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Certificate of Good Conduct: Indonesian Police Certificates and Security Clearances

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One of the requirements in the immigration related process is the necessity of submission of security clearances, a document which certifies that you have no criminal record. This may necessitate obtaining police certificates, or clearances, from each country in which you and everyone in your family, ages 18 years or over, have resided for six months or more since reaching 18 years of age.

Furthermore, in some countries, such as United States, police certificates are required for each visa applicant aged 16 years or older. These certificates are required only if you are doing consular processing or other nonimmigrant visa such as K, and V.They are not required if you are doing Adjustment of Status (I-485) for changing status within the U.S.

This certificate may be required for expatriates who have lived in Indonesia and in the process of applying for a stay/residence permit for other countries such as United States, Canada, and Australia.

Certificate of Good Conduct

Most countries, including Indonesia, issue police clearances. These clearances are sometimes referred to as "Certificate of Good Conduct" or "Certificates of No-Criminal Activity", while Indonesian Police referred to as "Surat Keterangan Catatan Kepolisian (Police Record)" and are usually valid for an average of 6 months.

The policie certificate must be valid at the time of issuance of the visa or other immigration permit. If the police certificate expires before the visa is issued, the applicant will be required to obtain a new police clearance document.

Guidelines for Police Certificates

Immigration offices throughout the world usually impose imperative guidelines for applicants who require Police Certificates. such as.:

1. A Police Certificate, or certificate of "no criminal record" is necessary for every applicant age 18 and older;
2. A police certificate is required from the country where the applicant currently lives, along with all other countries where the applicant has resided in for 6 months or more since the age of 18;
3. The police certificate should be issued by a national police agency where possible;
4. All police certificates must have been issued within the last six months. Outdated police certificates will not be accepted;
5. All police certificates must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted;
6. All police certificates must be accompanied by an original translation prepared by an accredited translator, if they are in a language other than English.

Period of Validity

The police clearance from the country in which you are presently resident is generally considered to be valid for a period of 6 months. The clearance results of countries in which you are no longer residing are generally considered to be valid for a period of 12 months.

When to Submit the Police Certificate?

Some immigration offices may require that the documents be submitted at the same time as the application forms, applicable fees, and supporting documents. Other immigration offices may allow these documents to be submitted later on in the process. For accurate information, you should get specific information from the immigration office where you will submit your application.

How many Police Certificates are required?

The following police certificates are required based on where each applicant lives and has lived previously:

1. If the applicant is living in their country of nationality at their current residence for more than 6 months, and is 16 years old or older, then the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality;
2. If the applicant lived in a different part of their country of nationality for more than 6 months, and was 16 years or older at that time. Then the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality;
3. If the applicant lived in a different country for more than 12 months and was 16 years or older at that time. Then the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality;
4. If the applicant was arrested for any reason, regardless of how long they lived there and what age they were at that time, then the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality.

Supporting Documents for Obtaining Indonesian Police Certificate

In order to apply for an Indonesian police certificate, the applicant or his/her representative(s) must submit the following supporting documents;

1. Copy of valid passport;
2. Copy of Limited Stay Permit (KITAS);
3. Copy of Work Permit;
4. Copy of Police Alien Record (SKLD/Surat Keterangan Lapor Diri);
5. Letter from their previous employer, and other documents related to employment while in Indonesia or letter from the embassy if such letter is no longer possible to be obtained (for the reason the company is already closed down, etc);
6. Three colored photographs size 4 x 6 cm;
7. A full set of fingerprints

The Indonesian police will not issue the certificates to applicants not in possession of a KIMS/KITAS or SKLD. The applicant may authorize a third party to process the certificate from the local police in the city where they used to live.

An Indonesian Police Certificate includes the following personal information:

1. Full Name;
2. Place and Date of Birth;
3. Nationality;
4. Address during your stay in Indonesia. Therefore it is very important if you can provide them with the details;
5. Occupation at present;
6. Period during your stay in Indonesia;
7. Fingerprint formula. In the event that you are unable to appear at the precinct, you need to provide this information. It can be obtained from your local police;
8. The Purpose of Police Clearance. 

In order to avoid hassles and a lengthy process, it is very important that you provide your application with complete information.

Disclaimer: The above is provided for informational purposes only and is NOT to be relied upon as legal advice. This information is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney and should not be construed as a solicitation. No attorney-client relationship is established by use of information found anywhere in this article nor in this website.

Our thanks to Asep Wijaya, Managing Director of Wijaya & Company for his contribution of this article!

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