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Thai police clearance certificate with an official fingerprint card

Thai police clearance for use in China

Quick answer

Chinese immigration and labour authorities receives the file and expects Simplified-Chinese translation. The certificate is legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and attested at the China mission in Thailand where required.

The legalisation fact

Thailand acceded to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026 and it enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027, so no Thai Apostille is issued yet, so no Apostille is issued in Thailand. A police clearance certificate for overseas use is translated, legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs, and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving authority requires it.

By purpose

Frequently asked questions (38)

How is a Thai police clearance certificate used in China?

Obtain the certificate from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok, translate it to the standard the destination accepts (Simplified-Chinese translation), and then Thailand acceded to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026 and it enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027, so no Thai Apostille is issued yet, so no Apostille is issued in Thailand. A police clearance certificate for overseas use is translated, legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs, and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving authority requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Does China accept a Thai Apostille?

No Thai Apostille is available yet, because Thailand acceded to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026 and it enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027, so no Thai Apostille is issued yet. A document issued in Thailand therefore runs through MFA legalisation and attestation at the China mission in Thailand.

What translation does China require?

Simplified-Chinese translation. The translator signs a statement of accuracy, and the name must match the passport letter for letter.

Which authority in China receives the certificate?

Chinese immigration and labour authorities is the primary receiving body. The receiving body always sets the final format, so confirm its requirements before starting the certification chain.

How does someone already in China obtain the Thai certificate?

Either file through the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in China for fingerprinting and onward transmission, or appoint a representative in Thailand and send a certified fingerprint card.

Must the certificate for China be in English?

The Royal Thai Police can issue in Thai or English as requested, while China expects Simplified-Chinese translation, so choose the version that avoids translating twice.

What if China rejects the document?

Ask Chinese immigration and labour authorities for the reason in writing and fix only that point — a fresh translation, a more recently issued certificate, or the missing certification step. Where the error is ours, we redo the translation at no translation charge.

When must the certificate for China be re-issued?

When Chinese immigration and labour authorities requires one issued within a set window before filing, or when the name changes after issue.

Which certificate set is needed for overseas work visa in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for student visa in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for spouse or partner visa in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for permanent residence abroad in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for naturalisation or citizenship in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for skilled migration in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for overseas professional registration in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for seafarer and aviation employment in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for adoption in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for marriage registration abroad in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for overseas internship or exchange in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for overseas volunteering or work with children in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for employment with a thai employer in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it can be used in Thailand as issued, unless the receiving body asks for more. The receiving body is The employer human-resources department.

Which certificate set is needed for thai work permit file in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it can be used in Thailand as issued, unless the receiving body asks for more. The receiving body is Department of Employment.

Which certificate set is needed for thai permanent residence in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it can be used in Thailand as issued, unless the receiving body asks for more. The receiving body is Immigration Bureau.

Which certificate set is needed for thai naturalisation in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it can be used in Thailand as issued, unless the receiving body asks for more. The receiving body is Department of Provincial Administration.

Which certificate set is needed for security-guard licence in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it can be used in Thailand as issued, unless the receiving body asks for more. The receiving body is Registrar under the security-business legislation.

Which certificate set is needed for firearms licence in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it can be used in Thailand as issued, unless the receiving body asks for more. The receiving body is Firearms registrar, Department of Provincial Administration.

Which certificate set is needed for thai business or operating licence in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it can be used in Thailand as issued, unless the receiving body asks for more. The receiving body is The licensing authority for the business type.

Which certificate set is needed for court or legal proceedings in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated and legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for name change or registry correction abroad in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for overseas driving licence in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for investor or entrepreneur visa in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated, legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs and then attested at the destination mission in Thailand where the receiving body requires it. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

Which certificate set is needed for re-application after expiry of usefulness or loss in China?

The original from The Criminal Records Division, Royal Thai Police, through its Police Clearance Service Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok together with Simplified-Chinese translation; then it must be translated and legalised at the Department of Consular Affairs. The receiving body is Chinese immigration and labour authorities.

What does a thai national inside thailand heading to China prepare?

Thai ID card, house registration and passport (if held), and fingerprints taken at a local police station or at the service centre in pathum wan. The certificate is then translated to Simplified-Chinese translation and legalised through the consular route. The spelling on the application must match the passport used at the destination, letter for letter.

What does a thai national living overseas heading to China prepare?

Thai passport, Thai ID card (if held) and proof of overseas address, and fingerprints taken at the thai mission, or at a local police authority in the form the mission accepts. The certificate is then translated to Simplified-Chinese translation and legalised through the consular route. A power of attorney executed abroad must be certified by the Thai mission before it is used in Thailand.

What does a foreign national residing in thailand heading to China prepare?

Passport with visa pages, work permit (if held) and proof of Thai address, and fingerprints taken at the pathum wan service centre or a police station that prints foreign nationals. The certificate is then translated to Simplified-Chinese translation and legalised through the consular route. The record covers Thailand only; it does not replace a police check from the country of nationality.

What does a foreign national who previously lived in thailand and is now abroad heading to China prepare?

Passport copy, former Thai visa pages and evidence of the period of stay in Thailand, and fingerprints taken by the police authority where the applicant lives, then certified before being sent to thailand. The certificate is then translated to Simplified-Chinese translation and legalised through the consular route. Smudged or low-resolution fingerprint cards are the most common reason this group is sent back.

What does a employer or organisation filing for staff in bulk heading to China prepare?

Company affidavit, an individual power of attorney per employee, and each employee identity set, and fingerprinting is scheduled in batches so the files enter together. The certificate is then translated to Simplified-Chinese translation and legalised through the consular route. Each employee must consent in writing; an employer cannot file without that consent.

What does a minor or applicant filing with a guardian heading to China prepare?

Birth certificate, house registration, guardian ID and the minor passport, and fingerprints are taken before an officer with the guardian present. The certificate is then translated to Simplified-Chinese translation and legalised through the consular route. Some destinations do not require a certificate for minors — confirm the requirement before filing.

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