’ option.

Step 4: Fill out the Police Clearance Certificate application form and submit it.

Step 5: Visit the respective Application Processing Centre, Embassy, or Consulate, along with the required supporting documents, for verification. 

Step 6: The Embassy or Consulate will forward the application to the concerned Passport Issuing Authority (PIA) in India. The PIA will issue the PCC upon receiving the status report from the local police.

PCC Validity

A Police Clearance Certificate does not have a specified validity period. It is generally valid for six months to one year, depending on the issuing country or authority. The validity may vary depending on the purpose of the PCC requirement.

How to Obtain PCC from a Police Station?

In India, a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) can only be obtained through the Passport Seva Kendra or the Regional Passport Office. The local police stations do not provide a PCC directly. 

The local police stations are involved only for verification purposes when issuing a PCC after receiving the PCC application from the PSK or RPO. They check the criminal record, residency, and background of the applicant and provide clearance. The verification results are sent to the Passport Issuing Authority (PIA), which issues the PCC. 

Thus, the issuing authority for a PCC is the PSK or RPO under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after receiving clearance from the local police. All official PCCs are linked to a valid Indian passport and can only be processed through the PSK or RPO. 

Police Clearance Certificate Application Form

The Police Clearance Certificate application form requires the following details:

• Your complete legal name as per official documents.
• The name of your father as mentioned on your official documents.
• Your DOB as per your birth certificate or official identification.
• Your current and permanent address.
• The reason for applying (immigration, job, long-term visa or legal purposes).
• Passport number, especially for visa or immigration applications.

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a document that is mandatory for several legal and administrative processes, particularly when obtaining long-term visas, employment overseas, or residential status, or for compliance with legal requirements. The Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Regional Passport Office (RPO) is the authority responsible for issuing the PCC in India after considering the police verification report.

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