What is Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and Why it is needed for Passport?

• PCC stands for Police Clearance Certificate which is an official and government document.
• Indian Passport Authority itself issued the Police Clearance Certificate for applicants.
• Only Indian Passport holders are eligible to apply for PCC Certificate.
• Police Clearance Certificate has details of Passport holder past or previous criminal record.
• This certificate is mandatorily asked by foreign countries to check criminal history before approving visas or at the time of immigration.

When Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is Needed?

• Police Clearance Certificate will be mandatorily required during long visits to foreign countries, some conditions is mentioned below :-
  • If any Indian Passport Holder applied for residential status of foreign country.
  • If individual is going abroad for long term employment purpose.
  • Student's going on Study Visa. (Required in some specific countries)
  • PCC is also required at the time of immigration.
  • Police Clearance Certificate is not required for those people who are going to foreign countries on tourist visas.

Validity of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

• Generally Police Clearance Certificate issued by Indian Passport Authority is valid for only 6 months.
• But in Gulf countries like Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, it is valid only for 3 month.
• Indian Passport Holder can get PCC for one country at a time. If PCC is needed for multiple countries, then India Passport Holder will have to apply separately for each country.
• There is no age limit for obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate.
• This certificate can also be issued to minors if required by a foreign government.

PCC Application Important Guidelines

1. Passport Address is Different from Current Living Address :-
   • If there is a mismatch in applicant's passport address and current living address and applicant wants police clearance certificate on current living address then Aadhaar Card is required as supporting document for current address proof.
   • Applicant has to make sure that Aadhaar Card must have updated address on which he/ she is currently living.
2. Correction in PCC Application :-
   • An applicant can not do correction in Police Clearance Certificate once it is submitted.
   • If the Applicant filled wrong country name in PCC by mistake then correction cannot be made, he/she has to apply afresh for PCC.
3. Refund Policy :-
   • The Police Clearance Certificate Fees are non-refundable.
   • If the PCC Application has mistake or rejected then fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.
4. If PCC is on Hold :-
   • If Passport Office put Police Clearance Certificate on Hold due to any possible reason then applicant cannot reschedule their appointment to get it cleared.
   • Applicant has to fill new PCC Application, pay fees again and book a fresh appointment.
5. PCC Marital Status Update :-
   • This is a very common situation which is faced by every passport holder in which they are single at the time of issuing passport and now they are married at the time of applying for Police Clearance Certificate.
   • So it is mandatory to add spouse name in Police Clearance Certificate Application Form.
   • Applicant has to submit Marriage Certificate or Annexure J at the time of appointment in Passport Seva Kendra.
6. Required Documents for PCC :-
   • For PCC, the only required document is Indian Passport of Applicant.
   • There will be only one appointment of PCC, so applicant has to make sure to carry all the necessary documents on the date of appointment.

Documents Required for Police Clearance Certificate

• Applicants must possess the following list of documents before visiting Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or (POPSK) to get the PCC on the scheduled date:
  • Appointment Letter.
  • Indian Passport.
  • Marriage Certificate or Annexure J Form (if applicable)
  • E-Aadhaar Card or PVC Card (If current address is different from the permanent address)

Police Clearance Certificate Fees

• A Police Clearance Certificate can only be applied for under the normal category, as its applications are not accepted under the Tatkal scheme.
• Thus, the application fees for PCC for all applicants are Rs 500/-

Note *

Only one appointment is issued for the PCC; applicants must ensure that they have all their documents on the scheduled date.

How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate

• Visit the Passport Seva Official Website.

• Register on the portal if you are not a registered user.
   

  
  

• Click on the Login Tab.
   

  
  

• Enter user name and password to fill the Police Clearance Police Certificate.
   

  
  

• Click on the Apply for PCC.
   

  
  

• Select your Passport Office
   

  
  

• If you have a passport, share its details, as it will help you to proceed with the application, or else you can press the 'Skip for Now' button.
   

  
  

• Fill in the application details.
   

  
  

• Enter Family Details. 
   

  
  

• Share present address details.
   

  
  

• Fill in the other details as shown in the image below.
   

  
  

• Fill all the details carefully, especially the country name for which the PCC is required, and its purpose.
• Preview the details submitted in the PCC form. If everything is correct, press the 'Submit' Tab.

• Before you proceed, check the name and date of birth.
   

  
  

• Applicants need to pay the application fee to book an appointment with the PSK or POPSK. 
   

  
  

• Read the caution notice and proceed.
   

  
  

• Check the name, fees, and mobile number, then click the Pay Now' tab. 
   

  
  

• Select the PSK/POPSK and date of appointment. 
   

  
  

• The fee for the police clearance certificate is Rs 500/0 which can be paid through Internet Banking, Debit/Credit Card and UPI.
   

  
  

• Upon initiation, verify the payment.

  
  

• Make the payment successful by re-verifying. 
   

  
  

• Once the payment is confirmed applicants' PCC appointment will be booked for the selected date.
   

  
  

• Download the appointment letter and take out its printout.
   

  
  

Police Verification Process

• It will take around one week to complete the police verification.
• It will be conducted by the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU)
• Upon successful verification, the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is sent through Speed Post.

PCC Distribution Time

The entire process of PCC from application submission to receiving its copy will take around 15-20 days.

Contact Information

• For any information related to the Police Clearance Certificate, applicants can contact the officials through:
  • Helpline Number: 18002581800
  • Email Helpdesk: grievance.psp@mea.gov.in.