Application for Certificate of Clearance

ENQUIRIES ON CERTIFICATE OF CLEARANCE

1. Certificate of Clearance (COC)
   
   Introduction
   
   The Certificate of Clearance (COC)¹ is issued by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to certify that the named person has no criminal conviction in Singapore. Applicants must show documentary proof from the relevant government authority that a COC is required (e.g. for marriage, employment, migration etc). More information can be obtained from the SPF website at https://www.police.gov.sg.

2. From 6 January 2025, the application for a COC will be fully digitalised. Successful applicants will receive a digital COC instead of a physical hardcopy.

3. For applicants who are Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or current Foreign Identification Number (FIN) holders residing in Singapore or overseas, they would be required to apply for the COC via Singpass login at https://go.gov.sg/spf-applyforcertificateofclearance by completing the online application form together with the submission of the required documents. Applicants are no longer required to book a fingerprint appointment with the COC office.

4. For applicants who are non-Singapore Citizens or non-Permanent Residents, and previously held a valid Foreign Identification Number (FIN) but not eligible to apply for a Singpass account, they can apply for a COC using their previously held Foreign Identification Number (FIN) at https://go.gov.sg/spf-applyforcertificateofclearance by completing the online application form together with the submission of the required documents. Upon successful submission, the applicant will receive an email notification to send a scanned copy of the applicant’s fingerprint impressions via email to the COC office. The fingerprint impressions should be recorded at an authorised institution in the applicant’s country of residence (such as police stations, notary public offices, forensic departments, private fingerprint recorders, post offices, etc)

5. Applicants should note that if the host government accepts it, applicants could make a Statutory Declaration through a Commissioner of Oath/Justice of Peace that they do not have any criminal convictions in Singapore.

6. Upon approval of the COC application, the applicant will be notified via email (based on the email address provided during the online application process). The email would contain a link for the applicant to have access and download the digital COC via the FileSG portal. Applicants will be able to download and print the digital COC, which can be authenticated through the FileSG portal. The collection of hardcopy COCs at COC office and the application for duplicate copies of the COCs on Singapore Police Force e-Services website will also be discontinued.

7. For applicants who are unable to recall their valid FIN number that was held previously, they may write to the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (for employment pass holders) at mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg or the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) (for student pass holders, Singapore PRs, short-term visitors) at https://www.ica.gov.sg/feedbackform to check on the FIN number. For applicants who wish to apply for a Singpass account can visit https://www.singpass.gov.sg for more information.

8. Processing time for each application is about 5 working days for Singapore Citizens and successfully appealed cases (in the case of non-Singaporeans) upon receipt of completed application with all the necessary documents. Applicants can check the status of their application online at https://go.gov.sg/spf-certificateofclearancestatus.

¹ Formally known as the Certificate of No Criminal Convictions (CNCC), the COC is also known in some countries as Certificate of No Criminal Records, Certificate of Good Conduct or Certificate of Clearance.