ACRO Police Certificates
& Apostille Guides
Practical guidance on applications, apostilles and overseas use. Find the information you need for your next step.
Applications & apostilles
Start with the essentials.
From creating an account to arranging the apostille, explore the questions that arise along the way.
Start here
ACRO & apostille:
a practical guide.
An introduction to the application and apostille stages, with timing and document-handling considerations.
Read the guideApostille arrangements
Send your certificate to London
Using our London address for the original certificate and subsequent apostille arrangements.
Read the guideApplication preparation
Completing your address history
Preparing address details and working through this part of the application.
Read the guideApplication support
Contacting ACRO
Finding customer services details and following up on an application.
Read the guideGetting started
Creating your ACRO account
Setting up an account and starting the online application.
Read the guideApplication preparation
Preparing your photograph
Photograph guidance and common preparation or upload issues.
Read the guideApplication questions
Prosecutions & offence questions
Understanding the questions and approaching the declarations carefully.
Read the guideApplication support
Authorising application support
Authorisation letters and arrangements for assistance with an application.
Read the guideUnderstanding the stages
Who arranges the apostille?
How certificate issue, apostille and further legalisation fit together.
Read the guideOverseas applicants
British passport, no UK residence
Questions for British passport holders who have never lived in the UK.
Read the guideCountries & visas
Where will your
certificate be used?
Explore guidance for visas, study exchanges and overseas employment.
Spain · Visas
Spain visa applications
ACRO certificates and apostille considerations for applicants in the UK.
Read the guideSpain · Study
University exchanges in Spain
Document preparation for UK students planning an exchange or study placement.
Read the guideAustria · Study
University exchanges in Austria
Police certificate considerations for UK students preparing to study in Austria.
Read the guideMontenegro · Work
Working in Montenegro
ACRO and apostille guidance for UK citizens preparing work-related applications.
Read the guideThailand · Teaching
Teaching English in Thailand
Police checks and document preparation for teaching opportunities overseas.
Read the guideChina · Teaching
Teaching English in China
The Z visa and UK document preparation, including police certificate questions.
Read the guideRequirements can differ by application and receiving authority. Check the current instructions for your intended use, including the certificate’s issue date, legalisation and any translation requirements.
Other languages
Read in your language.
Selected ACRO guidance in Chinese and Tamil.
中文 · Chinese
ACRO 警方证明海牙认证
Sending an ACRO certificate to our London office for apostille support.
阅读指南中文 · Chinese
ACRO 记录披露与 Step-down 模型
An explanation of certificate disclosure and the step-down model.
阅读指南中文 · Chinese
ACRO 申请与海外使用
Accounts, applications, apostilles and preparation for overseas use.
阅读指南Tamil · தமிழ்
ACRO & apostille guide
A Tamil-language guide to police certificates and apostilles for overseas use.
Read in TamilPractical support
Need help with
the next step?
Tell us where your certificate will be used and your deadline. We can discuss application assistance, apostille and any further legalisation.