Police Verification Certificate – Police Verification Certificate (PVC) or Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), also known as Character Certificate, is a document issued by police authorities confirming that a person has no criminal history within a specific jurisdiction and he/she is of good character. People are required to submit a Police Character Verification Certificate for various purposes. You might know about this certificate, but if you are searching for how you can obtain a Police Verification Certificate, this article is for you. Here, we will discuss all the significant information about the Police Verification Certificate.
Purpose of a Police Verification Certificate
A PVC serves as a verification tool for various purposes. Following are some of the examples:
- Employment, especially in government jobs, sensitive sectors, or overseas relocation.
- Educational matters, particularly for foreign universities or scholarships.
- Visa applications, especially for immigration or long-term residence abroad.
- Adoption procedures, ensuring child safety and suitability of potential parents.
- Character verification for licensing, permits, or registrations requires good conduct.
- Indian citizens residing abroad seeking verification for foreign purposes.
- Foreign nationals living in India for employment, education, or visa applications.
Types of PVCs
Depending on the local jurisdiction of a police station, there are mainly three kinds of PVCs, as listed below.
- Local PVC: A local Police Verification Certificate verifies an individual’s record within a specific police station’s jurisdiction.
- State PVC: A State Police Character Verification Certificate covers the individual’s entire criminal history within that specific state.
- All India PVC: All India Police Verification Certificate provides a nationwide criminal record check. Such a kind of Police Verification Certificate is required for certain sensitive positions in Government offices.
Eligibility to Pass Police Verification
Not everyone is eligible for a PVC (Police Verification Certificate). Though people with clean records will not face issues while applying for or obtaining a Police Verification Certificate, individuals with criminal records might face delays or rejections. To fit into the eligibility criteria, you must provide valid address proof and a copy of your passport (if required).
Verification Process
When you apply for a Police Verification Certificate (PVC), the Police conduct physical verification at your current and past addresses mentioned in the form. Fingerprints and other details might be collected for cross-checking criminal databases. Verification with other police stations within the jurisdiction also occurs if you have applied for a State or All India Police Verification Certificate.
Step-by-step Offline Procedure for Obtaining a PVC
To obtain a Police Verification Certificate (PVC) offline, one should follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit the nearest police station in your residential area or online portal (availability varies by state).
Step 2: Get an application form for PVC and submit the duly filled application form with the required self-attested documents and passport-size photographs.
Step 3: Pay applicable fees based on the type of PVC required.
Step 4: Once you submit the required documents and pay the fees, the police will conduct physical verification at your current and past addresses, as mentioned in the application form. During the verification process, fingerprints and other details might be collected for cross-checking criminal databases.
Step 5: With successful verification, the Police Verification Certificate (PVC) is issued to you by the designated authority and will be sent to your address via post.
Online Application for Police Verification Certificate
Several states in India offer online application facilities for PVCs, streamlining the process. Websites and portals vary by state. You can always consult your local Police Station for further details.
Application fee for Police Character Verification
Fee charges for Police Verification Certificates vary across various states, depending on the type of certificate. Generally, the requisite fee for PVC ranges from 50 rupees to 500 rupees.
Documents required for application for Police Character Verification Certificate
The required documents for obtaining a PVC vary by state and the type of certificate. Common requirements include:
- Application form duly signed and attested
- Passport-sized photographs of the applicant
- Proof of identity and address such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, utility bills, etc.
- Fee payment receipt
Process to Obtain a Police Verification Certificate Online
You can apply for a Police Verification Certificate (PVC) online. Though the application process to apply for a Police Verification Certificate is slightly different for each state, here are the details of a generalized process. To apply for a PVC online, one should follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Police Department of your state (availability varies by state). For your convenience, below are the official links given for the authorized websites of a few states.
- Haryana Police official website: https://haryanapolice.gov.in/login
- Rajasthan Police official website: https://police.rajasthan.gov.in/new/dashboard
- Delhi Police official website: https://delhipolice.gov.in/
- Uttar Pradesh Police official website: https://uppolice.gov.in/
Step 2: Go to the “Citizen Portal/ Services” section and click on “Apply for Police Verification Certificate/ Police Clearance Certificate”.
Step 3: Fill all the required details in the application form.
Step 4: Upload the required documents and passport-size photographs.
Step 4: Pay applicable fees based on the type of verification certificate required. You can make the fee payment through different online modes and submit the application form.
Step 4: Soon after you submit your online application, the police will conduct physical verification at your current and past addresses, as mentioned in the application form. During the verification process, fingerprints and other details might be collected for cross-checking criminal databases.
Step 5: Upon successful verification, the Police Character Verification Certificate (PVC) is issued by the designated authority, and you will be informed through an email.
Step 6: For Police Verification Certificate Download PDF Click on the link attached in the email sent to your registered Gmail account by Police authorities of your state/UT.
Validity of a Police Character Verification Certificate
The PVC’s validity varies, typically ranging from 6 months to 1 year. Renewals might be required for extended use in certain cases.
Misrepresentation in an Application for Police Verification Certificate
One should always provide accurate information in the application form for the Police Verification Certificate. Providing misleading or false information in such an application may lead to adverse legal consequences.
FAQs
Q. How long does it take to get a Police Verification Certificate (PVC)?
Ans. Processing time varies depending on State and verification type. It may take a few days to a few weeks in some cases.
Q. For how long a Police Verification Certificate is valid?
Ans. The Police Verification Certificate validity varies depending on its type and the state issuing the PVC. Generally, it ranges from 6 months to 1 year. Renewals might be required for extended use in some cases.
Q. Is there any fee for a Police Verification Certificate?
Answer: Yes, some states charge an application fee for a Police Verification Certificate. Though the cost may vary across various states, it ranges from 50 to 500 Rupees.
Q. What to get a local Police Verification Certificate?
Ans. Whether you want to get a local or any other type of PVC, you can apply online or offline. You can follow the steps given in the article above and apply for a PVC through your preferred mode.
Q. Is it possible to get my PVC in 1 day?
Ans. Yes, it is possible if you visit the Indian passport office to apply for your certificate and if there is no police verification required in your case. If the verification needs to be done, there is no way to get your Police Verification Certificate in a single day.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed all the relevant aspects of a Police Verification Certificate. Hope you find this article useful and informative. For more such articles, please keep visiting our website regularly.
