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How to Get a Police Clearance Certificate for a Passport?

Team AckoNov 19, 2024

Are you dreaming of jet-setting off to new and exciting destinations but are held back by the pesky requirement of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for your passport? Fear not, because in this article, we'll be your trusty travel guides and show you just how to obtain that elusive PCC with ease.

Contents

What is PCC in passport (Police Clearance Certificate)?
How to apply for Police Clearance Certificate
How to download PCC certificate?
How to get Police Clearance Certificate from local police station?
Police Clearance Certificate documents
PCC verification process
How to check PCC status?
Frequently asked questions

What is PCC in passport (Police Clearance Certificate)?

PCC in passport stands for Police Clearance Certificate, which is a document that shows you have no criminal record. It's often required when you apply for a visa or a job in another country.

Now, there's another term you might hear thrown around: "passport PCC." Passport PCC means that the PCC is specifically for your passport application. Some countries require a PCC passport along with your regular PCC, so it's important to check the requirements before you apply.

How to apply for Police Clearance Certificate

Wondering how to apply for PCC? The PCC procedure for application includes the following steps.

Visit the official website of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Indian embassy or consulate in your country to obtain information on how to apply for a PCC.
Fill in the application form for the PCC, which can be found on the official website.
Gather all the required documents, which typically include a copy of your passport, proof of address, and proof of any previous criminal record, if applicable. Make sure that all the documents are in order and that they meet the requirements specified by the authorities.
Pay the fee for the PCC application, which can be done online through the official website.
Schedule an appointment at the nearest PSK or Indian embassy, or consulate to submit your application and documents. Make sure to arrive on time and bring all the necessary documents with you.
Provide your biometric data, such as fingerprints and a photograph, when you submit your application.
Wait for the PCC to be processed. The processing time may vary depending on the location and the number of applications being processed.
Collect the PCC from the PSK or Indian embassy or consulate once it is ready. Make sure to bring the original documents that you submitted along with your application for verification purposes.

How to download PCC certificate?

To download a PCC in India, you can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at https://www.passportindia.gov.in/.
Click on the 'PCC' tab on the left-hand side of the homepage.
Select the appropriate option from the drop-down menu based on your requirement (fresh/re-issue).
Enter your passport number and date of birth and click on 'Submit'.
If your PCC is already issued, you will see a 'Download' button next to it. Click on it to download the certificate.
If your PCC is not issued yet, you can track the status of your application by clicking on the 'Track PCC Status' option.

Alternatively, you can also visit the official website of the state police department where you had applied for the PCC and check for any online facilities provided to download the certificate.

How to get Police Clearance Certificate from local police station?

Here are the steps to get a Police Clearance Certificate from a local police station in India.

Visit the local police station: Go to the nearest police station in your area where you have been residing for the last few years. Ensure that you carry all the necessary documents with you.
Get the application form: Ask the police personnel for the application form for a Police Clearance Certificate. They will provide you with a form that you need to fill out.
Fill in the application form: Fill in all the necessary details, such as your name, address, date of birth, and other personal information. Ensure that all the information is accurate and up-to-date.
Attach the required documents: Attach the necessary documents such as identity proof, address proof, and passport-sized photographs. The documents required may vary from state to state.
Submit the application: After filling out the form and attaching the required documents, submit the application to the police personnel. You may be required to pay a fee for the PCC application.
Collect the PCC: Once your application has been processed, you will be notified to collect your PCC from the police station. Make sure to carry your identity proof and the receipt of the fee paid when collecting the certificate.

Police Clearance Certificate documents

To obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in India, you will need to provide the following documents.

Application form: You can obtain this from your local police station or online.
Two passport-sized photographs: You will need to attach these to your application form.
Proof of identity: You will need to provide a valid government-issued ID such as a passport, Aadhaar card, voter ID card, or driving licence.
Proof of address: You will need to provide a document that shows your current address, such as a utility bill, rent agreement, or bank statement.
Any previous police clearance certificates (if applicable): If you have obtained a police clearance certificate before, you may need to provide a copy of it.
Fingerprints: You will need to provide your fingerprints, which can be taken at your local police station or a designated fingerprinting centre.

Once you have gathered all the required documents, you can submit your application form and supporting documents to your local police station or the designated authority for processing. The processing time for a Police Clearance Certificate can vary depending on the issuing authority and the location, so it is advisable to check with the relevant authorities for further information.

PCC verification process

The PCC verification process in India generally involves the following steps.

Application submission: The first step in obtaining a PCC is to submit an application to the police station that has jurisdiction over the area where the applicant currently resides or where they have resided in the past.
Verification of personal information: The police authorities will verify the personal information of the applicant, including their name, address, date of birth, and other details.
Fingerprinting: The applicant will be required to provide their fingerprints, which will be used to verify their identity and check for any criminal record.
Background check: The police authorities will conduct a background check on the applicant to determine if they have any criminal record or if there are any pending cases against them.
Issuance of certificate: If the background check is clear, the police authorities will issue a PCC to the applicant. The certificate will include the applicant's personal information, the date of issue, and the signature of the issuing authority.

How to check PCC status?

The process to check PCC status in India varies depending on the state or city where the certificate was issued. However, here are some general steps you can follow.

Go to the official website of the respective police department of the state where the PCC was issued.
Look for the option of "Police Clearance Certificate" or "PCC" and click on it.
You will be redirected to a new page where you can check the status of your PCC application by entering the required details like your name, date of birth, application number, etc.
If the status of your PCC is "issued," then you can download the certificate from the same portal. If the status is "pending" or "under process," then you will have to wait until the certificate is issued.
If you are facing any issues or have any queries, you can contact the respective police department's helpline number or visit their office in person.

Please note that the process and requirements may vary from state to state, so it's best to check the official website of the concerned police department for specific instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Refer to this section to find answers for some of the frequently asked questions regarding Police Clearance Certificate in India

What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

A Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued by the police or government authorities that certifies that an individual has no criminal record.

What is PCC full form in passport?

PCC stands for Police Clearance Certificate.

Why do I need a PCC in passport?

A PCC is one of the documents required to obtain a passport. It is used to verify that the applicant has no criminal background or pending criminal cases.

How do I apply for a PCC in India?

You can apply for a PCC in India by visiting the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the District Police Office (DPO). You can also apply online through the Passport Seva website.

How long does it take to get a PCC in India?

The processing time for a PCC in India can vary depending on the issuing authority and the workload. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to receive a PCC.

How much does it cost to get a PCC in India?

The cost of a PCC in India can vary depending on the issuing authority. Generally, it ranges from INR 500 to INR 1000.

What should I do if my PCC application is rejected?

If your PCC application is rejected, you should contact the issuing authority to find out the reason for the rejection. You may need to provide additional documents or information to complete the application.

How to apply PCC online?

You can apply for PCC online by following the below steps.

Visit the website of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO).

Create a User ID and Password by clicking on ‘New User? Register Now’.
Log in with your User ID and Password.
On the left-hand side of the website, click on ‘Passport/PCC’ and select ‘Apply for PCC’.
Fill out the application form with all the required details.
Upload the necessary documents and submit the application.
Pay the applicable fee and book an appointment.
Attend the appointment at the PSK or RPO and provide the biometrics.
The PCC will be issued after the verification process is complete.

How to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate application form?

Police Clearance Certificate application forms can generally be obtained from your local police station. Alternatively, you can download an application form from the website of your state or territory police force.