1. For passport PV: check passport status; PV substage shown.
2. For employment PV: visit your state police portal → PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) status.
3. Enter reference number from PCC application receipt.
4. Status flow: Application → Field Verification → Report Generated → Issued / Adverse.
5. For adverse PV: separate RTI to SP-CID for adverse-remark text under §4(1)(d).
6. PCC for foreign immigration (Australia, Canada, etc.) — apply via Passport Seva's separate PCC route, not state police.

What we hear from RTI Wiki users: Vikram, a 34-year-old IT professional applying for Canada PR, applied for PCC via Passport Seva. Status said “Pending” for 38 days despite 15-day SLA. He filed an RTI to SP-CID under §6 asking PCC status + reason for delay + officer-in-charge. Reply in 19 days revealed his application was held up at the local police station for verification — officer hadn't visited his address. He physically visited the PS with the RTI reply; PCC issued in 11 days; submitted to Canadian visa.

• Address proof inadequate — utility bill > 1 month old. Fix: gas bill / fresh rent agreement.
• Police didn't visit address — most common cause. Fix: physical visit + RTI.
• Past FIR (closed/acquitted) flagged — adverse remark. Fix: separate RTI for closure/acquittal proof submission.
• Multiple addresses in past 5 years — verification at each. Adds time. Fix: provide proof of all.
• Wrong PS jurisdiction — your address falls under different PS than applied. Fix: re-route application.
• Online vs offline mismatch — applied online but offline file lost. Fix: physical PS visit.

• PCC for foreign visa: apply via Passport Seva (separate from state police). Faster + standardised.
• Tenant verification is NOW MANDATORY in many states (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi). Landlords must file form within 3 days of new tenant occupancy.
• e-FIR option for many crimes via state police app — saves PS visit. Then PCC verifies clean record.
• Adverse PV doesn't auto-disqualify visa — explanatory letter + supporting docs (acquittal, closure) usually accepted.
• Maharashtra MAHA-EYES app — police verification entirely on phone. Fastest in India.

National police: 112 · State helplines vary · For PCC questions: Passport Seva 1800-258-1800

The official SLA on this service is published. If your status is stuck beyond it, you have a statutory right under §6 RTI Act 2005 to demand information from the public authority. Reply mandatory in 30 days.

File an RTI to: SP-CID / Special Branch (state police)

Ask these 5 questions:

1. application status by reference
2. field-verification date + officer
3. report status (issued/adverse)
4. adverse-remark text under §4(1)(d)
5. projected issuance

→ Use our free AI RTI Drafter to generate a complete §6(1) application in 60 seconds. The Drafter pre-fills your name, address, fee statement, and the 5 questions above.

→ Or speak it in हिन्दी / English / 9 other Indian languages via AwaazRTI.

→ For deeper case-law on this scenario: Read the full RTI guide for police verification passport.

• Q: How long does PCC take? — 15-30 days for employment/tenant. Passport PV similar (21-day SLA from MEA). Foreign visa PCC: 7-30 days.
• Q: Cost? — Free (Maharashtra), Rs. 50-500 (most states). Foreign-visa PCC via Passport Seva: Rs. 500.
• Q: What if my PV is adverse? — File RTI for adverse-remark text. If based on closed/acquitted case, submit closure documents. Represent to RPO/employer.
• Q: Is PV needed for renting? — Increasingly yes — many states require landlord to file tenant verification within 3-7 days.
• Q: Multiple addresses in last 5 years — verification at each? — Yes — police verifies each address. Provide proofs of all to speed up.

To check status: use the official portal listed above with your reference number. SLA is published; if stuck beyond it, file a free RTI.

• If status is normal → wait the published SLA, then download/use your document
• If status is delayed → click 🪄 AI RTI Drafter now; complete §6 application in 60 seconds
• If status is rejected → demand reasons under §4(1)(d) RTI Act; appeal/represent
• For state-specific guidance → see state-by-state guide

• 🪄 AI RTI Drafter — type problem, get §6 application
• 🎤 AwaazRTI — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
• 🔮 Outcome Predictor — score your draft's win-likelihood
• ⚖️ First Appeal Generator — §19(1) draft on Day 31
• 📬 PIO Reply Checker — analyse evasive replies
• 📅 Timeline Calculator — track 30-day window
• 💰 Fee Calculator — state-wise fees
• 🔍 RTI Research — AI Q&A from this site

• Master guide: Full RTI for police verification passport
• State-by-state: Pick your state
• Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
• The RTI Act 2005: Complete guide
• All status-check guides: All 25 status-check pages

• RTI Act 2005 §§6, 7, 19
• Official portal (linked in Quick Facts)
• Statute referenced in Quick Facts

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.