#validityperiod

A Thai Police Clearance Certificate—often referred to as a Certificate of Good Conduct or Criminal Record Check—is an official document issued by the Royal Thai Police. It confirms whether an individual has any criminal record in Thailand during their period of residence. For foreigners, this document is increasingly essential for securing long-term visas, work permits, international job applications, or immigration to a third country.

As of 2026, the application process has become highly structured, with two distinct pathways based on where you currently reside and what you need the certificate for. Understanding this distinction is critical to avoid months of delays or outright rejection.

Who Needs a Thai Police Clearance Certificate?

Foreigners typically require this certificate in the following scenarios:

Visa and Work Permit Applications: Many long-term Thai visas—such as Non-Immigrant B (Business), Marriage, and Retirement visas—and work permit applications may require a police clearance.

International Immigration: If you are applying for residency, citizenship, or an extended visa in a third country (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, or EU nations), those authorities will demand a police certificate covering your entire stay in Thailand.

Teaching or High-Risk Employment: Due to recent scandals concerning foreign teachers, schools now frequently require a Thai police check before issuing a contract.

Adoption or Legal Proceedings: International adoption agencies or courts may request the document to verify background.

Note: If you apply for a work permit or a Non-B visa at a Thai consulate outside of Thailand, you generally need a clearance from your home country. However, if you have resided in Thailand for a significant period (usually more than six months), the consulate may also demand a Thai police clearance.

The 2026 "Two Path" System

You cannot simply visit any police station in Thailand. The Royal Thai Police enforces a strict division of labor:

The Provincial Path (For Domestic Use) : Processed at Provincial Forensic Science Offices. This is specifically for those applying for a Thai Work Permit or Teaching License inside Thailand. Results are usually issued to your employer.

The Bangkok Path (For International Use) : Processed at the Police Clearance Service Center (Building 6, Royal Thai Police HQ) . This is strictly for those who need the certificate for foreign visa applications or international background checks.

If you plan to move back to your home country or apply for a visa in Singapore, Europe, or the Americas, you must use the Bangkok path.

Location Details for Bangkok Center

Address: Building 6 (1st Floor), Royal Thai Police Headquarters, Rama I Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok.

Nearby: 10-minute walk from BTS Siam Station.

Hours: Monday–Friday, 08:30 – 16:30.

Method 1: Applying While Inside Thailand

If you are currently living in Thailand with a valid visa (Tourist, Non-Immigrant, or Long-Term), this is the fastest route.

Step-by-Step Process:

Prepare Documents:

Original Passport.

Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (signed in blue ink).

Photocopy of current Thai Visa and latest entry stamp.

Proof of address in Thailand (Rental contract, Condo juristic letter, or TM.30).

Two 2x2 inch (passport-sized) photos with white background.

Visit the Center: Go to Building 6, RTP HQ. You do not necessarily need an appointment, though walk-ins may involve waiting; a digital queue registration via the official RTP portal is recommended.

Biometrics & Submission: You will undergo a "Live Scan" (electronic fingerprinting) and a photo. Submit the signed documents.

Payment: Fee is 100 Baht (Cash only).

Timeline: 7 to 15 working days. Delivery: You can collect it in person or pay a small postage fee to have it mailed to a Thai address.

Method 2: Applying from Overseas (Vietnam, Europe, USA, etc.)

If you have returned to your home country and now need a clearance from Thailand, you cannot get the digital scan. You must apply via mail[ citation:1].

This process is complicated because the Thai police require physical hard-copy fingerprints for verification.

Required Documents (Mailed Application):

Two Sets of Original Fingerprints: These must be rolled ink fingerprints. You must obtain these at a local police station or a Thai embassy/consulate in your country. The prints must have the official seal and signature of the officer taking them. (Photocopies or scanned prints are rejected).

Completed Application Forms: Including the "Testimony Memorandum" explaining why you need the certificate and which country will receive it.

Passport Copies: Certified true copies of the bio page and all Thai visa pages.

Two Photographs: Passport size.

Submission Address:

Police Clearance Service Center Building 24 (or Building 6 depending on updates), Royal Thai Police Headquarters Rama I Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330.

Payment and Postage:

Fee: 100 Baht. This must be paid via international bank transfer or an International Cashier's Check (drawn on a Thai bank) before they process your file.

Return Envelope: You must include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient international postage (or vouchers) for them to mail the certificate back to you.

Timeline: 20 to 30 working days (or longer if the quality of your fingerprint card is poor, causing a rejection).

Legalisation for International Use (The MFA Stamp)

A crucial step that foreigners often miss: A raw Thai Police Clearance certificate is valid in Thailand. However, if you are using this certificate for an embassy in your home country or for a foreign visa application (e.g., Spanish NLV, Canadian PR), you must have it legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) .

Where: The Consular Affairs Department at Chaeng Watthana, or the satellite office at CentralWorld (6th Floor) in Bangkok.

Process: You bring the issued certificate to the MFA. They check the signature and affix an "apostille" or legalization stamp (depending on the destination country).

Time: 2–3 days for standard processing.

Note: If you handle this process via a law firm or agent, they may include this step as part of the "express" service.

Costs, Validity, and Common Mistakes

Cost Breakdown

Government Fee: 100 THB (strictly).

Agency Fees: If you use a visa agent to handle this for you, expect fees ranging from 2,000 to 7,900 THB depending on the speed.

Express Options: The official walk-in cost is 100 THB, but some service providers or on-site "express lanes" may charge up to 2,000 THB for a 1-week turnaround.

Validity Period

The certificate does not always have an expiration date printed on it, but foreign authorities (embassies) usually require it to be issued within the last 3 to 6 months. Thai authorities generally accept it for 8–12 months.

The "Blue Ink" Rule

This is a specific cultural nuance of Thai bureaucracy: When signing photocopies of your passport or visa for the police, you must use a blue ink pen. Signing with black ink or using a digital signature is a common reason for documents to be rejected at the counter.

Criminal Record Implications

If the certificate comes back stating you have a criminal record in Thailand, it will list the specific offenses. If you have a criminal record, you should consult a lawyer before proceeding with your visa application, as you may be deemed a threat to public safety, leading to a ban.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need to go to the police station where I lived? No. The database is national. Whether you lived in Chiang Mai or Phuket, you apply at the central Police Clearance Center in Bangkok (or via mail).

Q: What if I am on a Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption? You are usually still eligible to apply for the police clearance as long as you are physically present in Thailand with a valid entry stamp. However, keep in mind that the Bangkok Bank and other services may not open accounts for tourists, but the police generally process the clearance.

Q: Will speeding tickets or minor infractions appear? Minor traffic fines (paid on the spot) generally do not appear on a criminal clearance certificate. This document concerns criminal court convictions, not traffic tickets.

Q: Can I use this certificate for a job in the UAE or China? Yes. However, you will need the MFA Legalisation followed by legalisation at the respective embassy (e.g., UAE Embassy in Bangkok) for the document to be valid in that specific country.

Q: Does the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) holder need this? While not strictly required for the visa itself, if you are a digital nomad on a DTV looking to rent a condo long-term or enroll a child in a Thai school, the landlord or school may request a police clearance.