How to apply for a Criminal Record Check in the UK for a visa application.

If you are planning to live, work or retire abroad as a UK passport holder, a Criminal Record Check, also known as a Police Certificate, is an essential element of any visa application.

The Police Certificate details whether or not you have a criminal record in the United Kingdom and may also include foreign criminal history information where it has been disclosed to the UK, as well as any impending prosecutions and offences that are under investigation.

Where to apply for your Police Certificate
Anybody who has lived or worked in the UK is eligible to apply for an ACRO Police Certificate, which they can do so online via this website. Once on the website, click on the link for Police Certificates.

There are four types of Certificate, as follows:

• No Trace: There are no convictions, cautions, reprimands/warnings or conditional discharges
• No Live Trace: There is a criminal record but this information does not appear on the certificate because it has been stepped down
• Trace: There is a criminal record and all the information has been disclosed
• Further information stepped down: There is a criminal record, however only relevant criminal record information appears on the certificate as some information has been stepped down

How much does it cost?
The service costs £65 per person, which includes UK postage charges. International postage and courier services are available at extra cost. 

What information will you need to provide?

• Proof of current address (full details of how to prove this on application form)
• Passport-spec colour photo
• Colour copy of passport (information/title page and photo)
• 10 year address history including dates
• Any additional relevant documentation e.g. POA, letter of authority (if applicable)
• Valid email address
• Endorser details – your application must be endorsed by a suitable individual who must provide their name, occupation, relationship to the applicant, telephone number and email address
• Your UK National Insurance number and if applicable, driving licence number

There are guidelines about file size and format and lots of helpful information on the FAQ pages for the ACRO website.

Can someone else apply for a Police Certificate on your behalf?
Yes, as long as the third party has a signed letter of authorisation from the person whose data is being requested, plus proof of identity that shows the true applicant’s signature. Valid proof includes a passport, driving licence or identity card.

How will the Police Certificate be supplied and how long does it take?
Certificates will only be provided in a physical format and are sent by post directly to the applicant only, not to the Consulate or other authority. 

Processing time – 20 working days to process (not including weekends or Bank holidays) plus a few days for delivery.

You’ve got your Police Certificate, what happens next?

If your Certificate says “No Trace” or “No Live Trace” then you move to the next stage –  getting the Certificate translated by a sworn translator and legalised with the Hague Apostille. 
If your Certificate shows details of a criminal record (i.e. “Trace”) then it’s highly unlikely you will be able to get a visa to live in Spain – the final decision rests with the officer on the day

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you have lived outside the UK for more than 3 months at a time in the last 5 years, then Spanish Immigration will also require a Police Certificate from any country that you lived in.

Check out the article below for more info about the ACRO criminal records check: 

https://upsticks.es/can-you-get-a-non-lucrative-visa-with-a-criminal-record-uk-applicants/