Botswana - Apply for a Police FingerPrint Clearance Certificate

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. A Police Clearance Certificate or Police Criminal Record Certificate is issued by the Deputy Director – Criminal Records Bureau Forensic Science Services at the Police Criminal Record Bureau, Botswana Police Force. Botswana Police Force Office Location and Contact Details.
2. A person applying for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) should first arrange with the local police to allow his/her fingerprints and palm prints to be recorded on a prescribed form.
3. The applicant should then write an application letter explaining why the police certificate is being requested attach all relevant supporting documentation as listed under the “Required Documents” section of this page and submit them to the Deputy Director – Criminal Records Bureau Forensic Science Services office for processing and consideration, which is usually within ten (10) working days.
4. Upon receipt of the application, the receiving officers will check for discrepancies or ineligibility in the application documents. If a discrepancy that cannot be immediately corrected exists in any of the documents, the application and all the submitted documents will be returned to the applicant and should not be re-submitted until the discrepancy has been rectified.
5. Applicants are issued with an acknowledgment letter as proof of submission of the application file and for inquiry referencing if the need arises.
6. The is no service fee associated with the service.
7. The applicant fingerprints and the application shall undergo verification and checked for any criminal record on the Police Criminal Record Bureau database If no criminal record is found the application is approved and a Police Clearance Certificate is generated and made available for withdrawal by the applicant. Where a criminal record is found and not cleared by the police or court of law or where the applicant was found guilty of any crime the application is denied.
8. After the lapse of the processing time, the applicant should check the outcome of his/her request and collect the certificate against his/her identification document and the acknowledgment slip if approved.

Application through a proxy (Organisation that offers such services).

1. Applicants can browse and locate preferable organizations that render such services on their behalf for a fee. The different organization has different procedure methods on how they are to engage in offering this service.
2. For example; some of the organizations will require the applicant to complete a prescribed application form, attach valid power of attorney with one's signature and also provide Documentary proof of legal stay in Botswana.
3. A number of such organizations have labs where the applicant fingerprint impression can be taken, other organizations may request the applicant to arrange with the local police to have their fingerprints and palm prints on the police prescribed form, this form is to be attached to the application file before applying, via the organization preferable submission mode.
4. All application files submitted through such an organization will be forwarded to the Criminal Records Bureau office, in Botswana for processing and consideration.
5. The applicant fingerprints and the application shall undergo verification and checked for any criminal record on the Police Criminal Record Bureau database, If no criminal record is found the application is approved and a Police Clearance Certificate is generated and sent to the specific organization that had applied, to be issued to the certificate name bearer.
6. Where a criminal record is found and not cleared by the police or court of law, or where the applicant was found guilty of any crime the application is denied.
7. The time frame for processing the application varies from one organization to another.
8. Upon receiving the Police Clearance Certificate, the organization shall arrange with the applicant how he/she will collect or receive the certificate.

Abroad application

1. For an overseas application, an applicant should first arrange with the overseas local police to allow his/her fingerprints and palm prints to be recorded on a prescribed form.
2. The applicant should then write an application letter explaining why the police certificate is being requested, attach all relevant supporting documentation as listed under the “Required Documents” section of this page, and submit the application file to the nearest Botswana mission aboard (Embassy/Consulate) office as per the mission preferable application submission mode.
3. The is no service fee associated with the service.
4. Upon receipt of the complete application file, the Embassy/Consulate office shall as soon as possible forward the application to the Criminal Records Bureau office, in Botswana for processing and consideration.
5. The applicant fingerprints and the application shall undergo the verification and be checked for any criminal record on the Police Criminal Record Bureau database, If no criminal record is found the application is approved and a Police Clearance Certificate is generated and returned to the embassy/consulate where the application was filed to be issued/ collected by the client.
6. Where a criminal record is found and not cleared by the police or court of law or where the applicant was found guilty of any crime and charged, the application is denied.

