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How to apply for Police Verification Certificate

Apply at local police station / online at state portal. Free for passport (auto-triggered). Rs 50-500 for employment / character certificate. 7-30 days.

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—how-to-apply:police-verification [2026/05/05 04:27] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>
 +metatag-keywords=(apply police verification, pcc police clearance certificate, employment verification, passport police verification, character certificate)
 +metatag-description=(Apply at local police station / online at state portal. Free for passport (auto-triggered). Rs 50-500 for employment / character certificate. 7-30 days.)
 +}}
 +
 +====== How to apply for Police Verification Certificate ======
 +{{:social:auto:how-to-apply-police-verification.png?direct&1200 |How to apply for Police Verification Certificate — RTI Wiki}}
 +
 +<WRAP info>
 +**Quick answer:** Police Verification Certificate (also called **PCC — Police Clearance Certificate** OR **Character Certificate**) is required for **passport, govt jobs, foreign visa, license applications, society admission** etc. Two types: **(1) Passport-linked verification** (auto-triggered when you apply for passport — free, done by local SHO + DCP Special Branch); **(2) Standalone PCC** for employment/visa — apply at state police portal or local police station, **Rs 50-500**, **7-30 days**.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Who can apply (eligibility) =====
 +  * Indian citizen (NRIs apply at home police station of last Indian residence)
 +  * Resided at the address for verification period (typically 1+ year)
 +  * No pending criminal cases (else NOC required from court)
 +
 +===== Step-by-step process =====
 +  - **Determine purpose** — Passport: auto-triggered, no separate application. Employment / Visa: apply for standalone PCC.
 +  - **For passport — automatic** — Triggered when you submit passport application at PSK. SHO + DCP Special Branch verify your address. Free.
 +  - **For employment / visa — apply online** — Most states have online portal. Examples: Delhi: dpcc.delhipolice.gov.in · MH: mhpolice.maharashtra.gov.in · KA: pcs.ksp.gov.in · TN: tnpolice.gov.in.
 +  - **Sign up at state police portal** — Mobile + email OTP. Some states: Aadhaar OTP %%eKYC%%.
 +  - **Fill PCC application** — Personal details, addresses (last 5 years), purpose, passport number (if any), employer / institution name (if employment).
 +  - **Upload documents** — Aadhaar, PAN, passport (if applying for visa), employer letter (if employment), residence proof (utility bill / rent agreement).
 +  - **Pay fee** — Rs 50-500 by state + purpose. Visa PCC usually higher than employment PCC.
 +  - **SHO + Special Branch verification** — Local SHO inquiry at residence. Special Branch (state intelligence) checks records.
 +  - **Issuance** — 7-30 days. e-Certificate from portal; some states require pickup from police HQ.
 +  - **Apostille (for foreign visa)** — After PCC, get it apostilled at MEA (Rs 50/document) for foreign use.
 +
 +===== Where to apply, fee, and timeline =====
 +  * **Online portal:** [[https://digilocker.gov.in|State Police portal]]
 +  * **Offline:** Local police station, DCP Special Branch office, state police HQ, Passport Seva Kendra (passport-linked).
 +  * **Fee:** **Passport-linked: Free** · **Standalone Employment PCC: Rs 50-300** · **Visa PCC: Rs 200-500** · **MEA Apostille: Rs 50/doc**
 +  * **Timeline:** **Passport (auto): 7-21 days** · **Standalone: 7-30 days** · **Visa PCC + Apostille: 30-60 days**
 +
 +===== What documents to keep ready =====
 +See our complete checklist: [[:documents:police-verification|Documents required for police verification]] — covers mandatory + optional + size/format specs.
 +
 +===== Common issues + how to handle =====
 +  * **Address change in last 1 year** — verification needed at all addresses; can take longer.
 +  * **Pending case** — NOC from concerned court mandatory; PCC mentions case status.
 +  * **SHO demanding bribe** — file complaint at SP / SSP / ACB. PCC verification is duty of police; no fee outside official.
 +  * **Apostille for visa — separate** — PCC issued by police; apostille by MEA. Both needed for foreign use.
 +
 +===== If your application is delayed or rejected — file an RTI =====
 +
 +Most "delays" or "rejections" clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:
 +
 +<code>
 +1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
 +2. The name + designation of the dealing officer assigned to my file.
 +3. The reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
 +4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
 +5. The likely date of issuance of my certificate / approval.
 +</code>
 +
 +**Auto-fill the PIO details + your case:** [[:rti-for-police-verification-passport|Open the RTI Drafter →]]
 +
 +**Or browse state-wise scheme procedures:** [[:scheme-state:police-verification:start|All state portals + RTI templates]]
 +
 +**Track your application status:** [[:check-status:police-verification-status|How to check status guide]]
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +==== Is PCC same as character certificate? ====
 +PCC has standardized format from MEA (for visa) or police (for employment). Character certificate is broader — issued by gazetted officer / employer / institution.
 +
 +==== How long is PCC valid? ====
 +6 months for visa (most countries). For employment: as long as residence unchanged.
 +
 +==== NRIs — where to apply? ====
 +Embassy/consulate of India in country of residence. They liaise with home state police in India.
 +
 +==== Pending case — can I get PCC? ====
 +Yes — but PCC mentions the case. NOC from court / final disposal helps clean PCC.
 +
 +==== PCC delayed > 30 days? ====
 +File RTI to SHO + DCP. Use our [[:rti-for-police-verification-passport|police verification RTI generator]].
 +
 +===== Summary + what to do next =====
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 90%>
 +**Bottom line:** Apply at **State Police portal** (https://digilocker.gov.in). Fee: **Passport-linked: Free** · **Standalone Employment PCC: Rs 50-300** · **Visa PCC: Rs 200-500** · **MEA Apostille: Rs 50/doc**. Timeline: **Passport (auto): 7-21 days** · **Standalone: 7-30 days** · **Visa PCC + Apostille: 30-60 days**. If delayed beyond timeline, file an RTI — most cases clear within 15 days.
 +
 +  * **Start your application:** [[https://digilocker.gov.in|State Police portal]]
 +  * **Document checklist first:** [[:documents:police-verification|Required documents]]
 +  * **Track existing application:** [[:check-status:police-verification-status|Status check guide]]
 +  * **If stuck — RTI Drafter:** [[:rti-for-police-verification-passport|File an RTI in 5 minutes]]
 +  * **Talk to other citizens:** [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI community]]
 +  * **Browse all how-to-apply guides:** [[:how-to-apply:start|All 25 application guides]]
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Related reading =====
 +  * [[:check-status:start|How to check status — 25 high-traffic services]]
 +  * [[:documents:start|Documents required — 30 checklists]]
 +  * [[:state-rti-portals-directory|All state RTI portals]]
 +  * [[:citizen-rti-playbook|Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +  * Official portal: https://digilocker.gov.in
 +  * Citizen feedback collected via [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI]] (composite, identifying details removed).
 +  * Statutory references: see relevant Act sections.
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>how-to-apply police-verification citizen-services rti-fallback}}