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What Documents are Required for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?
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What Documents are Required for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?

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Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Feb 12, 2026 19:28 IST
Those who are planning to go for studying abroad need a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). Although not everyone requires it. But those who are planning to stay for a long period of time in a foreign country for any reason require to get a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).

What documents are required for a police clearance certificate in India? Having a police clearance certificate is mandatory to prove that you have no criminal record in India. At the time of visa application (Residential Status or Employment), many countries ask for this certificate, which is issued by Indian police.

Documents Required for Police Verfication

To get a student visa of Canada, USA and UK, you need to go through strick verification process. One of the most important requirements is getting a valid Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). This official document serves as a mandatory background check. PCC confirms that you have no criminal record in your home country. It ensures you are a safe candidate for a long term student visa.

For Indian students, this application is typically processed through the Passport Seva Kendra. Getting your PCC on time depends on how well you are prepared. Many students face unnecessary delays or even rejection simply because they fail to carry the correct set of original documents during their appointment.

You need to submit some documents that verify your identity and current residence. Passport and Aadhar card are a few important documents for this. In this article, we simplify the process by providing you with the complete checklist of police clearance certificate required documents so you can organize your paperwork efficiently and secure your visa without stress.

Table of contents
  • What is a Police Clearance Certificate?
  • List of Police Clearance Certificate Required Documents
  • Which Countries Require a PCC?
  • What is Police Verification for PCC?
  • Process to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC Online)
  • Process to Check Police Character Certificate Online (PCC Apply Online)
  • How to Download Police Verification Certificate
  • FAQs Related to Documents are Required for PCC
View More

What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

The full form of PCC is Police Clearance Certificate. As you can understand by the name, it is a kind of document issued by the Indian Police. PCC is proof that a person has no criminal record in India. It's needed by many countries for student visas to verify your background.

A PCC is required not only for a student but for anyone who is going to work or live in another country. Note that tourists who go for a short duration in any foreign country do not require a PCC.

List of Police Clearance Certificate Required Documents

Aspirants can obtain a Police Clearance Certificate by submitting the filled-in Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Application Form at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), which comes under the jurisdiction of your Passport Office (PO). Also, in the case of minors, if the destination country asks for it, then they have to obtain the Police Clearance Certificate as well.

List of Documents Required for PCC in India Details
Documents for Police Verification
  • Proof of Date of Birth (Any Government-Approved Photo ID)
  • Proof of Present Address (Of Legal Guardian)
  • Attested Copy of passport
Passport Self-attested photocopy of passport with first and last two pages, including the page of observation (if it is there) and ECR/Non-ECR page. This is a crucial element of the police clearance certificate required documents.
PCC Application Receipt
  • Application Receipt received from Passport Services
  • Even SMS received from Passport services can work
Address Proof (Current)
  • Electricity bill
  • Telephone bill
  • Water bill
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Voter ID/Election Commission Photo ID card
  • Bank account details: Passbook (photo) of your current bank account
  • Rent Agreement: The Rent Agreement must be in the name of the tenant by the landlord for more than a year.
  • The Rent Agreement should be registered under Section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908.
  • Spouse’s passport: A passport copy of your spouse will work, however, the present address of the applicant should match the spouse's present address.
  • A certificate issued by the employer of renowned companies on their letterhead
  • In the case of minors, a copy of the parents’ passports is required
Additional Police Clearance Certificate Required Documents
  • Documentary proof of applying for residential status, employment (copy of employment contract) or a long-term visa for immigration
  • Sponsorship declaration by the sponsor (for dependent family members)

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Which Countries Require a PCC?

Q:   What is the validity of the PCC (Police Clearance Certificate)?
A:

Validity of Police Clearance Certificate is not defined. It shows the criminal record of a person in past. However, you can use this Police verification certificate for the period 6 months to apply for work or study visa. In order to get this PCC, you must have a valid Indian passport and proof of address.

Q:   How can I get a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India?
A:

To get a PCC register through the Passport Seva online portal. Once registration is done, log in and click on the link to apply for PCC. Then, enter required details and submit them. Next, do the online payment and schedule an appointment.

