HOW TO GET POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (PCC) IN NIGERIA

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HOW TO GET POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (PCC) IN NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

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.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.

ELIGIBLILITY FOR POLICE CLEARANCE REPORT COLLECTION

Eligibility for police clearance certificate depends largely on the policy of the country. 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. For Australia, to apply for citizenship, countries where applicants have resided for 3 months or more if the applicants have been outside Australia for more than 12 months since acquiring permanent residency; for visa applications, countries where applicants have resided for 12 months or more. For United States and Canada, it is the Countries where applicants have resided for 6 months or more. Ecuador limits hers to country where applicants have principally resided during the last 5 years and for New Zealand, it is countries where applicants have resided for 12 months or more.

WHY POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (PCC) IS ESSENTIAL

1. Clearance is needed by those who want to relocate to another country.

2. To contest for an elective post, it may be mandated to get police clearance certificate especially when it is a sensitive position in Nigeria. This is however called police attestation.

3. The clearance may be needed when invited by the Canadian Immigration office or that of any countries to complete application for a temporary or permanent residence as a worker.

4. The certificate may be required to study in any foreign institution.

5. Even as a tourist to another country, one may need police character certificate to show that someone does not have outstanding criminal record back home.

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN POLICE CLEARANCE REPORT

• 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. The Valid international passport and Two passport-size photographs are required. The process are highlighted below:

• 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.

If there are any other requirements to be met, do fulfill them, and all things being equal, your PCC should be issued within the first month.

REMOTE MODE

For the remote mode, the following documents have to accompany the application:

1. a prepaid return courier envelope

2. a copy of your passport photo page

3. a set of fingerprints taken and certified by a recognized police authority or the Nigerian embassy or consulate

4. an international money order payable to the Nigerian Police Force, C.I.D. (Criminal Investigation Department)

HOW TO CERTIFY YOUR POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (PCC)

Having completed these processes, and obtained your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), you are required to also certify the certificate in your host country at the nearest Nigerian Embassy These are the necessary documents needed:

1. 2 Copies of Passport Data Page.

2. Copy of the completed Fingerprint

3. Proof of Address in Host Country.

4. Resident Status in Host Country

5. Self-Addressed Envelope (for Nigerians in EU).

6. Administrative Fee

7. 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.

WHY POLICE CLEARANCE APPLICATION MAY BE REJECTED

There are several reasons your application for a police clearance certificate may be rejected at the point of application in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. They may include:

1. If someone is a drug trafficker.

2. If someone is an escapee from immigration detention in another country.

3. If someone is not of good character.

4. If someone is trying to escape justice in another country.

5. 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..

NB: This article is not a legal advice, and under no circumstance should you take it as such. All information provided are for general purpose only. For information, please contact chamanlawfirm@gmail.com

WRITTEN BY CHAMAN LAW FIRM TEAM

EMAIL: chamanlawfirm@gmail.com

TEL: 08065553671, 08024230080