Police Certificate

2024/11/22

Police certificates from the Japanese National Police Agency are issued only when they are required by foreign governments.
We are unable to accept your application if it is required by an individual or a private company.

Note

● Police certificates are valid for one year from the date of issue (it may be shorter depending on the reason for the application).
Please ensure that you apply for a police certificate at the right time, since you cannot apply for one again for the same reason, while your current certificate is still valid.

● The certificate is written in Japanese, English, French, German and Spanish.

*If, after obtaining the police certificate, you find that you no longer require it, or if it has expired and you wish to apply for one again, you must return the police certificate to our office with a letter stating the reasons why it is not required.

1. Application Hours

9:30 - 12:30 (Monday-Friday except public holidays) Online Booking Required

*Applicants must come to our office in person to lodge the application and to provide their fingerprints.

2. Required Documents

1. One completed application form
2. Valid passport(s)

The police certificate is designed for certain purposes such as applications for Australian citizenship, Australian visas, NSW teacher registration, joining the Australian Federal Police, obtaining an Australian Financial Services Licence or the Australian Security Identification Card (ASIC).
Applicants who wish to apply for the certificate for any reason other than mentioned above need to contact our office for eligibility and the appropriate application procedure.

In some cases, the following documentation may need to be submitted
a) Documents proving the reason the certificate is required are based on Australian/NSW laws
b) Japanese translation of (a)
c) An official request letter, addressed to the applicant, from the government authority requesting your criminal record
d) Japanese translation of (c)

3. Processing Time

It will take approximately 2-3 months to get the certificate as the application forms are sent to the Japanese Police Agency.

4. Fee

No charge

5. Collection

Police certificates applied for by 10 October 2024 have been delivered to the Consulate.
*Updated on 22 November, 2024

Collect in person
Please come to our office and collect your certificate in person during opening hours (Mon-Fri 9:30-12:30, 14:00-16:30) with your photo ID (passport, driving licence, etc.).
No online appointment is required for collection.
If you wish for someone to pick up your certificate on behalf, you will need to provide them with an original authorisation letter signed by you. They will need to bring this authorisation letter with them, together with photo ID (passport, driving licence, etc.)s for both themselves and yourself (that is, for the representative and the applicant).

Collect by post
Only those who live in distant locations: anywhere in NT, Newcastle and northward, Lithgow and westward, Nowra and southward in NSW may apply receive your police certificate by post.
If you wish to receive your police certificate by post, please provide us with a self-addressed return envelope (Express Post or Registered Post with a tracking number) when you lodge the application or send it to us later by post.
The size of the police certificate is (240mm x 120mm). Please prepare for a return envelope that will fit this.
*Also when you send it to us, please attach a note saying that the envelope is for the receipt of police certificates, together with your full name and contact number.
*Once you have received your police certificate, please complete the enclosed form and post it back to us. Alternatively, you can send it by email. (Consular Section Email: cgryoji@sy.mofa.go.jp)

Postal address:
Consulate - General of Japan, Sydney (Consular / Certificate Section)
GPO BOX 4125 Sydney NSW 2001
*If you have provided a self-addressed envelope with your application, we will post your police certificate as soon as it arrived.

Frequently Asked Questions

＞   Q1　Do I need to visit the Consulate in person even if I live far away?

Yes, you are required to visit us in person, even if you live in a remote area, as we will take your fingerprints. If you live in a remote area within our jurisdiction (NSW, NT) and wish to apply at another Embassy or Consular Office near you, please contact the Embassy or Consular Office you are visiting directly.

＞   Q2　My passport is expired. What should I do?

You need a valid passport to apply police certificate. If your passport will expire soon (expires in less than 3 months), please contact us in advance.

＞   Q3　I have two passports. The passports are issued under different names and they are my official names. Can I apply using two passports with different names?

No, you have to choose one of them. If your passports are issued under the same name, you can apply with both passports.

＞   Q4　How long does it take to receive a Police Certificate? Is there an expiry date on my police certificate?

It will take approximately 2-3 months to get the certificate as the application forms are sent to the Japanese Police Agency. Police certificates are valid for one year from the date of issue (It may be shorter depending on the reason for the application).

＞   Q5　Can someone pick up a police certificate on my behalf?

Yes. If you wish for someone to pick up a certificate on your behalf, you will need to provide them with an original authorisation letter signed by you. They will need to bring this authorisation letter with them, together with photo ID (passport, driving licence, etc.) for both themselves and yourself (that is, for the representative and the applicant).

＞   Q6　Can you send my police certificate to my home?

Only those who live in distant locations: anywhere in NT, Newcastle and northward, Lithgow and westward, Nowra and southward in NSW may receive your police certificate by post.
If you wish to receive your police certificate by post, please provide us with a self-addressed return envelope (Express Post or Registered Post with tracking number) when you lodge the application or send it to us.
The size of the police certificate is (240mm x 120mm). Please prepare for a return envelope that will fit this.
*Also when you send it to us, please include a note saying that the envelope is for the receipt of police certificates, together with your full name and contact number.
*Once you have received your police certificate, please complete the enclosed form and post it back to us. Alternatively, you can send it by email. (Consular Section Email: cgryoji@sy.mofa.go.jp)

＞   Q7　 I have received a police certificate. Australian Immigration has asked me to submit a scanned copy of it. Can I open it myself?

If you open the police certificate envelope yourself without the permission of the recipient, it will not be valid. Please check with your case officer before opening the envelope and follow their instructions.

＞   Q8　Is the police certificate written in Japanese only?

The police certificate is written in Japanese, English, French, German and Spanish.

＞   Q9　Is it possible to issue the certificate using a former/alternative name (i.e. my maiden name)?

No. The police certificate can only be issued using the same name as that in the passport provided with the application. The certificate only serves to confirm the existence of a criminal record according to your fingerprints.