How to obtain a police certificate – Republic of Korea

Along with your police certificate, you must also submit:

• a self-declaration of:
  • past offences
  • your sentences
  • the relevant dates of the offences, sentences, investigations and pardons that are not stated on your criminal (investigation) records check report or background check (criminal records) certificate
• all court documents for the criminal charges, if any:
  • Provide complete copies of the decision or the resolution of the case
    • Certifications from the clerks of court are not acceptable
• in the case of any previous criminal convictions, proof of completion of all penalties such as payment of fine or imprisonment served
• if you have any investigation records, a copy of the investigation report by the responsible authority, which will either be the:
  • Korean prosecutor’s office (non-prosecution reason statement [불기소이유고지서]) or
  • Korean police (decision not to appeal [불송치결정서])

You must apply for a Criminal (Investigation) Records Check Report (범죄· 수사경력 회보서) where the “scope of reference” indicates “For permission of foreign country immigration and stay” (외국 입국 체류 허가용).

You can obtain the report in person at any police station in Republic of Korea or online. You will need a passport or South Korean identification card. There is no fee and the certificate is normally issued immediately.

If you're foreign national who has lived in South Korea for 6 consecutive months or longer since the age of 18, you must apply for a Criminal (Investigation) Record Check Report (범죄·수사경력 회보서).

You can get the certificate in person at

• any police station in the Republic of Korea with a foreign affairs division
• your nearest Republic of Korea embassy or consulate

You will need a passport and photo. There is no fee and the certificate may take up to 1 week to be issued.