Let's say you intend to take a job outside that requests a Criminal Record of the past few years, then it's much easier to get one before you leave the country. Once you are out of China, you'd have to ask an agency to help you get one, and we've been quoted from 3k RMB onwards.
Or if you've lived in China for a while you might be asked to provide one of these if you take on a new job.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get your Criminal Clearance Certificate (无犯罪记录证明) – that's what it's officially called.
1
What are the Requirements?
- You have lived in China for more than 6 months on a temporary or permanent resident permit
- You have not been subject to criminal sanctions during your stay
In China there's no central authority responsible for issuing certificates of non-criminal records covering the entire country. That means, the certificate you get issued in Shanghai only covers your time you stayed in Shanghai. If you stayed somewhere else in China, you'll take care of getting another criminal record from that province.
2
Go to the Entry Exit Department
Where you get the Non Criminal Record depends on which city you live in. In some cities you get it at the local police station, in others at the Public Notary office. In Shanghai you get it at the Entry Exit Department, the one you know from when you get your visa done (before 2022 you were also able to get it at the Public Notary office, so you still might that outdated info online)
You don't need an appointment, just show up during their regular office hours.
Go straight up to the 3rd floor, room 303 that says "Overstay".
Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau
1500 Minsheng Lu,
near Yingchun Lu
3
Prepare All Required Documents
- Original Passport (if the period you want to show on the non-criminal certificate includes the time on your old passport, you need to bring your old passport as well).
Note that the passport should include all Chinese visa pages and china entry stamps
- Copy of the first page of your passport (passports)
- Copy of all the china visa pages of your passports that cover the whole non-criminal record period.
4
How long will it take?
The processing time for a non-criminal record certificate is generally 15-20 working days, excluding mailing time.
Please consult the corresponding notary office for non-general information.
This How-To guide is work in progress, we are constantly updating it as we receive new information. We rely on readers like you (yes YOU). If you find this guide useful please help us improve it by adding comments in each step or by clicking the "Verify" link if you find the information provided to be correct.
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