The Police Certificate is issued by the Gardai. Ireland’s National Police and Security Service.
- How to Apply
Apply in person at your nearest Garda Station
If you cannot go there in person, you can appoint someone to apply on your behalf. When making your application, request that the document be handed to you already notarized.
The application should be made to the Superintendent of your local district (present or past). Make sure to note the name of the officer who’ll accept your application. You’ll have to give your full name, date of birth and exact residential address (past and present).
You must state the reason you’re applying for a Police Certificate (ie. for your China work visa!). Police certificate applications are made for specific purposes. An application for
Don’t forget to give them a copy of your passport and a self-addressed, stamped envelope so they can mail you the doc.
It’s important to ask for the document to be notarized so you don’t need to visit twice!
- Wait for the certificate to be issued
Usually, the Garda is quite swift and you’ll have the doc ready in just a couple of days. Although they do state that it can take 2 weeks so it’s worth keeping that in mind. When you receive your document, look out for a blue stamp at the bottom of the page (LHS), This signifies it has been notarized. If it’s missing, you will need to head back to the Garda to have it notarized.