Q:   What documents are required for PCC?
A:

Here is list of Police clearance certificate required documents: 

  • Original passport with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages including ECR and Non-ECR page

  • Present address proof

  • Documentary proof of applying for residential status, employment (copy of employment contract) or long term visa for immigration

  • Sponsorship declaration by the sponsor (for dependent family members)

Most countries do not ask for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for student visas. This document is generally needed for work visas or permanent residency. However, some immigration authorities or colleges may specifically ask you for it.

Here are some countries that may require Indian students to submit a PCC:

  • Spain: Required for almost all Indian students staying longer than six months.

  • Italy: Mandatory for the "Type D" long-term student visa of Italy.

  • Canada: Highly recommended for 2026; immigration officers now frequently ask for it.

  • Australia: Often required as part of the "Character Requirement" for a student visa.

  • Belgium: A standard requirement for all Indian students applying for a study permit.

  • Germany: Sometimes requested by local authorities when you apply for your Residence Permit.

  • USA: Usually not required for the initial visa, but colleges may ask for it.

Important Tips for 2026:

  • Validity: Most countries only accept a PCC issued within the last 6 months.

  • Process: In India, the fastest way to get one is through your local Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

  • Apostille: For European countries (like Spain or Italy), you must get your PCC Apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs after it is issued.

Always confirm Police clearance certificate required documents before applying for it. This will help you to save your time.

What is Police Verification for PCC?

Police verification is required if in case the current residence address mentioned by you is different from what is mentioned in your passport, which you are holding presently. We are giving you two scenarios, so you can understand better in which case police verification is required:

Case 1

If your passport was issued in February 2013 and was renewed in February 2024 and you haven’t changed your residential address, then you need not undergo any police verification until your passport expires. However, if you apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) once your passport expires, then physical police verification is required even if you are staying at the same address.

Note: There is no validity of a Police clearance certificate. It shows the criminal record of a person in past, not in the future.

Process to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC Online)

The following points provide the steps to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate:

  • Use the Passport Seva online portal to register yourself.
  • Click on the ‘apply for police clearance certificate’ link.
  • Fill in the required details.
  • Click on the ‘pay and schedule appointment’ link.
  • Make the online payment and print the application receipt.
  • Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) on the day of your appointment.

Process to Check Police Character Certificate Online (PCC Apply Online)

  • The Police Character Certificate (PCC) is part of the passport renewal exercise. However, students and individuals can apply for their PCC online by visiting the official state police website. The steps to applying for PCC Online via the State Police Portal are mentioned below:
  • Applicants would be required to visit the official State Police Website and click on "Police Verification Certificate" option
  • Applicants would be required to fill out the correct details against each column of the police verification form
  • Applicants would then be required to upload their photograph in the dimensions mentioned by the website. Along with a valid ID proof of their present address in the state they are applying from. 
  • The final step would include the applicant having to pay a non-refundable fee for the Police Verification Certificate application. 
  • Once the application for the Police Character Certificate is booked, the PCC appointment will be complete within 7 working days. 

How to Download Police Verification Certificate

Entire process of getting PCC from scratch can take anywhere between 7 to 21 working days. Applicants can also check the status of their police verification certificate online. Just visit the official state police website. Fill up all details asked for and download their police verification certificate online.

Related Articles:

Documents Required for Admission in the UK Documents Required for Diploma Courses in Canada
Documents Required for Filling Applications for Universities in the USA Documents Needed to Start Your Student Visa Application for Australia

Feel free to mention any queries in the comment section, and we will be happy to answer your questions. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.

FAQs Related to Documents are Required for PCC

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About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
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Comments

(4)

J

JOEL CAMPOS

a year ago

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What kind of Documentary proof is applicable for long-term visa for immigration?

Reply to JOEL CAMPOS

A

Akhila

3 years ago

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What if my passport is submitted for visa stamping ? What document should I bring for PCC ?

Reply to Akhila

P

Piyush Kohli

3 years ago

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Hi Akhila, it is always good to have all the documents but in case you don't have any of the document then you can show the remaining one and also show the proof that the passport has been submitted for visa stamping.

S

Sucharita

3 years ago

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As mentioned in Case 1 will the PCC be issued immediately everywhere?

Reply to Sucharita

S

Sachin Singh

4 years ago

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I want to take out pcc but first i was stying in mumbai then i shifted to thane. But i haven't change my address of any documents. And we sold our mumbai house. Address mentioned on passport is also of mumbai home. So now how cab i get pcc any idea plz suggest?

Reply to Sachin Singh