In this article, we will explain the general procedures and requirements about how a foreign national who has lived in Shenzhen applies for a Certificate of No Criminal Record, also known as a police certificate/check/clearance.
The government of Shenzhen is probably the first one that implements uniform requirements across the city for the issuance of Certificates of No Criminal Record to foreigners. On March 13, 2014, the Office of No Criminal Record Certificate of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau (PSB) was officially founded.[1] Never have we seen in another city an entire police department designated for the matter. Later in 2018, Shenzhen Administration Service Hall replaced the Office of No Criminal Record Certificate as the government agency where applicants file Certificate of No Criminal Record applications. On July 10, 2023, the application filing place was changed again to the Exit and Entry Administration of Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau. The Office of No Criminal Record Certificate remains to be the issuing authority.
Foreign nationals may need to obtain a Certificate of No Criminal Record in China for a variety of reasons including immigration, employment, etc. Typically, a Certificate of No Criminal Record is not acceptable for these purposes until it is notarized by a local notary office in China. For use in some countries, it also needs to be apostilled by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or authenticated by the embassy representing the country where the certificate is to be used. This Guide covers the two primary steps, namely “STEP 1: Application for Certificate of No Criminal Record” and “STEP 2: Notarization of Certificate of No Criminal Record”.
STEP 1: Application for Certificate of No Criminal Record
Your application for a Certificate of No Criminal Record needs to be filed the Exit and Entry Administration of Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau. Below is the contact information of the police bureau:
| English | Chinese | |
| Name | Exit and Entry Administration of Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau | 深圳市市公安局出入境管理局 |
| Address | Luohu Qu, Jiefang Lu 4016 Hao, Shenzhen Government Affairs Service Center, Shenzhen | 深圳市罗湖区解放路4016号深圳市政务服务中心 |
| Phone | 0755-12367 | — |
Who are eligible?
- Have had residence permits issued from Shenzhen.
- Have lived in Shenzhen for 180 days or longer.
Processing Time?
3 working days.
What are the required documents?
- Passports. The original documents of your passports are always preferred. If original passports are unavailable and only copies are provided, the copies need to be EITHER apostilled by the country’s foreign affairs department OR authenticated by a Chinese consulate/embassy in the country.
- Temporary Residence Registration Forms
- Power of attorney, if applicable. If the applicant lives in another country, the power of attorney needs to be EITHER apostilled by the country’s foreign affairs department OR authenticated by a Chinese consulate/embassy in the country.
Sample China Certificate of No Criminal Record
The Provisions on the Handling of Criminal Record Check by Public Security Organs provides a basic model Certificate of No Criminal Record. The model contains a QR code which is used for verification and a statement regarding no criminal record. Local police in different cities issue the certificates with slight variations in the layout. Click here to view a sample Certificate of No Criminal Record.
STEP 2: Notarization of Certificate of No Criminal Record
The issuance of your Certificate of No Criminal Record is not the end of the process. If the certificate will be used for purposes of immigration to the U.S., Canada, Australia, etc., the certificate must also be submitted to a local notary office for issuance of a Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Record with English translation. Below is the contact information of a major notary office in Shenzhen. (There are a dozen other notary offices in Shenzhen. Choose the one you consider convenient.)
| English | Chinese | |
| Name | Shenzhen Notary Public Office | 深圳公证处 |
| Address | Futian Qu, Shennan Dadao 4013 Hao Xingye Yinhang Dasha 17 Lou | 深圳市福田区深南大道4013号兴业银行大厦17楼 |
| Phone | 0755-83053935 | |
| Website | http://www.szgzc.net.cn/ | — |
Processing Time?
1 to 2 weeks.
What are the required documents?
- Passports
- Certificate of No Criminal Record issued by Shenzhen police
- Power of attorney, if applicable.
Sample Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Record
All notary offices across China issue Notarial Certificates of No Criminal Record in the same format. Please take a look at our article, What a Certificate of No Criminal Record Should Look Like.
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Hi I applied for a police certification for no criminal convictions and I have lived in two different parts of the city. I got a temporary registration form on a z visa on my first apartment but never updated my first residency permit with that police station. A year later I was granted a new residency permit and moved apartment and registered with that. Do you think that as I didn’t re-register with the first police station they’ll consider most of that time as void?
Hi Dan. You raised a great question. It is likely that you cannot get your police certificate to cover the period in question. However, there is always a possibility of exception, because officers make decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Hi Peter, the period was covered by the police after all. I believe they gave the benefit of the doubt and didn’t strictly enforce it so I got complete coverage of my stay.
Hi Dan. Thanks for sharing the good news. I am surprised at your success. We will test with Shenzhen authorities in future applications to see if your case is exceptional or they have changed the way for determining coverage of periods.
Hello guys, I have a burning issue with non criminal record issued here in Shenzhen. I’ve received the non criminal record that states my record is clean but only in Shenzhen and Guangdong province. My US consular officer is asking me to submit the non criminal that will include the whole China, not only Shenzhen but I was told that this kind of document cannot be issued to foreigners because my only residing address in China was in Shenzhen and nowhere else. Is there a way around this and would you be able to assist me with this? Thanks in advance
Hi Nick. Thanks for leaving a message. Unfortunately, there is no way around it. The best you can do is to explain to the US consular officer the reasons why you would not be able to obtain Certificates of No Criminal Record in the other cities. According to Article 5 of the Provisions on the Handling of Criminal Record Checks by Public Security Organs, a foreign national who seeks to apply for a Certificate of No Criminal Record must have “resided” in China for 180 days or longer. Local police in a city typically interpret the word “reside” as living in the city on a China residence permit issued from the particular city or a China permanent resident card (green card).
Hi! Can I apply for the certificate of no criminal record without a passport? My passport was temporarily turned over to the Shenzhen Government Service Center for working residence permit cancellation application. What I have right now is the application receipt. Is it OK to use this receipt instead of a passport? Kindly advise. Thanks!
Hi Mark,
Unfortunately, I think you would not be able to apply for a Certificate of No Criminal Record without presenting your passport to the local police.