Table of Contents
Documents required for police verification certificate (PCC) — 2026
Direct answer. PCC is issued by the Commissioner of Police / SP-CID after verifying your address + criminal record. Used for passport (auto-attached), foreign visa, employment, tenant verification. Documents: Aadhaar + address proof + 2 photos + reason for PCC. Apply via state police portal OR Passport Seva (for foreign visa). Fee Rs. 50-500 depending on state and purpose.
Mandatory documents
- Application form — State-specific OR Passport Seva form (for foreign visa)
- Aadhaar — Identity proof
- Address proof (current) — Aadhaar / Voter ID / Electricity bill / Rent agreement
- Address proof (last 5 years) — For all addresses lived at — utility bills, rent agreements
- Two passport-size photographs — White background, recent
- Reason for PCC declaration — Self-declaration: passport, foreign visa, employment, tenant, other
- Affidavit on Rs. 10 stamp paper — Self-declaration of clean record (some states)
Optional / situational documents
- Employment offer letter — For employment PCC
- Foreign visa documents — For visa-purpose PCC via Passport Seva
- Marriage certificate — For surname change cases
- Old PCC (if expired) — For renewal
- NOC from current employer — For govt employees
- Birth certificate — For age verification
Specifications + key rules
- For passport: PCC is automatic at passport stage; no separate application unless requested by employer/visa officer.
- For foreign visa (Australia, Canada, UK, etc.): apply via Passport Seva (passportindia.gov.in) → separate PCC application.
- For employment: state police portal — varies; some states (Maharashtra MAHA-EYES, UP) have own apps.
- Tenant PCC: NOW MANDATORY in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi. Landlord must file form within 3-7 days of new tenant.
- Validity: 6 months typically; varies by purpose.
- SLA: 15-30 days; varies by state.
Where to apply
State Police website / Police Commissioner office OR Passport Seva (for foreign visa) at passportindia.gov.in.
→ Official source: https://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/PCC
If you don't have all documents
If PCC is delayed beyond SLA OR you receive adverse remark, file RTI to SP-CID for verification report + adverse-remark text under §4(1)(d). Submit closure proof + represent.
→ Use our 🪄 AI RTI Drafter to generate a free §6(1) application asking for the rejection reason in 60 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
- Q: How long does PCC take? — 15-30 days for employment/tenant. Foreign-visa PCC via Passport Seva: 7-30 days.
- Q: Cost? — Free (Maharashtra), Rs. 50-500 (most states). Foreign-visa PCC: Rs. 500.
- Q: What if PV is adverse? — File RTI for adverse-remark text. If based on closed/acquitted case, submit closure documents.
- Q: Multiple addresses in last 5 years — verification at each? — Yes — police verifies each address. Provide proofs of all.
- Q: Renewal — when? — PCC valid 6 months. Re-apply for new (no separate renewal).
Summary + next steps
- Gather mandatory documents above before applying — saves a re-visit
- Apply via official portal (link above) — no agent needed
- Track status: see our status-check guides
- If rejected for “documents inadequate”: request specific deficiency under §4(1)(d) RTI Act
- For state-specific guidance: see state portals directory
All RTI Wiki tools (free, no login)
- 🪄 AI RTI Drafter — type problem, get §6 application
- 🎤 AwaazRTI — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
- 🔮 Outcome Predictor — score draft win-likelihood
- ⚖️ First Appeal Generator — §19(1) draft on Day 31
- 📅 Timeline Calculator — track 30-day window
Related on RTI Wiki
- Track status: How to check police verification status
- State-by-state: Police Verification across all 36 states
- If rejected, file RTI: Full RTI guide
- Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
- All documents checklists: All 30 checklists
Sources
- Statutory references: as cited in Specifications above
- Official portal: linked in “Where to apply” above
- RTI Act 2005 §§4, 6, 7, 19
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.
