Are you wondering who issues police character certificate in Nigeria or how to easily get one? If this has been troubling you then this article is for you.

Who Issues Police Character Certificate in Nigeria

As you read through this page, get ready to learn about the easy steps on how to apply and get your police character certificate.

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What Is Police Character Certificate?

Before we discuss about “who issues police character certificate in Nigeria”, know this. The Police Character Certificate (PCC) is also known as the Police Clearance Certificate or Report. It attests to the holder’s lack of criminal history in Nigeria.

Applications from foreigners are less common, despite the fact that this document is also granted to foreigners who have lived or resided in Nigeria for at least 30 days.

To apply for this, use this LINK. Or you can visit the Nigerian Police Specialized Services Automation Project/Platform (POSSAP), where both Nigerians and non-Nigerians can try.

However, as you read on, what you will learn is primarily intended for Nigerian nationals living outside the country who need the PCC in order to invest, obtain a residency permit, or pursue other activities.

Who Issues Police Character Certificate in Nigeria?

Who issues police character certificate in Nigeria? Police Character Certificates are NOT issued by the Nigerian Consular Mission. Nonetheless, for a price, certain Nigerian missions may apply for a police background check on behalf of the applicant.

The actual function of the Nigerian Consular Mission in the procedure is authentication, which is carried out following the acquisition and legalization of the Police Clearance Certificate in Nigeria.

Therefore, it is advisable that Nigerians who would like to get this certificate apply in person at the Nigerian Police Forensic Department, Alagbon Close, Lagos, or through a proxy (relative or friend).

Before being submitted to the Nigerian Consular Mission overseas for verification, the document must be legalized at the Consular and Legal Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, in order to be used abroad.

What are Procedure for Applying for Police Character Certificate?

What are Procedure for Applying for Police Character Certificate?

The process varies according on who applies, where they apply, and why they apply. Before delivering the sealed material and other criteria to the Nigerian Police Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) for the background check, the Nigerian applicant may be required in several European countries to get his or her biometric data from the local police.

This step is not necessary in many other nations. But in every situation, the usual actions are as follows:

  • Obtain the CID Fingerprint Form and complete it (example: fill in only black ink and add black fingerprints).
  • Send to the Department of Force Criminal Investigation. Location: FCID, or the Central Criminal Registry, Alagbon Close, Lagos, Nigeria; Ikoyi. You can send a friend or relative if you are unable to attend.
  • Fulfil any additional needs that may emerge (If applicable, fulfil any further requests made by the officer).
  • The applicant will be interviewed by a forensic detective (Video call applicable if family member is representing).

NOTE: In one to four weeks, if all goes according to plan, the PCC will be granted.

The PCC Verification Process

You will need the following to have the Police Character Certificate authenticated at the Nigerian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate in the country where you are living after the procedure is finished in Nigeria and you have obtained it and legalised it at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja:

  • The Passport Data Page in Two Copies.
  • A copy of the Fingerprint form filled out.
  • Validation of the host country’s address.
  • Status of Residence in the Host Nation.
  • Self-Addressed Mailing.
  • Administrative Charge.

Note: Any additional demands made by the Mission of Nigeria.

Bottom Line

Who Issues Police Character Certificate in Nigeria?

The general process and prerequisites for getting your police character certificate are listed above.

The application varies slightly depending on the situation, though. The applicant must still have precise instructions from the department requesting the PCC. To learn more about this or apply, please CLICK HERE