How To Obtain Police Clearance Certificate in Nigeria

Most times individuals in Nigeria or even outside of Nigeria may need to obtain a police character certificate for different reasons or purposes. However, the most common reason for obtaining a police character certificate is for immigration or travel purpose. In this article, we would briefly discuss the Police Character Certificate in Nigeria and the procedures for obtaining the same.

WHAT IS A POLICE CHARACTER CERTIFICATE?

Police Character Certificate (PCC) which is also called Police Clearance Report or Certificate is a certificate issued to individuals who live in Nigeria for a period of time to clarify that such person has no criminal records in Nigeria.

It is noteworthy, that for a foreigner to be eligible to apply for the police character certificate, the foreigner must have lived in Nigeria for a period of at least thirty (30) days.

WHO ISSUES THE POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE?

The Police Clearance Certificate is issued by the Nigerian Police Force, usually at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Police Criminal Registry, and in any Nigerian Police Criminal Registry in the 36 states.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR A POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE?

For an applicant to be able to apply for the PCC, the following requirement are needed to be present at the application and collection office in Nigeria.

1. A valid International Passport (that in the bio-data page).
2. Two passport-size photographs.
3. An application fee (this varies from state to state).

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION OF POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE

If the applicant is in Nigeria, such an applicant can apply in person at the Police Central Criminal Registry in Lagos or any state the person is currently located.

The applicant will pay some application fees and collect the application form which would be filled either with blue or black ink and attach the passport photograph.

For the column that requires the applicant’s fingerprints, the officer in charge would guide the applicant on how to impute the applicant’s fingerprints, which include the five right fingers and the five left fingers.

After filling the form correctly, one shall submit it along with a copy of the international passport bio-data page to the officer in charge and then wait for the certificate to be processed.

After the forensic officer has analyzed and run a full background check on the applicant’s fingerprints and details, the certificate would be processed and issued accordingly.

The applicant must duly complete the application form, which will include the fingerprints of such applicants. The Nigerian Police Authorities will ensure that the fingerprints and all details provided by the applicant are duly queried or searched in their database to determine whether the applicant has a criminal record or not or before the certificate is issued.