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 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 it 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 create an ACRO account and apply for the ACRO Police Certificate 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 apply to ACRO → 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 both 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
Can You Use an ACRO Police Certificate as a Certificate of Good Character?
You cannot use an ACRO Police Certificate as a certificate of good character or good conduct.
If an organisation asks you for a certificate of good character or certificate of good conduct, you should contact that organisation directly and check exactly what it requires.
This matters because the wrong certificate may delay your application or lead to rejection by the receiving authority.
How Long Is an ACRO Police Certificate Valid?
ACRO does not set one fixed validity period for the Police Certificate.
Different authorities may apply different validity periods. Therefore, you should check the validity requirement with the relevant authority before making your application.
If you previously applied for a Police Certificate, you can request duplicate copies up to six months after receiving the original certificate.
After six months, you will need to submit a new application.
Can You Change Your ACRO Application After Submission?
If you need to change the details on your ACRO application, pay for additional copies or update the delivery details, you should contact ACRO Customer Services.
You should include your ACRO application reference number in any email. If you call ACRO, you should also have the reference number ready.
ACRO states that changes to an application cannot be completed through the portal once the application has been submitted.
Can You Cancel an ACRO Police Certificate Application?
If you need to cancel your ACRO Police Certificate application, you should contact ACRO Customer Services.
You should include your ACRO application reference number in any email and have it ready if you call.
ACRO states that it will deduct a £15 administration fee from any refund.
How Ginkgo Advisory Can Help
Ginkgo Advisory can assist with:
- ACRO Police Certificate application support
- ACRO Police Certificate application on behalf of an applicant
- 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 for you, we can help create a clear route from ACRO application to FCDO apostille.
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