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How to Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Thailand
Thai Police Clearance Certificates (สำเนาประวัติอาชญากรรม) are issued by the Criminal Records Division (กองทะเบียนประวัติอาชญากร) of the Royal Thai Police. This guide covers application channels, required documents, fees, processing time, and the differences between domestic and international (embassy-legalised) certificates.
TL;DR
A Thai Police Clearance Certificate (สำเนาประวัติอาชญากรรม) is issued by the Criminal Records Division (กองทะเบียนประวัติอาชญากร / CRD) of the Royal Thai Police (สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ / RTP) under the Royal Thai Police Act B.E. 2547 (2004) and the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019). The certificate confirms whether the applicant has a Thai criminal record. Apply in person at the CRD in Bangkok (or selected provincial centres) with a passport, visa, photos, and fingerprints. Domestic-use certificates are issued in 3-7 working days; for foreign use, add MFA legalisation at Chaengwattana (7-15 working days total).
Legal Basis and What the Certificate Says
The CRD operates under the Royal Thai Police Act B.E. 2547 (2004) and its regulations, with data handling governed by the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019). A Police Clearance Certificate reports either:
- "No record found" (ไม่ปรากฏข้อมูลประวัติอาชญากร) — no Thai conviction or pending case linked to the applicant's identity and fingerprints; or
- A specific disclosure of recorded offences and case status (rare; usually only on the applicant's own record check).
The certificate covers Thai records only. Convictions in other jurisdictions are not reported on a Thai Police Clearance Certificate; conversely, Thai records are not shown on a home-country police certificate. Many foreign visa/employer processes require both.
Where and How to Apply
The principal office is the Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police Headquarters Annex, Building 24, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok. Some Provincial Police Headquarters can take applications and forward fingerprint cards to the CRD; ask locally. Applications by post are accepted in limited circumstances for applicants outside Thailand, but fingerprint cards must be taken at a recognised police station and notarised.
| Channel | Availability | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| In-person at CRD Bangkok | All applicants in Thailand | Default route; fastest |
| Provincial Police HQ | Selected provinces | Convenience for upcountry residents |
| By post from overseas | Foreign-based applicants only | Visa, work permit, or background-check use |
| By appointed representative | With notarised Power of Attorney + ID | If applicant cannot attend personally |
Documents Required
| Document | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application form (CRD form) | Available onsite or as downloadable PDF |
| Passport | Original + photocopies of bio page, current visa, current entry stamp |
| Thai visa or work permit | If applicant is a foreigner resident in Thailand |
| Two passport-style photos | 2-inch, taken within 6 months |
| Proof of address | Lease, utility bill, or Immigration TM30 |
| Stated purpose | Often required — e.g., "for UK Skilled Worker visa", "for US Green Card", "for employment with [Company]" |
| Fingerprint card | Taken on-site at CRD (no charge); or by police station with notarisation if overseas |
| Power of Attorney | Only if represented; notarised + ID copy of representative |
Fees and Processing
| Item | Fee (THB) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard certificate (domestic use) | 100 | 3-7 working days |
| Express processing | +100-200 | 1-3 working days at some offices |
| Photocopies and incidental fees | 20-50 | Same day |
| MFA legalisation (for foreign use) | 200 regular / 400 express per document | +2-3 working days regular / +1 day express |
| Destination embassy attestation | Varies (THB 500-5,000) | 1-30 days depending on embassy |
Domestic vs International Certificate
For internal Thai use (work permit, professional licensing, court application), the bare CRD certificate is enough. For foreign use (UK visa, US Green Card, Australian skilled migration, Singapore EP, etc.), a three-step chain is required:
- Obtain the CRD certificate at the Royal Thai Police HQ.
- Send the certificate to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Consular Affairs (กรมการกงสุล) in Chaengwattana for legalisation — see our MFA legalisation guide.
- Have the legalised certificate further authenticated by the destination country's embassy in Bangkok.
Thailand is not a party to the 1961 Apostille Convention, so a single Apostille is unavailable; the three-step chain is the only path.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these traps:
- Applying with a tourist exemption stamp. The CRD generally requires a Non-Immigrant visa or work permit. Tourist visitors often need to apply via their embassy.
- Stale photos or addresses. Photos older than 6 months and addresses not matching TM30 cause rejection.
- Forgetting to specify "for foreign use". The CRD prepares a slightly different format (English headers; ready for legalisation); requesting after the fact wastes days.
- Trying to skip MFA legalisation. Embassies will not accept a CRD certificate without MFA stamp.
- Translation errors. Some destinations require a certified translation into a third language; arrange the translation BEFORE MFA legalisation so MFA can legalise the translation too.
- Sending fingerprint cards without notarisation. Overseas applicants must have a police officer take and certify the prints; non-notarised cards are rejected.
FAQs
1. How long is the certificate valid?
The certificate itself does not "expire" but most foreign authorities accept it only if issued within the last 3-6 months.
2. Can I authorise someone to collect on my behalf?
Yes, with a notarised Power of Attorney and a copy of the representative's Thai ID or passport.
3. Will minor traffic offences show up?
Routine traffic infractions and administrative fines generally do not appear on the certificate — only formal criminal convictions and pending criminal cases.
4. I was charged but acquitted — does it show?
Acquittals and dismissals can appear on the internal CRD record but are usually shown as "ไม่ปรากฏ" (none found) on the public certificate. Where unsure, request the full record (the "personal copy") for review.
5. Can the certificate be cancelled after a long clean period?
Limited expungement applies under specific rehabilitation provisions; consult a lawyer if a past record is causing visa or employment difficulty.
Related Reading
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