The ACRO Police Certificate: What UK Applicants Need to Know
Applying for a visa that requires a UK police certificate? Here is what an ACRO certificate is, how to apply, how long it takes, and exactly when it needs an apostille for use abroad.
An ACRO Police Certificate is an official UK criminal record certificate, commonly required for visa and immigration applications around the world. If you have lived in the UK, a destination country will often ask for one as proof of your criminal record status.
Who Needs an ACRO Police Certificate?
You will typically be asked for one if you are:
- Applying for a visa or residency in another country and have lived in the UK
- Emigrating and required to show a police certificate from each country you have lived in
- Taking up overseas employment in a regulated or sensitive role
- Completing an adoption or immigration process that requires character checks
How to Apply
The process has a few moving parts, and small mistakes at the application stage lead to delays:
- Complete the ACRO application with details that exactly match your identity documents
- Provide supporting identification and any required address history
- Choose standard or priority handling depending on your deadline
- Receive your certificate, then arrange an apostille if your destination requires it
Do You Also Need an Apostille?
This is the step most applicants overlook. If the destination country asks for the certificate to be apostilled, it must be processed by the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) after you receive it from ACRO.
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Destination accepts the ACRO certificate as-is | ACRO Police Certificate only |
| Destination requires legalisation | ACRO certificate + FCDO apostille |
| Destination is non-English speaking | ACRO certificate + apostille + certified translation |
How Long Does It Take?
Timelines depend on ACRO's current processing volume and whether you choose standard or priority handling, plus the additional time for an FCDO apostille if you need one. Because there are two separate offices involved, planning ahead is the difference between a smooth application and a missed deadline.
Handle the Certificate and Apostille Together
Printwise can manage the ACRO application and the FCDO apostille as a single coordinated order, and add a certified translation where the destination country requires one — so you are not juggling two offices and a translator on your own.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ACRO Police Certificate?
It is an official UK criminal record certificate issued by the Criminal Records Office (ACRO), commonly required for visa, residency, and employment applications abroad.
Does my ACRO certificate need an apostille?
Only if your destination country requires it. When it does, the apostille is added by the FCDO after ACRO issues your certificate. Some non-English-speaking countries also require a certified translation.
How long does an ACRO certificate take?
It depends on ACRO's current processing volume and whether you choose standard or priority handling. If you also need an FCDO apostille, add time for that separate step — plan ahead against your deadline.
In what order do the steps happen?
First ACRO issues the certificate, then the FCDO adds the apostille if required, and finally a certified translation is added last if your destination is non-English speaking.
Can Printwise handle both the ACRO application and the apostille?
Yes. We manage the ACRO application and the FCDO apostille as a single coordinated order, and can add certified translation where it is required.
The Printwise Team
Identity Verification Specialists
Printwise Global is an international identity-verification company providing certified fingerprinting, FBI and RCMP background checks, apostille, and certified translation. Our specialists manage cross-border document requirements end to end for clients across the USA, Canada, the UK, India, and beyond.
