ACRO Police Certificate Application on Hold for a Patronymic Name: How to Reply

The immediate answer

ACRO may pause your Police Certificate application when it needs the English transliteration of your patronymic name.

Reply to the existing ACRO email and provide the exact Latin-character spelling that your passport or another official identity document displays. Keep the ACRO reference number in the subject line, explain which document contains the spelling and do not submit a second application unless ACRO asks you to do so.

After ACRO accepts the information, it can continue processing your application. However, ACRO pauses the relevant processing period while it waits for missing information.

What does ACRO mean by a patronymic name?

A patronymic forms part of a person’s legal name and usually comes from the given name of a parent or ancestor. Several countries and naming systems use patronymics as a formal part of a person’s identity.

ACRO may ask for an “English translation” of the patronymic. In practice, most applicants need to provide a transliteration rather than a translation. Transliteration converts a name from another writing system, such as Cyrillic, into Latin characters.

This difference matters because one name may have several possible English spellings. Therefore, do not choose an informal version simply because it looks more natural in English. Instead, copy the spelling that your passport or official identity record uses. If different documents use different spellings, explain each version clearly.

Why does ACRO pause an application?

ACRO checks the applicant’s full identity history. Its checks may cover:

• Current names;
• Previous names;
• Maiden or married names;
• Alternative spellings;
• Transliterated names; and
• Other names that the applicant has used.

ACRO may need a patronymic even when the applicant rarely uses it in the United Kingdom or does not treat it as an English-style middle name.

In the anonymised client matter behind this article, ACRO explained that it would enter the English version of the patronymic in the Other Names field. This allowed ACRO to confirm that its checks covered the applicant’s full identity.

How should you reply to ACRO?

Reply promptly and keep your answer clear.

First, reply within the original email thread. This keeps the reference number and case history together. Do not start a new application unless ACRO specifically tells you to do so.

Next, type the patronymic in Latin characters exactly as your passport or official record displays it. Check every letter carefully. Similar names may have several accepted transliterations, and even a one-letter difference may trigger another query.

Then, identify the source of the spelling. For example, tell ACRO that the applicant’s passport displays that transliteration.

Also explain any inconsistency. If one document uses a different version, list both spellings and name the document that uses each one. Do not hide the variation or change a spelling to make the documents look consistent.

Finally, reply before the deadline in ACRO’s email. In the anonymised matter considered here, ACRO allowed four weeks for a response. Your own email may contain a different deadline, so follow the instructions in your case.

An anonymised ACRO Premium case resolved on the same day

In a recent 2026 client matter, ACRO paused a Premium application because it needed the English transliteration of the applicant’s patronymic name.

Ginkgo Advisory checked the spelling against the applicant’s passport and replied within the original ACRO email thread. Later that day, ACRO confirmed that it could continue processing the application.

The applicant did not need to submit another application.

This example shows how a precise answer can resolve a narrow identity query quickly. However, ACRO controls all response times, processing times and certificate decisions. Therefore, no representative can promise a same-day result.

Does an ACRO hold affect Premium processing?

Yes.

ACRO states that its Premium Police Certificate service takes up to two working days to process. ACRO does not count the submission day or the dispatch day within that period.

However, Premium service does not guarantee that ACRO will issue an incomplete application within two working days. When ACRO asks for more information, it pauses the processing period until it receives the required answer.

The practical timeline may look like this:

You submit the application → ACRO identifies a missing detail → ACRO pauses the application → you reply → ACRO accepts the answer → ACRO resumes processing → ACRO dispatches the certificate

Therefore, applicants with urgent deadlines should check all names and spellings before submission. They should also monitor their email closely after applying.

Ginkgo Advisory ACRO Priority Handling

Ginkgo Advisory offers ACRO Priority Handling for applicants who need a managed and time-sensitive service.

Our priority service may include:

• Reviewing passport names, patronymics and alternative spellings before submission;
• Checking current names and previous names;
• Preparing and submitting the application under the applicant’s authority;
• Coordinating ACRO’s official Premium option when the client instructs us to use it;
• Monitoring ACRO correspondence;
• Responding quickly when ACRO requests more information;
• Arranging delivery of the original certificate to our London office; and
• Moving the original certificate directly into the UK Apostille process.

Our ACRO Priority Handling service manages the application process, but it does not replace ACRO’s role. ACRO alone decides whether to issue the certificate and when to complete its checks.

The service aims to reduce avoidable errors, answer ACRO queries promptly and coordinate the full route from application to apostille.

