What is an ACRO Police Certificate?
An ACRO Police Certificate is an official document issued by the ACRO Criminal Records Office (a national police unit) that details your criminal record history in the United Kingdom. Its formal name is simply "Police Certificate," though most people refer to it as an ACRO certificate or UK police clearance.
The certificate provides a comprehensive record of your interactions with the UK criminal justice system. It covers spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands held on the Police National Computer. If you have no record, the certificate will state that no trace was found — which is still a valid and necessary document for visa purposes.
Key Points About ACRO:
- • Issued specifically for overseas use (visas, residency, work permits)
- • Covers the entire UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)
- • Shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands
- • Different from a DBS check (which is for UK employment screening)
- • Recognised by embassies and foreign governments worldwide
- • Can be apostilled for use in Hague Convention countries
Important Distinction: ACRO is NOT the same as a DBS check. This is the single most common mistake people make. Embassies and immigration authorities almost always require ACRO specifically — presenting a DBS check instead will result in your application being rejected or delayed.
Who Needs One?
If you are moving abroad, working overseas, or completing any official process in another country, there is a good chance you will need an ACRO police certificate. Most countries require a police clearance from every country where you have lived for a significant period.
🌍 Common Scenarios Requiring ACRO
💼 Work & Residency Visas
Australia (subclass 482, 190, 189), USA (immigrant visas), Canada (PR, work permits), UAE (all work visas), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, New Zealand, South Africa.
🏠 EU Residency Permits
Spain (non-lucrative, golden visa), France (carte de sejour), Italy (permesso di soggiorno), Portugal (D7, golden visa), Germany (residence permit), Netherlands.
💍 Marriage & Family
Getting married abroad (many countries require police clearance), spousal visas, adoption proceedings, family reunification visas.
🎓 Other Scenarios
Student visas (some countries), professional licensing overseas (teaching, healthcare, law), citizenship applications, volunteer work abroad.
💡 The 6-Month Rule
Most countries require a police certificate if you have lived in the UK for 6 or more months since turning 18. Some countries (particularly Australia and Canada) set the threshold at 12 months. A few use age 16 as the cut-off instead of 18. Always check the specific requirements for your destination country and visa type.
How to Apply — Step by Step
The application process is entirely online and relatively straightforward. Here is exactly what you need to do, step by step.
Go to acro.police.uk
Visit the official ACRO website. Do not use third-party services that charge inflated fees for what is a simple online application. The only official source is acro.police.uk.
Create an Account and Fill in the Application
Provide your full legal name (as shown on passport), date of birth, all UK addresses for the past 10 years, and the country/purpose for your application. Be thorough with addresses — missing addresses cause delays.
Upload Required Documents
You will need: a passport-style photo, a colour scan of your passport (bio page), and proof of current address (utility bill, bank statement, or council tax bill dated within last 3 months).
Pay the Fee
Standard service: £65 — certificate issued within 10 working days.
Express service: £115 — certificate issued within 2 working days.
Payment by debit/credit card online.
Receive Your Certificate
The certificate arrives by post to your UK address. A digital PDF may also be emailed for some routes. Critical: If you need an apostille, you MUST order the postal (physical) version. The digital PDF cannot be apostilled because it lacks original stamps and signatures.
⚠️ Postal Version Only for Apostille
This is critically important: only the physical, posted ACRO certificate can be apostilled by the FCDO. The digital PDF version does not carry original stamps or wet signatures, so the FCDO will refuse to apostille it. If you know you need an apostille (and you almost certainly do for overseas use), make sure you select the postal delivery option when applying.
ACRO vs DBS — What's the Difference?
This is the question we get asked most often. People frequently confuse ACRO with DBS, or assume a DBS check will serve the same purpose. They are fundamentally different documents designed for different purposes.
| Feature | ACRO Police Certificate | DBS Check |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Overseas use (visas, immigration) | UK employment screening |
| Issued by | ACRO Criminal Records Office | Disclosure and Barring Service |
| What it shows | Full record (spent + unspent convictions, cautions, warnings) | Depends on level (Basic/Standard/Enhanced) |
| Cost | £65 (standard) / £115 (express) | £18 (Basic) / £38 (Standard/Enhanced) |
| Processing time | 10 working days (standard) / 2 days (express) | Up to 14 days (Basic) / 8 weeks (Enhanced) |
| Can be apostilled? | Yes (postal version only) | No (not accepted by FCDO for apostille) |
| Accepted by embassies? | Yes — this is what they require | No — almost never accepted |
Bottom Line: If you are applying for a visa, residency permit, or any immigration-related process overseas, you need ACRO. A DBS check will not be accepted. Do not waste time and money ordering the wrong document.
Getting Your ACRO Apostilled
Almost every country that requires an ACRO certificate also requires it to be apostilled (or legalised) before they will accept it. An apostille is a certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that verifies the document is genuine.
📝 Apostille Options
Option 1: Apply Yourself via FCDO
- • Cost: £45 per document
- • Processing: up to 15 working days
- • Submit by post to the FCDO
- • Must send original ACRO certificate
- • Return by Royal Mail tracked delivery
Option 2: Use a Professional Service
- • LegaliseNow: from £90 (includes apostille)
- • Faster turnaround via registered agent access
- • Next-day express options available
- • We handle everything for you
- • Tracked and insured throughout
⚠️ e-Apostille NOT Available for ACRO
ACRO certificates are not eligible for e-Apostille. The e-Apostille system is designed for documents that are digitally signed by solicitors or notaries. Since ACRO certificates are issued by a public authority with physical stamps, they must go through the standard paper apostille process via the FCDO. There is no digital shortcut.
