About the Author
Kwok is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Kwok has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every apostille and legalisation case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control.
Kwok Lam
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
If you need an ACRO Police Certificate and then a UK FCDO apostille, Ginkgo Advisory can assist in two practical ways.
You can either apply for the certificate yourself and ask ACRO to send the original certificate directly to our London office, or you can ask Ginkgo Advisory to apply for the certificate on your behalf and then arrange the apostille.
Option 1: You Apply for the ACRO Police Certificate Yourself
You can complete the ACRO Police Certificate application yourself.
During the application, you can ask ACRO to send the original certificate directly to our London office.
Once we receive the original certificate, Ginkgo Advisory can arrange the UK FCDO apostille in 2 working days, where the document is suitable for our express apostille route.
This option may suit applicants who prefer to manage the ACRO application themselves, but want professional support with the apostille stage.
The process is:
You submit the ACRO application → ACRO sends the original certificate to our London office → Ginkgo Advisory arranges the UK FCDO apostille → We return the apostilled certificate to you
Option 2: Ginkgo Advisory Applies for the ACRO Police Certificate for You
If you prefer a managed process, Ginkgo Advisory can apply for the ACRO Police Certificate on your behalf.
After ACRO issues the certificate, we can arrange the UK FCDO apostille for you.
This option may suit applicants who want support with the ACRO application and the apostille process.
The process is:
Ginkgo Advisory prepares the ACRO application → ACRO issues the certificate → Ginkgo Advisory arranges the UK FCDO apostille → We return the apostilled certificate to you
About ACRO
ACRO was founded in 2006 and has grown significantly since then. It now employs more than 300 people.
ACRO’s vision is:
People protecting people — making you safer as trusted global leaders in criminal history information.
Its purpose is to support UK and international law enforcement by securely processing criminal records for public protection, safeguarding and worldwide community safety.
ACRO as Part of the UK Police Service
ACRO is hosted by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
A superintendent from the constabulary acts as Head of ACRO. This gives ACRO its policing powers.
ACRO works with partners in the UK and overseas, including:
- National Police Chiefs’ Council, known as NPCC
- National Crime Agency, known as NCA
- Home Office
- Immigration Enforcement
- Border Force
- Other government departments and overseas agencies
This background helps explain why ACRO Police Certificates are treated as official criminal record documents issued through a UK policing route.
ACRO Governance
ACRO’s work is overseen by a governance board.
The board is independent and chaired by the chair of the NPCC. It includes stakeholder representatives from government, policing, expert members, and representatives from Scotland and Northern Ireland.
ACRO staff are employees of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and are ultimately commanded by the chief constable.
However, ACRO has its own operational focus, which is different from the wider police force.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire hosts ACRO, has a stake in its financial governance and oversees its estate strategy.
ACRO Policies and Procedures
ACRO states that it follows:
- Data protection legislation, including the DPA and UK GDPR
- The national policing Code of Ethics
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary policies and procedures relating to finance, personnel and professional standards
This matters because ACRO handles sensitive criminal record information and applicant identity information.
ACRO and Freedom of Information
ACRO states that it is committed to being open, accountable and transparent.
Its work is subject to Freedom of Information legislation.
Requests for information held within ACRO under Freedom of Information legislation are managed by the NPCC through the National Police Freedom of Information and Data Protection Unit.
Why This Matters for Apostille Planning
ACRO issues the Police Certificate through an official UK policing route.
However, once ACRO issues the certificate, any UK FCDO apostille must be arranged as a separate document legalisation step.
If you apply yourself, you can ask ACRO to send the original certificate directly to our London office. This can help the apostille stage begin more smoothly after ACRO issues the document.
If you prefer a managed route, Ginkgo Advisory can apply for the ACRO Police Certificate on your behalf and then arrange the UK FCDO apostille after issue.
How Ginkgo Advisory Can Help
Ginkgo Advisory can assist with:
ACRO Police Certificate application support
Application on behalf of an eligible applicant
Arranging ACRO Police Certificate delivery to our London office
UK FCDO apostille after ACRO issues the certificate
2 working day UK FCDO apostille, where suitable
Return delivery of the apostilled certificate
Whether you apply yourself or ask us to apply on your behalf, we can help create a clear route from ACRO application to FCDO apostille.
Contact Us
Address
Suite 161, 30 Red Lion Street, Richmond, London
English 
Chinese