How to get a police certificate – South Korea

If you need to give your fingerprints for a police certificate, this isn’t the same as giving your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) for an application.

Name of the document you need

Korean nationals

You must submit a criminal (investigation) records check report (범죄· 수사경력 회보서) where the “scope of reference” indicates “For permission of foreign country immigration and stay” (외국 입국 체류 허가용).

Foreign nationals

If you’re a foreign national who has lived in South Korea for 6 consecutive months or longer since the age of 18, you must submit a background check (criminal records) certificate (신원조사(범죄경력)증명서).

Police certificate and IRCC requirements

You must provide a police certificate when you apply for

  • permanent residence
  • citizenship
  • some temporary residence programs

Check your application package or instructions for details.

Along with your police certificate, you must also submit

  • a self-declaration of
    • past offences
    • your sentences
    • the relevant dates of the offences, sentences, investigations and pardons that are not stated on your criminal (investigation) records check report or background check (criminal records) certificate
  • all court documents for the criminal charges, if any
    • Provide complete copies of the decision or the resolution of the case.
      • Certifications from the clerks of court are not acceptable.
  • in the case of any previous criminal convictions, proof of completion of all penalties such as payment of fine or imprisonment served
  • if you have any investigation records, a copy of the investigation report by the responsible authority, which will either be the
    • Korean prosecutor’s office (non-prosecution reason statement [불기소이유고지서]) or
    • Korean police (decision not to appeal [불송치결정서])

How to apply

If you’re a Korean national

You must apply for a criminal (investigation) records check report (범죄· 수사경력 회보서) where the “scope of reference” indicates “For permission of foreign country immigration and stay” (외국 입국 체류 허가용).

The report can be obtained in person at any police station in South Korea or online. A passport or South Korean identification card is required. There is no fee and the certificate is normally issued immediately.

If you’re a foreign national

If you are foreign national who has lived in South Korea for 6 consecutive months or longer since the age of 18, you must apply for a background check (criminal records) certificate (신원조사(범죄경력)증명서).

You can get the certificate in-person at

  • any police station in South Korea with a foreign affairs division
  • your nearest South Korean embassy or consulate

A passport and photo are required. There is no fee and the certificate may take up to 1 week to be issued.

Special considerations

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada officer reviewing your file may require further documentation in order to be satisfied that you are not criminally inadmissible.

Contact information

Korean National Police Agency’s website (available in English and Korean)

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