💡 Remember: Postal Version Only
We cannot stress this enough. You must order the postal (physical) version of your ACRO certificate if you need it apostilled. The digital PDF version sent by email lacks original stamps and wet signatures, which means the FCDO will refuse to process it. This is the number one reason clients come to us in a panic — they ordered the wrong version and now have to reapply, losing weeks of time.
Validity Periods by Country
ACRO certificates do not have an expiry date printed on them, but destination countries impose their own validity windows. If your certificate is older than the accepted period when you submit your visa application, you will need to obtain a new one.
| Country | Validity Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 12 months from issue | Required for all visa subclasses |
| USA | 12 months | For immigrant visas and green card |
| Canada | 6-12 months | Varies by province and visa type |
| UAE | 3 months | Very strict — apply close to visa submission |
| Spain | 3 months | Non-lucrative, golden visa, work permit |
| France | 3 months | Carte de sejour applications |
| Italy | 6 months | Permesso di soggiorno |
| Germany | 6 months | Residence and work permits |
💡 Always Check With the Embassy
Validity requirements change. The table above reflects current general guidance as of early 2026, but individual embassies and consulates may have different requirements depending on your specific visa type. Always confirm directly with the relevant embassy or consulate before applying.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After processing thousands of apostille applications, we see the same mistakes repeatedly. Avoiding these will save you time, money, and stress.
❌ Ordering DBS Instead of ACRO
The most common mistake. People search for "UK police check" and find DBS first. DBS is for UK employment. ACRO is for overseas use. Embassies will reject a DBS check.
❌ Ordering Digital/PDF Version
The digital PDF cannot be apostilled. If you need your ACRO for overseas use (you almost certainly do), you must order the postal version with original stamps and signatures.
❌ Applying Too Early
If your destination country has a 3-month validity window (UAE, Spain, France), ordering ACRO 6 months before your visa application means it will expire before you need it. Time it carefully.
❌ Applying Too Late
Standard processing takes 10 working days. Add time for postage and apostille (up to 15 more working days via FCDO). Start at least 6-8 weeks before you need the final apostilled document.
❌ Missing Address History
ACRO requires all your UK addresses for the past 10 years. Incomplete or inaccurate address history causes delays or rejections. Dig out old records before you start the application.
❌ Forgetting the Apostille
Getting ACRO is only half the job. Nearly every country requires it to be apostilled before submission. Do not submit a bare ACRO certificate to an embassy — it will be returned.
Cost Breakdown
Here is a transparent breakdown of what you can expect to pay for an ACRO certificate and apostille, whether you do it yourself or use a professional service.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| ACRO certificate (standard, 10 working days) | £65 |
| ACRO certificate (express, 2 working days) | £115 |
| FCDO apostille (if applying yourself) | £45 |
| Professional service via LegaliseNow (includes apostille) | From £90 |
| Solicitor certification (if required by destination) | £15-50 |
| Typical total cost (DIY route) | £110-160 |
| Typical total cost (professional route) | £90-163 |
Why Use a Professional Service?
DIY Route:
- • Apply to ACRO yourself (10+ working days)
- • Post certificate to FCDO (15+ working days)
- • Total timeline: 5-7 weeks
- • Risk of mistakes or wrong version ordered
Professional Route (LegaliseNow):
- • We handle the apostille process
- • Faster FCDO turnaround via agent access
- • Next-day express available
- • Expert guidance prevents costly errors
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get ACRO if I have a criminal record?
Yes, absolutely. Everyone can apply for an ACRO certificate regardless of their criminal history. The certificate simply reports what is on your record. Having convictions does not prevent you from obtaining the document — it is a factual record, not a pass/fail assessment. Whether your record affects your visa application is a separate matter decided by the destination country's immigration authority.
Do I need a police certificate from every country I've lived in?
Yes, for most visa types. You typically need a police certificate from every country where you have lived for 12 or more months since the age of 18 (some countries say since age 16). ACRO only covers your time in the United Kingdom. If you lived in France for two years and Australia for one year, you would need police certificates from both of those countries as well, in addition to ACRO.
How long is an ACRO certificate valid?
The ACRO certificate itself does not carry an expiry date. However, each destination country sets its own validity window for when the certificate must have been issued. This ranges from 3 months (UAE, Spain, France) to 12 months (Australia, USA). Always check the specific requirements for your destination before applying, so you can time your application correctly.
Can I use a DBS check instead of ACRO?
No. Foreign embassies and immigration authorities specifically require the ACRO Police Certificate for visa and residency applications. A DBS check is designed for UK domestic employment screening and is not recognised by overseas authorities as a valid police clearance. Submitting a DBS check instead of ACRO will result in your application being rejected or significantly delayed.
Need Your ACRO Certificate Apostilled?
We handle ACRO apostilles every day. Fast turnaround, fully tracked and insured, with next-day express options available. Let us take the stress out of your visa application.