Why overseas police certificates are required
The Department of Home Affairs requires overseas police certificates as part of its character assessment for visa applicants. The character requirement applies to most visa types — particularly partner visas, skilled visas, employer-sponsored visas, and citizenship applications. A police certificate confirms whether the applicant has a criminal record in that country. Where the certificate is not in English, the applicant must provide a NAATI-certified English translation alongside the original document.
Which countries require a police certificate?
Every country where you have lived for 12 months or more since your 16th birthday. This includes your country of birth, countries where you studied, worked, or lived temporarily — as long as the total period of residence in that country reaches 12 months. If you have lived in multiple countries, you may need police certificates from each of them. The AFP National Police Check covers your Australian criminal history separately.
many countries — how to obtain your police certificate
Colombia
The correct document is the Certificado Judicial or Antecedentes Penales, issued by the Policía Nacional de Colombia. Applications can be made online through the Policía Nacional website or in person at a Policía Nacional office. Colombians already abroad may be able to request the certificate through the Colombian consulate in their country of residence. The document is issued in Spanish and requires NAATI-certified translation for Australian visa purposes. See our Colombian police certificate translation page.
Chile
The correct document is the Certificado de Antecedentes para Fines Especiales, issued by the Registro Civil e Identificación de Chile. It can be obtained online through the Registro Civil website (registrocivil.cl) or in person at a Registro Civil office. The digital version is accepted for translation. Ensure you obtain the Fines Especiales version — not the standard internal version. See our Chilean police certificate translation page.
Argentina
The correct document is the Certificado de Antecedentes Penales issued by the Registro Nacional de Reincidencia (RNR), operating under Argentina's Ministry of Justice. This is the nationally recognised document — provincial police certificates are not accepted as a substitute. Argentines abroad can apply through Argentine consulates. The document is in Spanish and requires NAATI-certified translation. See our Argentine police certificate translation page.
Peru
The correct document is the Certificado de Antecedentes Policiales issued by the Policía Nacional del Perú (PNP). Applications can be made at PNP offices in Peru or through Peruvian consulates abroad. Ensure the certificate is current — the Department of Home Affairs generally requires certificates issued within 12 months of the visa application date. See our Peruvian police certificate translation page.
Mexico
The preferred document is the Carta de No Antecedentes Penales issued at the federal level by the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR). Applications can be made at FGR offices or through Mexican consulates abroad. State-level certificates may also be required in some circumstances. See our Mexican police certificate translation page.
Venezuela
The correct document is the Antecedentes Penales issued by the Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas (CICPC). Venezuelan nationals outside Venezuela may be able to obtain this through a Venezuelan consulate. If the document cannot be obtained due to circumstances in Venezuela, contact the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent for guidance. See our Venezuelan police certificate translation page.
Ecuador
The correct document is the Certificado de Antecedentes Penales issued by the Ministerio del Interior. Applications can be made online or through Ecuadorian consulates abroad. See our Ecuadorian police certificate translation page.
Does my overseas police certificate need an apostille?
No. The Department of Home Affairs does not require an apostille on overseas police certificates submitted for Australian visa purposes. A NAATI-certified translation of the original document is sufficient. An apostille may be required if you are submitting the document to a foreign government — not for Australian visa purposes.
What if I cannot obtain a police certificate from a particular country?
If it is genuinely impossible to obtain a police certificate from a country — for example, due to the circumstances in that country — the Department of Home Affairs may accept a statutory declaration explaining why the document cannot be obtained. Contact the Department directly or seek advice from a registered migration agent if you are in this situation.