Ireland - Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (Police Certificate of Character)

ProcedureEdit

PROCESS FOR CITIZENS OF IRELAND – FOR BOTH WHO LIVE IN IRELAND AND OVERSEAS:

I. Apply in Ireland

a. Apply in person

Applicant should apply with superintendent in charge of the district where they live.
Applicant can leave their application in a local ‘Garda station’ for forwarding to the superintendent for the district. In such case please take note of the Garda's name or shoulder number.
Online link to locate the station: link
Applicant shall apply by writing a application (get officials support for the format) with following details in it.
Your full name as on your birth certificate including your maiden name if applicable.
Your date and place of birth.
Your current address.
All addresses at which you have lived in Ireland and when you lived there.
The place and purpose for which you require the Certificate.
Once the application is ready attach all the required documents and submit it to the respective receiving authority to process.
Once process is complete, your police certificate will be mailed directly to you.

Note: You may nominate a representative to apply on your behalf, however he/she must present a witnessed statement indicating your consent to the release of information.

II. Applying process - overseas:

a. Through mail(post)

Applicant shall apply through mail(post) to the superintendent in-charge of the district where you lived.
Online link to locate the address: link
Applicant shall apply by writing a application with following details in it.
1. Your full name as on your birth certificate including your maiden name if applicable.
2. Your date and place of birth.
3. Your current address.
4. All addresses at which you have lived in Ireland and when you lived there.
5. The place and purpose for which you require the Certificate.
Once the application is ready attach all the required documents and mail it to the address.
Once process is complete, your police certificate will be mailed directly to you.

PROCESS FOR NON CITIZENS OF IRELAND – FOR BOTH WHO LIVE IN IRELAND AND OVERSEAS:

I. Apply in Ireland

a. Apply in person

Applicant should apply with superintendent in charge of the district where they live.
Applicant can leave their application in a local ‘Garda station’ for forwarding to the superintendent for the district. In such case please take note of the Garda's name or shoulder number.
Online link to locate the station: link
Applicant shall apply by writing an application (get officials support for the format) with following details in it.
Your full name as on your birth certificate including your maiden name, if applicable
Your date and place of birth
Your current address
All addresses at which you have lived in Ireland and when you lived there
The place and purpose for which you require the certificate
Once the application is ready attach all the required documents and submit it to the respective receiving authority to process.
Once process is complete, your police certificate will be mailed directly to you.

Note: You may nominate a representative to apply on your behalf, however he/she must present a witnessed statement indicating your consent to the release of information.

II. Applying process - overseas:

a. Through mail(post)

Applicant shall apply through mail(post) to the superintendent in charge of the district where you lived.
Online link to locate the address: link
Applicant shall apply by writing an application with following details in it.
1. Your full name as on your birth certificate including your maiden name if applicable.
2. Your date and place of birth.
3. Your current address.
4. All addresses at which you have lived in Ireland and when you lived there.
5. The place and purpose for which you require the Certificate.
Once the application is ready attach all the required documents and mail it to the address.
Once process is complete, your police certificate will be mailed directly to you.

Required DocumentsEdit

Country specific

A written application.
A copy of your identification (e.g.. passport or driver’s license).
Your full name.
Your date and place of birth (certificate copy).
Your current and all previous Irish addresses.
The purpose of the request (e.g. For immigration purposes).
Applicable fees.
A witnessed statement indicating your consent to the release of information (if a applicant nominates a representative ).

Foreign national

A copy of your passport while living in Ireland.
A copy of your permit of stay in Ireland, passport number and place of issue as well.

In general

Valid passport (attested copy as per requirement).
Valid citizen proof (respective ID’s issued by respective nation).
Passport size photographs.
Proofs of legal stay (copy of passport held during the said period with respective stamp and seal).
Email ID (useful to communicate issues with respect to your application).
A self-addressed envelope with or without stamps (as required).
Valid contact number (applicant can be communicated).

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

An Garda Síochana Headquarters,
Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, D08 HN3X.
Tel: +353 1 666 0000
E-mail: [email protected]
Contacts: link1 and link2 and link

EligibilityEdit

Applicant with valid passport and a valid address proof.
Age: 16 years and above. In case of minors, the application must be submitted by the parent exercising parental authority, if the minor has not turned 16 years.
The current address of the applicant must be same as in the passport and other supporting documents.
Applicants who are in need of residential status, employment or long term visa or for immigration to a foreign nation.

FeesEdit

There is no charge for a Police Certificate.
Please affix stamps as advised by authorities.
Updated fee/charge requirement will be provided by respective authorities while applying.

ValidityEdit

Valid for one year Or as per the mentioned period.
Validity norms vary from country to country.

Documents to UseEdit

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.

Processing TimeEdit

3 Weeks (mail delivery time excluded).
Processing time varies with respect to the country from where applied.

InstructionsEdit

You can only get a Police Certificate when required by Consular Authorities and foreign Adoptions Boards. For example, Police Certificates are often required as one of the required documents when applying for a visa to travel out of the country. They can also be issued for the setting up or registering a business in another European Union Member State.
After lodging an application, the Police Certificates are not processed in the local Garda station. Instead, they are sent to the Superintendent for the district where the applicant lives or used to live. The completed Police Certificate will be issued directly from the district office and it can take up to three weeks for it to be issued.

Required InformationEdit

Your full name as on your birth certificate including your maiden name if applicable
Your date and place of birth (or a copy of your birth certificate)
Your current address
All addresses at which you have lived at in Ireland and when you lived there
The place and purpose for which you require the Certificate

Need for the DocumentEdit

A Police Certificate is a statement issued by the Gardai stating whether or not you have a criminal record and is normally valid for one year.

Information which might helpEdit

If you are in Ireland

You should apply in writing and submit the application at the local Garda Sochna Station (police) and must present:

your full name;
your date and place of birth;
your current and all previous addresses in Ireland;
the purpose of the request (e.g. for a visa application); and
a self-addressed stamped envelope.

You can get more information on this website: http://www.garda.ie/.

Note: If you decide to use a representative to apply on your behalf, the representative must submit a witnessed statement proving your consent to the release of information.

If you live abroad

If you live outside of Ireland, you should contact the local police in the country where you are currently residing. Explain to them that you want to apply for Police Certificate and they may get in touch on your behalf with your nearest police station in Ireland and request this information. You should provide:

your full name;
your date and place of birth;
your current and all previous Irish addresses;
the purpose of the request (e.g., for a visa application); and
a self-addressed stamped envelope.

External LinksEdit

Citizens Information - Police Certificates

Garda Síochana - Police Certificates

Adult Cautioning Scheme

Ireland's National Police

Republic of Ireland Government

OthersEdit

It is the applicants' responsibility to contact the relevant authorities to obtain the police certificates or clearances.

Requests for Police Certificates are not processed in the local Garda station but instead, are sent to the Superintendent for the district where you live or used to live. Your completed Police Certificate will be issued directly from the district office and it can take up to 3 weeks for it to be issued.