The Police Criminal Record Certificate documents whether an individual has been involved in any criminal or civil cases from birth until the present. If there is no record of such involvement, the certificate will indicate a clean history.
This document is often required during job interviews, as employers use it to evaluate candidates. It serves as a testament to one’s integrity and law-abiding behavior. As the saying goes, “Your actions leave a trace wherever you go,” so living as a responsible and law-abiding citizen is essential.
Application Methods
In recent years, the demand for Taiwan Police Certificates has increased due to requirements for public service positions, working holiday visas, and other purposes. As a result, the process has become more versatile and convenient. Currently, there are 5 known ways to apply for the certificate:
In-Person
Prepare the required documents and visit the Foreign Affairs Division of any municipal or county police department to apply, regardless of your registered domicile. Some police departments offer expedited issuance services or authorize other offices to accept applications for added convenience.
Online
Complete the applicant information in the National Police Agency Police Criminal Record Certificate System, and submit your application. After 2.5 business days, bring the required documents to the selected pickup location for verification and payment to collect your certificate. Certificates are valid for 30 days from the date of issuance; uncollected certificates will be voided.
Visit the National Police Agency – Police Criminal Record Certificate website. Once on the page, select “Apply without a Citizen Digital Certificate,” complete the application form, and click “Submit.”
Mobile App
Use your mobile phone to download the “警政服务 APP” to apply. After submitting your application, wait for 2.5 business days, then bring the required documents to the selected pickup location for verification and to collect your certificate.
Convenience Store
Applications and certificate pickups are limited to Taipei City and Taoyuan City. Use the i-bon machine at a 7-Eleven store to input your mobile number and ID card number, then print the application form. After completing the form, scan and upload it as instructed.
Starting the next day after applying, contact the respective police department using your account or phone number to inquire about the collection deadline. Make sure to bring the required documents for verification and payment within the specified period to pick up the certificate. Certificates not collected within the deadline will be voided.
Mail Application (Overseas Only)
- A photocopy of your passport or relevant identification documents verified, notarized, or certified by the R.O.C.’s overseas representative office, the Straits Exchange Foundation, or related notary authorities.
- Processing fee: USD 7 per certificate (cash only), including the certificate fee and regular mail postage. For Hong Kong and Macau, the fee is USD 6 per certificate. Starting from the second copy, each additional certificate costs USD 1.
- Application form.
- An envelope with the recipient’s address (no need to include return postage).
Mailing address:
Foreign Affairs Division, Taipei City Police Department
No.96, Yanping S. Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Required Documents
- Application Form: One copy is required. For in-person applications, the form will be provided on-site.
- For Taiwanese Nationals: Original New-Style National Identification Card or Household Registration Booklet (if using the Household Registration Booklet, an additional photo ID is required).
- For Residents of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau: R.O.C. Taiwan Area Residence Certificate or other relevant documents issued by the National Immigration Agency.
- For Foreign Nationals: Original Passport or Alien Resident Certificate.
- After verification, the original document will be returned. If an English name needs to be included, the basic information page of the passport (original or copy) must also be submitted.
- Fees: NT$100 for each certificate. For applications requesting two or more copies, each additional copy (from the second copy onward) costs NT$20. (All certificates must have identical content.)
- For Applications Submitted by Proxy: A proxy must provide a letter of authorization signed or stamped by the applicant (the application form includes a section for this). The proxy must also present their own identification document (original).
- For Applicants Under 20 Years Old: According to Article 4 of the Police Criminal Record Certificate Issuance Regulations, applications must be submitted by the applicant’s legal guardian.
Issuance Timeline
- For General Cases: The certificate will be issued no later than 2.5 business days from the date the application is processed.
- For Cases Requiring Further Verification: If the application involves ongoing investigations or incomplete judgment records in the criminal information system, further inquiries will be made to judicial or military authorities. The issuance timeline will depend on the results of the case-specific inquiry.
Situations Where a Police Certificate Cannot Be Issued
According to Article 8 of the Police Criminal Record Certificate Issuance Regulations, the following applicants will not be issued a Police Criminal Record Certificate:
- Applicants who are still under active wanted status (i.e., warrants have not been lifted).
- Applicants who have a final judgment in a criminal case that has not been executed or is still under execution.
Thus, individuals with a criminal record can still apply, but if they are wanted, on parole, have not paid fines, or have not completed community service as part of their sentence, the police will not issue the certificate according to the law.
Contents Recorded in the Police Certificate
If the applicant has criminal records, the police will issue the certificate, which clearly indicates whether the applicant has any criminal records unless the following apply:
- The case falls under the provisions of Article 83-1, Paragraph 1 of the Juvenile Offenders Act.
- The applicant has been placed under probation, and the probation has not been revoked.
- The applicant has been sentenced to detention or a fine.
- The applicant has received a non-punitive sentence.
- The applicant has been granted exemption from the execution of a sentence.
- The criminal penalty has been abolished by law.
- The applicant has completed a fine payment or community service under Section 41, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code and has not received a sentence of imprisonment above a fixed term within five years.
Received Taiwan Police Certificate
I decided to apply for the Taiwan police certificate in person to receive it sooner. Initially, I thought I could get it within 30 minutes, but I was informed that it would take 3 working days. I went to apply on Thursday, and by Monday, I was able to pick up my certificate directly from the police station with my receipt. Here’s the Taiwan police certificate I applied for (the red slip is the receipt):
The process of applying for a Taiwan police certificate is actually quite simple. However, I want to remind everyone that it’s very important to be a law-abiding citizen in society because if there are any negative records on your criminal record certificate, it could lead to limitations or obstacles in future job applications or visa requests. So, maintaining a good personal record is beneficial not only for yourself but also helps avoid unnecessary trouble in the future.
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