What is a Police Character Certificate?

Police Character Certificate, also known as the Police Clearance Certificate or PCC, is a certificate issued to an individual as proof that this individual who must have lived in Nigeria is free from criminal activities, has no criminal background, or isn’t trying to evade punishment for a crime.

Although there are several reasons why an individual may require this certificate, one of the most common is for travel purposes, usually outside the country. Another reason is because some establishments do make it a compulsory requirement before offering an individual a job. 

The Police Clearance Certificate is also issued to foreigners who have lived in Nigeria for a period of at least 30 days 

Who is responsible for issuing Police Character Certificate?

Police Clearance Certificate

The Police Character Certificate is issued by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). 

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How to apply for a Police Character Certificate

The Police Character Certificate can be applied in person or through a third-party. 

Note that to apply in person you may need to visit the Police Central Criminal Registry in your state of Residence. You will be given a form to fill in your details which will be submitted with a copy of your international bio data page. 

A valid international passport and two passport-size photographs are part of the requirements for this document. 

After this has been done and submitted, the forensic officer will run an analysis and a full background check to find out if you have a criminal record using your fingerprint. The certificate will then be processed and issued out. 

However if you cannot apply in person then a third-party can help. You can either apply directly through the Nigerian Police Force website or through a service agent (which will attract a slightly higher fee).

You can apply through us by clicking here (Apply for a Police Character Certificate). Application fee is ₦60,000 plus shipping fee. After submitting the application, you will receive the form from us – sent to your email address. Prepared to provide the following information on the form, and have an inkpad on hand for fingerprinting. 

  1. Address:
  2. Name (full name as on passport):
  3. Place of Birth:
  4. Year of Birth:
  5. Tribe:
  6. Passport data page:
  7. Passport photo:
  8. Reason for enquiry:
  9. Signature:
  10. Race: eg. African
  11. Fingerprint in corresponding boxes

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Why your application may be rejected

Your Police Character Certificate may be rejected for various reasons. Some of these include:

  1. If the applicant lacks moral character
  2. If the applicant has escaped from immigration custody abroad
  3. If the applicant is involved in drug trafficking
  4. If the applicant is attempting to elude justice abroad
  5. Or if the applicant is a member of an organisation or group that is prohibited in Nigeria

The authorities reserve the right to deny applications for Police Character Certificates if there are any circumstances that raise suspicion.

Note that sometimes Police Character Certificates are required of business people and women as well as students and tourists who have stayed in a country longer than is permitted by law.

For further information contact us at +234 905 135 5955 or send a mail to info@chassis.ng