Getting an ACRO Police Certificate Apostilled

If you are applying for a visa, a job or residency overseas, you may have been asked for an ACRO Police Certificate with an "apostille". It sounds technical, but the process is straightforward once you know the order things happen in.

This is a plain-English guide to what an ACRO certificate is, why it usually needs an apostille to be accepted abroad, and how to get that done without delays.

What is an ACRO Police Certificate?

ACRO stands for the ACRO Criminal Records Office, a UK policing body. A Police Certificate is an official document that states whether or not there is any relevant criminal record information held about you on UK police systems. It will either confirm that no information is held, or set out the relevant details.

ACRO Police Certificates are designed specifically for use outside the UK, for immigration, visa, residency or citizenship applications. They are different from a DBS check, which is used for employment within the UK. The certificate covers police records for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland is dealt with separately).

You apply directly to ACRO through its online portal. ACRO offers a standard service and a faster premium service; the fees and processing times are set by ACRO and change from time to time, so always check the current figures on ACRO's own website before you apply.

When is an apostille needed?

Many countries will not accept a UK document at face value. They want confirmation that it was signed or sealed by a genuine UK public official. That confirmation is an apostille: an official certificate, issued in the UK by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office, confirming that the signature, stamp or seal on your document is authentic.

The apostille works because of an international treaty: the 1961 Hague Convention, which abolished the older, slower system of consular legalisation and replaced it with a single apostille certificate. It is recognised across 129 contracting countries (as of late 2025), so an apostille issued in the UK is accepted by all of them.

In practice, you will typically be asked for an apostilled ACRO certificate when emigrating to or seeking a visa for countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, South Africa and many others. Always confirm the exact requirement with the authority or embassy you are dealing with, as wording and expectations differ from country to country.

Does it have to be the original ACRO certificate?

For an ACRO Police Certificate, the FCDO works from the original certificate issued by ACRO, not a photocopy or scan. Because ACRO is a recognised UK authority, the certificate can usually go straight to the FCDO; it does not need a solicitor or notary to certify it first.

One practical point worth knowing: ACRO Police Certificates for England and Wales cannot be processed as an electronic "e-apostille". They must go through the FCDO's paper-based service. So plan for a physical document moving by post or courier, rather than an instant digital turnaround.

The process and how long it takes

There are two stages, and it helps to keep them separate in your mind:

• Stage one: get the certificate. Apply to ACRO and wait for your original Police Certificate to arrive. Timescales depend on whether you choose ACRO's standard or premium service.
• Stage two: get it apostilled. Send the original certificate to the FCDO Legalisation Office, which checks it and attaches the apostille.

The FCDO's standard postal apostille service costs £45 per document plus return postage or courier, and is usually completed in up to around 15 working days, plus delivery time. A faster next-working-day service is available, but at the time of writing it is offered to registered businesses only, which is one reason many people use a professional service to submit on their behalf.

This is general guidance, not formal legal advice. Requirements vary by destination country, so confirm the specifics with the relevant authority or with us before you apply.

How Pegasus can help

We handle the apostille stage for you. You send us your original ACRO Police Certificate, and we submit it to the FCDO, track it and return it to you securely. Our apostille service starts from £59, with most documents ready in around 3 to 7 working days, depending on the service you choose, considerably quicker than posting it in yourself.

If you also need a sworn or certified translation of the certificate for the destination country, we can arrange that too, so the whole bundle is ready to submit.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a solicitor or notary to certify my ACRO certificate first? Usually no. As an ACRO certificate is issued by a recognised UK authority, it can normally go straight to the FCDO for the apostille without prior notarisation.

Can I use a photocopy of my ACRO certificate? For the apostille, the FCDO works from the original ACRO certificate. Keep the original safe and send that, not a copy.

Will one apostille be accepted in any country? An apostille is accepted by all countries that are party to the 1961 Hague Convention. If your destination is not a member, a different (consular) legalisation route may apply. Ask us and we will advise.

How quickly can it be done? The FCDO's standard service usually takes up to around 15 working days. Through Pegasus, most ACRO apostilles are ready in about 3 to 7 working days, depending on the service you choose.

Get in touch

If you have your ACRO Police Certificate in hand and need it apostilled quickly, we can take it from here. Call us on 07982 303 077, email info@pegasusnotaries.com, or visit us by appointment at 11A Kilmersdon Road, Bristol BS13 9NQ.

Sources

• Get your document legalised: Overview, GOV.UK
• ACRO Criminal Records Office, Police Certificates
• Police check for immigration / emigration, Ask the Police
• HCCH 1961 Apostille Convention, full text and overview