Please Note For Abroad Application:

1. Applicants who want their processed Police Clearance Certificate sent to them by post are advised to attach one of the following to their request(s):
   • A registered self-addressed envelope with the appropriate stamps (letter recommended;
   • A pre-paid envelope from any recognized courier service provider.
2. It should be noted that not all embassies offer the post/mail return service (please consult with the embassy)
3. Applicants can file the application via mail, in some embassies, please confirm with your embassy, if they offer this service since not all embassies offer the service.

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Required Documents

For Citizens, bring the following:

• A set of fingerprints obtained at the nearest Police Station
• Copy of ID (Omang) or passport for persons under 16 years (first 5 pages)
• A letter stating reasons for requesting police clearance

For Non-Citizens, bring the following:

• A set of fingerprints at the nearest Police Station.
• Copy of first five pages of a passport
• Copy of residence permit (where applicable)
• A letter stating reasons for requesting police clearance

For Abroad Application

• Cover Letter (detail where you resided in Botswana).
• Copy of Passport (first 5 pages).
• Copies of Work and Residence permit that the applicant held when he/she stayed in Botswana
• Originally captured DNA fingerprints (not copies).
• A prepaid/self-addressed envelope (where applicable).

Note :The Authority reserve the right to request additional supporting documentation.

Office Locations & Contacts

Botswana Police Force Office
Deputy Director – Criminal, Records Bureau, Forensic Science Services
Private Bag 0400, Gaborone.
Tel: (+267) 3918601
Address: Plot 22117 Gaborone West Industrial. Kgomokasitwa Road.
E-mail: [email protected]
Botswana Police Force Office Location and Contact Details.
Business Hours: Monday to Friday 0730 hours – 1245 hours & 1345 hours – 1630 hours

Eligibility

• In Botswana, a certificate of conduct is issued to Botswana residing in the country, Botswana residing in foreign countries, foreign citizens (who are not aliens or refugees in Botswana), and foreign citizens (who are aliens and refugees in Botswana)

Fees

• No fee is associated with the service.

Validity

• There's is no fixed period for the validity of the good conduct certificate. The validity itself is dependent on whoever is requesting the certificate and so technically the certificate cannot expire. How recent the certificate is will be determined using the date of issuance that is printed on the certificate.
• Generally speaking, most employers require the certificate to be not more than 1 to 3 years old. There are some cases however where the employer may require shorter periods such as 6 months.

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

• Turnaround time for the provision of the Police Clearance is 7 working days, where the application is filed in Botswana.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Instructions

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e.g. The state office holds birth records since January 1908.

Required Information

• Full name and alias(es),
• Date of birth,
• present address and telephone number
• present employment
• Place(s) of residence,
• Purpose of the request
• Passport number( for foreigners)
• Date of residence in Botswana (for foreigners)
• Full address when in Botswana (for foreigners)
• Marital status.
• Father's name, address & occupation
• Date(s) of arrival in/departure from Botswana (for non-nationals)
• A full set of fingerprints was taken by a recognized police authority.
• The application should also include any periods of time spent outside Botswana if the period is six months or longer (for nationals).
• Female applicants must include maiden names and surname(s) from a previous marriage(s).
• Declaration by the applicant

Need for the Document

• The Police Clearance Certificate certifies that the applicant has never partaken in any criminal activity that led to the involvement of the Botswana Police Force.
• A certificate of good conduct means that the particular of the holder has been searched in the criminal records of Botswana, and no criminal record has been traced. The validity of a certificate of good conduct is based on the information provided from the date of issuance of the certificate.

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

• An employer may require a person to provide a valid certificate of good conduct or one that was taken at least three years ago. The certificate of good conduct in Botswana shows that a job candidate is of good morals, behaviors and obeys the law.
• This clearance is needed by those who want to change their country of residence.
• A person may also need a police clearance certificate if he/she wishes to proceed on a post-graduate program in foreign institutions.
• Even as a tourist to another country, a person will need a police clearance certificate to show that he/she doesn’t have an outstanding criminal record back home, and ensure that he/she won’t be a threat to the host country.
• The Police Clearance Certificate is also required when a person applies for an immigration status to other countries.

External Links

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Others

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