A police character certificate in Pakistan confirms whether the police hold a criminal record against you. Punjab issues it in around 3 working days for a fee of about PKR 350, while Sindh takes roughly 10 to 18 working days. Since 2026 embassies accept only digital certificates carrying a verifiable QR code.
This certificate goes by two names. Some authorities call it a Police Clearance Certificate and others a character certificate, but in Pakistan they are the same document, confirming whether a criminal record exists against your identity. It is requested for visa applications, overseas employment, and increasingly by Pakistani employers as part of pre-employment screening.
How to apply, province by province
The process is not uniform across Pakistan. Punjab has digitised furthest, while other provinces still rely on the district police office.
| Province | How to apply | Typical processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab | Punjab Police Khidmat Markaz counters, with online payment available | About 3 working days |
| Islamabad (ICT) | Islamabad Capital Territory police, application at the designated office | About 3 working days |
| Sindh | District police office. No fully integrated online portal equivalent to Punjab | About 10 to 18 working days |
| KPK | Provincial police channels, partially digitised | Varies by district |
| Balochistan & GB | District police office in person. Online options remain limited | Varies by district |
Documents you will need
- Original CNIC and photocopies
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Completed application form for your province
- Proof of the address recorded against your CNIC
- Passport copy, if the certificate is for visa or overseas employment purposes
What it costs
The government fee is small. In Punjab it is around PKR 350, payable at a Khidmat Markaz counter or online. Across the provinces the fee generally sits between PKR 500 and PKR 2,000, with the higher end applying to urgent processing. If someone is quoting you many times that amount, you are paying for their time rather than for the certificate.
Why processing gets delayed
Most delays trace back to a mismatch between the applicant's records and the police database. The address recorded against your CNIC not matching where you actually live is the single most common cause. Pending litigation or an unresolved FIR in another district will also hold the application. Checking your CNIC details with NADRA before applying saves more time than any expedited service.
What this means for employers
If you are screening a candidate, this is the check you cannot run for them. In most provinces the certificate is issued only against an application made by the individual personally, because it is tied to their own identity record. A screening firm can prepare the paperwork, explain the requirements and track progress, but the candidate must sign and submit.
Any provider who claims they can pull a police record without the candidate's involvement is either describing a different check or is not operating through legitimate channels. Under PECA 2016 you also need the candidate's written consent before running any background verification, which makes their participation necessary in any case.
In practice, most employers include the police certificate as a condition of the offer and give the candidate a deadline to produce it, while the verification firm runs the checks that can be done independently, such as degree attestation, employment history and address verification. That approach is covered in more detail on our background verification service page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a police character certificate online in Pakistan?
Punjab residents apply through the Punjab Police Khidmat Markaz system, and KPK and Sindh have their own provincial channels. You submit your CNIC, photographs and an application form, pay the fee, and collect or download the certificate once the police verification is complete. Provinces without a full online portal still require a visit to the district police office or Khidmat Markaz.
What is the police character certificate fee in Pakistan?
The government fee is nominal. In Punjab it is around PKR 350 paid at a Khidmat Markaz counter or online. Across provinces the fee generally falls between PKR 500 and PKR 2,000 depending on whether you choose normal or urgent processing. Agents charging far above this are charging for convenience, not for the certificate itself.
How long does a police character certificate take?
Punjab and Islamabad typically issue within about 3 working days. Sindh usually takes longer, in the range of 10 to 18 working days, because the process is less digitised. Timelines slip when the applicant's address or CNIC details do not match police records, so check those before applying.
Do embassies accept a handwritten police certificate?
No. As of 2026 embassies generally accept only digital certificates carrying a QR code that can be verified online. A handwritten or manually stamped certificate is likely to be rejected for visa and immigration purposes, so always request the digital version.
Can an employer obtain a police character certificate on a candidate's behalf?
Not directly. In most provinces the application must be made by the individual personally, because it is issued against their own identity record. An employer or screening firm can prepare the paperwork, guide the applicant and track the status, but the candidate signs and submits it. Any provider claiming they can pull a police record without the individual's involvement should be treated with caution.
Is a police character certificate the same as a police clearance certificate?
In Pakistan the two terms are used interchangeably for the same document. Some authorities label it a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and others a character certificate. Both confirm whether the police hold a criminal record against the named individual.
Screening candidates and need the rest of the checks handled?
We run education, employment, address and litigation verification while the candidate obtains their police certificate.