Police Verification Certificate Guide Pakistan
A police verification certificate (character certificate) is needed for jobs, visas, immigration and tenancy. This guide covers how to apply in each province, the documents you need, an editable fee and processing-time estimator, and tips to track your application.
How to apply (by province)
| Province / Area | Where to apply |
|---|---|
| Punjab | Nearest Police Khidmat Markaz, or apply online through the Punjab Police website or mobile app. Token issued on submission. |
| Sindh | District police offices / facilitation centres in Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities; check the Sindh Police website for the nearest point. |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Police Assistance Lines (PAL) and district police offices; online application options available through the KP Police portal. |
| Balochistan | District police offices; apply in person at the police office of your residential district. |
| Islamabad | Islamabad Police facilitation centres and Khidmat Markaz locations; online application available. |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir / Gilgit-Baltistan | District police offices of your home district; carry proof of residence. |
Apply from the district where you currently live or where your permanent address is registered, since the local police station verifies your address.
Steps timeline
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fill the application form. Complete the form at the service centre or online with your name, CNIC number, current and permanent addresses, and the purpose (job, visa, tenancy, etc.). |
| 2 | Submit documents. Hand over your CNIC, photographs and supporting documents from the checklist below. |
| 3 | Pay the fee and collect the token. Pay the prescribed fee and keep the token or receipt number safe; you need it to track and collect. |
| 4 | Police verification. The concerned police station verifies your address and checks for any criminal record or FIR. |
| 5 | Certificate issued. Once verification is clear, the certificate is printed and you collect it from the same centre with your token and original CNIC. |
Document checklist
Tick each item as you prepare it. Your progress is saved on this device automatically.
0 of 0 documents ready
Fee & processing-time estimator
Enter the fee quoted at your service centre and your application date. The estimator totals the cost and shows the expected ready-date range.
Commonly 7-15 working days.
Estimated total fee
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Expected ready between
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Estimates only. Actual processing depends on the police station verification; weekends and public holidays are not counted as working days in the estimate.
Tracking tips
- Keep the token or receipt number issued at submission; it is required to track and collect the certificate.
- Check the status on the relevant police portal or helpline before visiting, to avoid extra trips.
- Bring your original CNIC and the token when collecting the certificate.
- If verification is delayed beyond the expected days, visit the same service centre with your token and ask for the file status.
- For urgent needs (visa deadlines), mention the purpose at the time of application; some centres mark such cases priority.
How to use this guide
- Find your province in the apply table and note the nearest service centre or online option.
- Work through the document checklist and tick each item as you gather it.
- Enter the quoted fee and your application date in the estimator to see the total cost and expected ready dates.
- Save your token number and use the tracking tips to follow up.
Frequently asked questions
Visit the nearest Police Khidmat Markaz with your documents, or apply through the Punjab Police online portal or mobile app. You will receive a token to track the application.
Original CNIC, CNIC photocopies, recent passport-size photographs, and supporting documents matching the purpose, such as an employer letter, job offer, visa invitation or tenancy agreement.
Commonly 7 to 15 working days, because the local police station verifies your address and record. Use the estimator above to calculate ready dates from your application date.
Fees vary by province and service centre. Enter the fee quoted at your centre into the estimator to calculate the total cost.
Yes. Keep the token or receipt number from submission and check the status on the relevant police portal or helpline, or visit the same service centre.