You can also apply to ACRO yourself

You may complete the ACRO Police Certificate application yourself and ask ACRO to send the original certificate directly to Ginkgo Advisory’s London office.

The route works as follows:

You apply directly to ACRO → ACRO sends the original certificate to our London office → Ginkgo Advisory arranges the UK Apostille → we return or courier the completed document

This route often helps applicants who live outside the United Kingdom. It avoids sending the original certificate overseas and then returning it to the UK for an apostille.

Before you complete the ACRO application, contact us for the correct London delivery details.

Express 2-working-day UK Apostille service

After our London office receives the eligible original ACRO Police Certificate, Ginkgo Advisory can complete our express UK Apostille service in 2 working days.

The two-working-day period covers our express apostille stage after we receive the eligible original document. It does not include:

• ACRO’s application processing;
• Delivery from ACRO to our London office;
• Embassy or consular legalisation after the apostille; or
• Final courier delivery to the applicant or overseas authority.

GOV.UK excludes ACRO Police Certificates for England and Wales from the e-Apostille service. Therefore, the certificate needs a physical paper apostille.

A realistic urgent route may look like this:

Stage	Indicative period
ACRO Premium application	Up to 2 ACRO working days
Delivery from ACRO to London	Postal or courier time
Ginkgo Advisory express UK Apostille	2 working days after we receive the eligible original
Return delivery	Courier time
Embassy legalisation, where required	Additional destination-specific time

If ACRO requests more information, that request may extend the ACRO stage because ACRO pauses processing until it receives the answer.

Common patronymic-name mistakes

Applicants can avoid most problems by checking the following points.

1. Using an informal English version

A familiar or shortened spelling may not match the passport. Always use the official version unless you explain why another version appears in your records.

2. Treating the patronymic as optional

The applicant may not use the patronymic in daily life, but ACRO may still need it for identity checks.

3. Choosing one transliteration without explaining the others

When official records use different spellings, list each spelling and identify its source.

4. Submitting a second application

If ACRO asks you to reply to the existing case, do not create another application. A duplicate application may cause extra cost, confusion and delay.

5. Assuming Premium processing continues during the hold

ACRO pauses the processing period while it waits for the missing information.

6. Sending the certificate overseas before arranging the apostille

If you need a UK Apostille, ask ACRO to send the original certificate directly to our London office. This route can remove an unnecessary international delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Does an ACRO request for a patronymic name mean that ACRO has refused the application?

No. ACRO normally asks for more information because it needs clarification before it can continue its checks. Once ACRO receives and accepts the answer, it can resume processing.

Should I translate or transliterate my patronymic?

In most cases, you should transliterate the name into Latin characters rather than translate it into a different English name. Use the exact spelling that your passport or official record displays and explain any alternative versions.

Will the patronymic appear on my ACRO Police Certificate?

It may. In the anonymised case discussed here, ACRO said that it would enter the transliterated patronymic in the Other Names field.

Should I submit a new ACRO application?

No, unless ACRO tells you to do so. Reply to the existing email, keep the reference number in the subject line and provide the requested information within the same case.

How quickly will ACRO continue after I reply?

ACRO controls the timing. A clear reply may prevent further questions, but no adviser can guarantee an immediate response. For a Premium application, ACRO resumes the official processing period after it receives the information it needs.

Can Ginkgo Advisory apply for the ACRO certificate for me?

Yes. After we receive the required identity information, documents and authority, we can manage the ACRO application and arrange the apostille after ACRO issues the certificate.

Can I apply myself and send the certificate directly to Ginkgo Advisory?

Yes. You can submit your own ACRO application and use our London office as the certificate delivery address after you obtain the correct details from us. We can then arrange the apostille when the original arrives.

Can an ACRO Police Certificate receive an e-Apostille?

No. GOV.UK excludes ACRO Police Certificates for England and Wales from the e-Apostille route. You need a physical paper apostille.

Does the 2-working-day apostille service include ACRO processing and courier delivery?

No. Our two-working-day period starts after our London office receives the eligible original certificate. ACRO processing, postal delivery, embassy legalisation and final courier delivery follow separate timelines.

Need urgent ACRO and Apostille assistance?

Ginkgo Advisory offers two routes:

Managed route: We provide ACRO Priority Handling, manage application queries and coordinate the apostille.

Self-application route: You apply directly to ACRO and ask ACRO to send the original Police Certificate to our London office. We then complete our express 2-working-day UK Apostille service.

Ginkgo Advisory operates independently from ACRO Criminal Records Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. ACRO and the relevant government authorities retain full control over their processing times and decisions.