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Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Shanghai

Certificate of Clearance

Information on obtaining a Certificate of Clearance (COC).

Last updated 29 July 2026

A Certificate of Clearance (COC) is a document issued by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to certify that a person has no criminal records in Singapore within a stipulated period of time.

The COC is for overseas-related usage only. It may be requested by a foreign government authority or institution as part of an application process for overseas migration, overseas adoption of a child, overseas employment or business, overseas further education, etc.

The COC is not used for local purposes, e.g. local employment.

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.

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.

Applicants who are non-Singapore Citizens or non-Singapore Permanent Residents

With effect from 16 May 2024, non-Singapore Citizen or non-Singapore Permanent Resident applicants are no longer required to submit an Appeal to Apply for a COC.

Applicants may apply and pay online through the SPF e-services website.

For non-Singapore Citizen or non-Singapore Permanent Resident residing in Singapore, you will receive a notification to book an appointment to have your fingerprint impressions recorded at Police Cantonment Complex, upon payment and submission of the COC application. The COC will be issued to you upon recording of your fingerprint impressions at Police Cantonment Complex.

Block D Police Cantonment Complex
391 New Bridge Road
#02-07/08
Singapore 088762


For non-Singapore Citizen or non-Singapore Permanent Resident residing overseas, you are required to have your fingerprint impressions recorded at an authorised institution in your country of residence (such as police stations) using the Fingerprint Form. Send the digital scanned copy of your fingerprint impressions with information of your name, FIN number and COC Application Number to the COC office via the COC email address (SPF_COC_Office@spf.gov.sg) for submission of fingerprint impressions, as indicated in the email notification.

For more information on Certificate of Clearance, please contact the Singapore Police Force via the SPF online enquiry form.

Legalisation of COC for use in China

For your COC to be recognised for use in China, you will need to obtain the Apostille for your COC from the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL). The Singapore Consulate-General in Shanghai is unable to legalise, authenticate, or translate documents. You may wish to engage a notary public in Singapore to act as your proxy to submit the document to SAL if you are unable to complete the process in Singapore. Please refer to our website to understand more about the notarisation and legalisation process.