Police Certificate

Police Certificates from the Japanese Police Agency are issued only when requested by certain authorities as required by law. As such, an application may only be made where it has been requested by foreign authorities (e.g. an embassy, immigration agency, etc.); or by an employer when an applicant is required for a position in the UK that involves vulnerable individuals (e.g. Children under 19, individuals with illness or disability and/or elderly individuals). If your reason for application is not mentioned above, please contact the Consular Section for further information.

Documents required for the application are as follows: 

1. Application form for Police Certificate* 
2. Fingerprint form (supplied by the Japanese police authority)
3. Contact details form*
4. Documents to support your application, which must clearly state why you require a Police Certificate (e.g. a letter from the organisation where you will be employed, the written regulations of the organisation or authority) 
5. Valid passport

*We will ask you to complete form 1. and 3. at the Consulate.
*You may require submitting additional documents depending on the reason for application. Please let us know your reason for application before your application appointment.
 

Please select one of the following application procedures:

​
    1. Request fingerprint forms first, then make application in person at the Consulate after taking
       fingerprints at a police station   
     (1) Please send us an A4 stamped self-addressed envelope with a barcoded 1^st class LARGE stamp,
         with a letter stating your name, contact details and a reason for application. 
     (2) Please contact your local police station to arrange INK fingerprinting. They may require an appointment
        and fees may be applicable.
        Police telephone number: 101
        *If your fingerprints are to be taken at a police station in Scotland: As most police stations in Scotland primarily use digital fingerprinting systems, some may not be able to provide ink fingerprinting services. If your local police station cannot take your fingerprints using ink, you may instead have your fingerprints taken at another authorised public institution, such as a notary public's office. We apologise for the inconvenience and kindly ask that you use a nearby facility that offers ink fingerprinting services.
     (3) Please make an appointment with the Consulate online and make an application in person. 

    2. Collect fingerprint forms when you make application, then submit it in person OR by post after
        fingerprinting at a police station 
      (1) Please make an appointment with the Consulate online, including your reason for application in
         the booking form. Please then make application in person with the documents 4. and 5. of the
         required documents.
      (2) Please contact your local police station to arrange INK fingerprinting. They may require an appointment
         and fees may be applicable.
        Police telephone number: 101
        *If your fingerprints are to be taken at a police station in Scotland: As most police stations in Scotland primarily use digital fingerprinting systems, some may not be able to provide ink fingerprinting services. If your local police station cannot take your fingerprints using ink, you may instead have your fingerprints taken at another authorised public institution, such as a notary public's office. We apologise for the inconvenience and kindly ask that you use a nearby facility that offers ink fingerprinting services.
      (3) Please make an appointment to submit the completed form, or post it to us by Special Delivery or
          Recorded signed for service.
* If you wish to submit the completed fingerprint form on the day of the application, please contact the police station beforehand. Please also make two appointments with us for application and submission of completed fingerprint form.

For further information on Online booking system, please see the following page: Online booking system. 
[Please see the screenshot of the booking form below for your reference]




In some cases submission of an apostille may be required by the requesting organisation in place of a fully legalised certificate, as facilitated by the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Apostille Convention). Please confirm with the organisation requesting a Police Certificate whether you will require this in advance and be sure to inform us of this requirement when you apply.

All documents will be forwarded to Japan and it will take approximately 2 months to receive your Police Certificate.

There is no charge for the Police Certificate.

We strongly advise applicants to collect the Certificate in person from the Consulate, as it contains private and confidential information. If you cannot collect the certificate in person, you can arrange for someone to collect it on your behalf. In order to do so, the person collecting the certificate must provide a photo ID (i.e. passport or UK driving licence) and an authorisation letter (any format) signed by the applicant. Please see the above information for Online Booking System.

Alternatively, if you wish to receive the certificate by post, please provide us with a pre-paid Special Delivery envelope. Please note that the Consulate will not accept any responsibility for any problems which may occur during the postal delivery.

Consular Section
Consulate General of Japan
2 Melville Crescent
Edinburgh EH3 7HW

Tel: 0131 225 4777 (Please press 2 to listen to options in English, and then 2 for the Consular Section)
Email: ryoji@ed.mofa.go.jp