So. The Certificate of No Criminal Record. Sexy name, right? This unassuming piece of paper basically says, "Hey, this person probably hasn't done anything too illegal – at least not officially."

If you're a foreigner washing up on China's shores, you're going to need one of these at some point. Maybe you're trying to land a teaching gig, marry your longtime Taobao courier, or apply for that elusive Chinese green card (good luck with that). Universities want it. Employers want it. The immigration office really wants it. Everyone wants to know: Have you been naughty?

Even if you've been living a life of boring, law-abiding tedium, you'll still have to prove it. Bureaucracy loves paperwork. And this one's a classic.

So how can expats get a no-criminal background check in China? Here's your step-by-step guide – bookmark it for future reference!

Question 1: When do you need a certificate of no criminal record?

Answer: Foreigners who need to obtain a certificate of no criminal record for their period of residence in China generally fall into two categories, depending on whether the certificate will be used domestically or abroad.

1. For use within China

• This typically applies when a foreigner needs to transfer their job and apply for a new work visa in another city within China – or in cases like marriage or immigration, as we just mentioned.
• If the individual has lived in multiple cities, they must apply for separate certificates in each city they have resided in.

2. For use outside China

• This applies to foreigners who previously studied, worked, or visited family in China and now need to provide a certificate of no criminal record as part of their visa or permanent residency application to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Spain, or France.
• To ensure the certificate is valid for use overseas, notarization and legalization procedures are usually required.

Question 2: What are the eligibility requirements?

Answer: Foreigners who have spent at least 180 days in China since their first arrival – and who hold either a residence permit or a permanent residence ID – can apply for a no criminal record check.

Employers can also request a criminal record check for a current or potential foreign employee, as long as it follows the relevant employment laws and rules.

Question 3: Where to apply?

Answer: Each district has its own Entry-Exit Bureau, which is a department of the Public Security Bureau. Inside the Entry-Exit Bureau, there is a service area to apply for the no-criminal record certificate.

For a full list of Entry-Exit Bureau addresses, go to this website and:
1) Click on Issuing Authorities
2) Type in the name of your district and press search

Myth Buster: No, you do not need to go to the big Entry-Exit Bureau in Pudong to get this. Any district Entry Exit Bureau office can handle this request.

Question 4: What is the applicable time range for the background check?

Answer: The no-criminal-record certificate only covers the time you were living in China and only during the period when your passport or permanent residence permit was valid. It doesn't say anything about what you were up to outside China or before your documents were issued – just your time here, on the books.

Question 5: What documents are required for this process?

Answer:

• Original passport and copies (including visa pages and entry stamps)
• Original Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors
• Completed application form for the Certificate of No Criminal Record (Multilingual versions are available in some cities). You can pick up these forms on-site at the Entry Exit Bureaus right before applying for the certificate.

If the application is submitted by a company on behalf of a foreign national, the following must be submitted:

• An official letter of introduction from the company
• The ID of the person handling the application
• A criminal record check application form stamped with the company's official seal
• Supporting documents proving that the foreigner is a current or prospective employee

The result will be issued in the form of a certificate of no criminal record and provided directly to the requesting organization.

Question 6: How long does it take to get the result?

Answer: In general, the notarization process takes three working days.

However, if the case is complex or requires further investigation, the applicant is expected to cooperate, and the time required for verification will not be counted toward the official processing time.

Question 7: How many times can you apply for a certificate?

Answer: A certificate of no criminal record cannot be issued an unlimited number of times within a single year.

If an individual applies more than three times in one year (not including the third time), they must provide documentation proving that each request is for a legitimate purpose.

Question 8: Is the certificate valid indefinitely?

Answer: No, it is not. Each certificate issued by the public security bureau includes a validity period, typically three months(though this may vary slightly depending on the local policies in different regions). Once expired, the certificate loses its legal validity.

Question 9: Can you make copies of the certificate for future use?

Answer: No, you cannot. Only the original document, stamped by the public security bureau, holds legal validity. Copies are generally not accepted.

Question 10: Can someone else apply on my behalf?

Answer: Yes, foreign nationals may authorize someone to apply on their behalf. The following documents are required:

• A copy of the applicant's ID
• A signed power of attorney
• The valid ID of the authorized representative

Please note:

As previously mentioned, foreigners applying for use outside China must also complete a notarization process.

1. Application location: Notary offices in various provinces and cities

Download the Government Online-Offline Shanghai 随申办市民云 app and log in with your passport.

Once logged in, you can use the Government Online-Offline Shanghai mini program (which is more convenient) and search for "notary office" to find the one that serves your area.

2. Applicants need to provide the following to the public notary office:

• The current valid foreign passport, as well as any old passport(s) used during the claimed no-criminal period.
• The original no-criminal-record certificate issued by the Exit and Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau.
• Any additional supporting documents that the notary deems necessary upon review.

3. The applicant may also authorize another person to handle the notarization of the certificate of no criminal record. In this case, the following documents must be submitted to the notary office:

• A copy of the applicant's ID
• The authorization letter signed by the applicant
• A valid ID of the authorized agent

In addition, a photo of the applicant holding the signed authorization letter and their passport must also be submitted.

For Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents, getting a no criminal background check is even easier – it can be done online via Government Online-Offline Shanghai!

You can access the "Government Online-Offline Shanghai" service via its mini program on Alipay or WeChat, or through the official app.

1. On the homepage, either search for the keyword "No Criminal Record Certificate" or swipe through "Featured Services" and select "Online Certificate Issuance".
2. Choose the appropriate application portal based on your situation, read the instructions carefully, and click "Next" to continue.
3. If you encounter any issues during the process, click the "Online Help" button at the bottom right of the service page for assistance.
4. You can select the purpose, time range, and issuing authority as needed.
5. The application period must not exceed the validity period of your identification documents.
6. Upload a valid ID photo to complete the application.

In most cases, certificates are issued within 1 working day after the application is received. For complex cases, processing may be extended to up to 3 working days.

Once the certificate is issued, you can go to the Government Online - Offline Shanghai homepage → "My Certificates" to add and view the document.

If a person applies more than three times in one calendar year, they will need to apply in person, and must provide supporting documents showing the certificate is for legitimate purposes such as employment, study abroad, or immigration.

For urgent cases without a residence permit:

If a Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan resident urgently needs a no-criminal-record certificate but does not yet have a mainland residence permit, they can apply in person at their local police station, where applications may be processed on a case-by-case basis.

Required documents for in-person application:

If the application is processed offline, the conditions, location, and method for authorizing someone to handle the application are the same as those for foreign nationals, as mentioned earlier. The materials required for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents are as follows:

1. For Hong Kong or Macau residents:

• Hong Kong or Macau Resident Identity Card
• Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents

2. For Taiwan residents:

• Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents

3. If notarization is required, the following documents must be provided:

• Hong Kong or Macau Resident Identity Card and Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents
• Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents
• Proof of residence in Shanghai during the application period (either a residence permit or Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors)
• Proof of study or employment in Shanghai
• Any additional supporting documents that the notary deems necessary upon review.

If applying via a representative

Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents may also authorize someone else to apply on their behalf. In this case, the following documents are required:

• A copy of the applicant's ID
• A signed authorization letter
• The representative's valid ID