An ACRO police certificate is one of the most commonly requested UK documents for overseas visa, immigration and residency applications. If you are moving abroad, applying for a long-term visa, seeking residency or completing immigration paperwork, a foreign authority may ask for your ACRO police certificate to be apostilled.

The apostille confirms that the ACRO certificate is a genuine UK-issued document and can be recognised for official use overseas. However, the certificate must be in the correct format before it is submitted for legalisation.

This guide explains when an ACRO police certificate may need an apostille, how to prepare it correctly and what to check before using it abroad.

When might you need an ACRO police certificate apostille?

You may need to apostille an ACRO police certificate if a foreign authority has asked for legalised proof of your UK police record.

Common reasons include:

• Visa applications
• Residency applications
• Immigration processes
• Citizenship applications abroad
• Work permits
• Long-term relocation
• Overseas employment
• Family visa applications
• Adoption or family procedures
• Professional registration
• Teaching or healthcare roles abroad
• Foreign government background checks

The exact requirement depends on the destination country and the authority requesting the document.

What is an ACRO police certificate?

An ACRO police certificate is an official UK police certificate commonly used for immigration and visa purposes abroad.

It is often requested by embassies, consulates and immigration authorities to confirm whether an applicant has a police record in the UK.

It is different from a DBS certificate. While DBS certificates are commonly used for employment and safeguarding checks, ACRO police certificates are more commonly requested for visa, immigration and residency applications.

What does the apostille confirm?

An apostille confirms that the signature, stamp or seal on the ACRO police certificate is genuine.

It does not change the content of the police certificate, and it does not extend the certificate’s validity. It simply authenticates the document so that it can be recognised by an overseas authority.

Once the apostille is attached, the ACRO certificate can usually be used in countries that accept apostilles under the Hague Apostille Convention.

ACRO certificate vs DBS certificate

ACRO and DBS documents are often confused, but they are used for different purposes.

An ACRO police certificate is commonly requested for:

• Visas
• Immigration
• Residency
• Citizenship applications
• Long-term relocation
• Overseas government checks

A DBS certificate is commonly requested for:

• Employment checks
• Teaching roles
• Healthcare work
• Volunteering
• Safeguarding
• Work with children or vulnerable adults

If a foreign authority asks specifically for an ACRO police certificate, a DBS certificate may not be accepted, even if it has been apostilled.

Which ACRO certificate format is accepted?

For apostille purposes, the safest option is usually the original ACRO police certificate in good condition.

The certificate should be:

• Original
• Complete
• Clear and readable
• Undamaged
• Not laminated
• Not altered
• Issued in the correct name
• Recent enough for the receiving authority

A scan, screenshot, email attachment or plain photocopy will not usually be accepted unless the receiving authority has confirmed that a certified copy is suitable.

Can a photocopy of an ACRO certificate be apostilled?

A photocopy is not usually the best option for an ACRO police certificate.

Most visa and immigration authorities prefer the original certificate, especially where the document is being used for official government applications.

A certified copy may be possible in some cases, but only if the receiving authority confirms that they will accept it. If they specifically ask for the original ACRO certificate, a certified copy may be rejected.

Does an ACRO certificate need solicitor certification?

An original ACRO police certificate can often be submitted for apostille without solicitor certification, provided it is in an acceptable format.

However, solicitor or notary certification may be required if:

• You are using a copy rather than the original
• The receiving authority has asked for a certified copy
• The document needs to be included in a certified bundle
• Additional supporting documents are being legalised
• The certificate format needs professional certification

Before submitting a copy, check whether the foreign authority will accept it.

How recent does the ACRO certificate need to be?

Many foreign authorities require ACRO police certificates to be recently issued.

The acceptable age of the certificate can vary depending on the country and application type. Some authorities may ask for a certificate issued within:

• 1 month
• 3 months
• 6 months
• 12 months

An apostille does not make an old certificate “new” again. If the receiving authority requires a recent police certificate, you may need to apply for a new ACRO certificate before arranging apostille.

Paper apostille or e-Apostille?

For ACRO police certificates, a paper apostille is usually the correct option.

A paper apostille is attached to the physical certificate and is widely accepted for visa, residency, immigration and government use abroad.

An e-Apostille is generally not suitable for ACRO police certificates. If the receiving authority has asked for an apostilled ACRO certificate, you should normally prepare the original document for a paper apostille.

Does the ACRO certificate need translation?

Some countries require a translated version of the apostilled ACRO police certificate.

Translation may be needed for:

• Visa applications
• Residency applications
• Citizenship applications
• Work permit applications
• Immigration files
• Court or government procedures
• Professional registration
• Family or adoption applications

Depending on the country, the translation may need to be certified or sworn. Some authorities require the ACRO certificate to be apostilled first and then translated, while others may also require the translation to be legalised.

Always check translation requirements before sending the document overseas.

Do you need embassy attestation?

If the ACRO certificate is being used in a country that accepts apostilles, the apostille is usually the main authentication step.

However, if the destination country is outside the Hague Apostille Convention, embassy or consular attestation may also be required after the apostille.

This can apply to countries such as:

• UAE
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• Vietnam
• Thailand
• Some other non-Hague countries

Embassy attestation is a separate process and can add extra time, so it should be checked before the certificate is sent overseas.

Common reasons ACRO apostille documents are rejected

An ACRO police certificate may cause problems if it is not prepared correctly.

Common issues include:

• The certificate is too old for the receiving authority
• The certificate is damaged or altered
• The certificate has been laminated
• A photocopy was submitted instead of the original
• The authority requested ACRO but the applicant provided DBS
• Translation was required but not included
• Embassy attestation was required but not completed
• The name on the certificate does not match other documents
• The receiving authority requested a paper apostille, not a digital version

Checking requirements before submission can help avoid delays and repeated costs.

What if your name has changed?

If your name has changed, the foreign authority may need evidence linking your previous and current names.

This may include:

• Deed poll
• Change of name deed
• Marriage certificate
• Civil partnership certificate
• Divorce document
• Birth certificate
• Passport copy

If these supporting documents are also being used abroad, they may need separate apostilles.

How long does an ACRO police certificate apostille take?

The timescale depends on whether your ACRO certificate is ready for apostille and which service you choose.

At The Apostille Office, the main apostille service options are:

• Premium Apostille Service — 1 working day
• Express Apostille Service — 5 working days

You should also allow extra time if you need to obtain a new ACRO certificate, arrange translation, embassy attestation or international delivery.

ACRO police certificate apostille checklist

Before submitting an ACRO police certificate for apostille, check:

• Has the receiving authority asked for ACRO rather than DBS?
• Is the certificate original?
• Is it recent enough for the authority?
• Is it clear, complete and undamaged?
• Has it been laminated or altered?
• Does the name match your other documents?
• Is a paper apostille required?
• Is translation needed?
• Is embassy attestation required?
• Do you need secure UK or international delivery?

Checking these points before submission can help avoid rejection and delays.

Need help apostilling an ACRO police certificate?

If you need an ACRO police certificate apostilled for a visa, residency, immigration or overseas employment application, our team can help prepare it correctly.

We can check whether your certificate is suitable, arrange apostille legalisation and help with translation, embassy attestation or secure delivery where required.

Contact The Apostille Office on +44 (0) 204 630 6700 and we will guide you through the correct process for your destination country.