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, document preparation and 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
Application Details: Country Selection
When completing a Police Certificate application, ACRO asks you to select the country for which the applicant needs the certificate.
This is usually done through a dropdown list in the online form.
This step matters because the country selected forms part of the application details. If you are unsure which country to select, you should check the receiving authority’s requirement before submitting the form.
Applying on Behalf of Someone Under a Power of Attorney
If you apply on behalf of someone for whom you hold a power of attorney, ACRO requires you to select the power of attorney option from the dropdown list.
You will need to upload a copy of the power of attorney document.
ACRO states that the power of attorney must have been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
If the correct document is not provided, the application may be delayed, cancelled or withdrawn.
If Ginkgo Advisory applies for the ACRO Police Certificate on your behalf under this route, we will need the correct power of attorney document before submitting the application.
Applying as a Legal Representative or Authorised Organisation
If a legal representative, organisation or colleague completes the form on behalf of the applicant, ACRO may require a signed letter of authorisation.
This applies where the applicant has given permission for another person or organisation to apply on their behalf.
The signed letter of authorisation must usually be on headed paper, except where the authorised person is a colleague.
What Should the Signed Letter of Authorisation Include?
ACRO states that the signed letter of authorisation should include the required authority details.
It should include the authorising person’s information, such as:
- Full name
- Address
- Contact details
It should also include the authorised person’s or authorised business’s details, such as:
- Full name
- Address
- Contact details
The letter should include a clear statement of authority.
This statement should authorise the person or business to:
- Submit the application or request to ACRO on the applicant’s behalf
- Contact ACRO, discuss the application, or make amendments and updates on the applicant’s behalf
- See the certificate, disclosure and any information it contains, including criminal history where applicable
The letter should also include:
- The duration of the authority
- The date the letter is signed
- The signature of the person granting authority
If the required information is missing, ACRO may delay the application.
Why the Authorisation Wording Matters
The authorisation letter is not just a short permission note.
It must give clear authority for the authorised person or business to handle the application, communicate with ACRO, make updates and view the certificate or disclosure.
Therefore, if the wording is too narrow, incomplete or unclear, ACRO may not accept it.
If Ginkgo Advisory applies for the ACRO Police Certificate on your behalf, we can help make sure the authorisation route is prepared clearly before the application is submitted.
ICPC Organisation Details
For an International Child Protection Certificate, also known as an ICPC, ACRO asks the applicant to select the country and organisation from the dropdown list.
If the school or organisation does not appear in the dropdown list, the applicant may need to upload evidence such as an offer of employment, registration or contract issued by the school or organisation.
This document should include:
- The applicant’s name
- The name of the school or organisation
- The address of the school or organisation
- A contact email address for the school or organisation
- The date
Although this article focuses on ACRO Police Certificate apostille support, applicants should pay close attention to ACRO’s document requirements if they are completing an ICPC form.
Sending the ACRO Certificate Directly to Our London Office
If you apply yourself, you can ask ACRO to send the original ACRO Police Certificate directly to our London office.
This can make the apostille stage smoother because the original certificate can move directly from ACRO to Ginkgo Advisory.
Once we receive it, we can arrange the UK FCDO apostille in 2 working days, where suitable.
How Ginkgo Advisory Can Help
Ginkgo Advisory can assist with:
- ACRO Police Certificate application support
- Application on behalf of an eligible applicant
- Power of attorney application route support
- Signed authorisation letter route support
- 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.
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