Police Character Certificate (Karakter Belgesi), also known in English as a Police Character Certificate or Criminal Record Certificate, is an official document issued in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) confirming whether an individual currently has a criminal or archival criminal record, is not wanted for criminal offenses, or that any previous convictions have already been expunged. It is one of the most commonly required documents for international mobility.
A Police Character Certificate is often required in the following situations:
- Obtaining a visa;
- Applying for a temporary residence permit;
- Applying for a residence permit;
- Obtaining citizenship;
- Employment;
- Admission to an educational institution;
- Background checks for adoption or guardianship;
- Providing evidence in court;
- Marriage registration.
What Is a Police Character Certificate?
The TRNC Police Character Certificate is an official record issued in Turkish and English. It confirms the result of a criminal background check carried out by the police authorities.
The certificate typically includes the following standard statements:
- “THE PERSON WITH THE ABOVE IDENTITY INFORMATION HAS NO CRIMINAL RECORD.”
- “THE PERSON WITH THE ABOVE IDENTITY INFORMATION HAS NO ARCHIVAL CRIMINAL RECORD.”
This means that both active criminal records and archived criminal records are checked and reported in the document. If a criminal record exists, the certificate is still issued and reflects the relevant record status.
Who Can Apply for a Police Character Certificate?
A Police Character Certificate can be requested by:
- TRNC citizens;
- Turkish citizens;
- Foreign nationals who have lived in Northern Cyprus.
There is no minimum residence period requirement. Even individuals who stayed in Northern Cyprus for a short period may apply.
How to Apply for a Police Character Certificate in Northern Cyprus
Applications can be submitted to all district police directorates and police stations across Northern Cyprus.
The application requires:
- TRNC ID card or passport (or passport of the applicant’s country of citizenship);
- Copy of the identity document;
- 2 passport-sized photographs;
- A stamped application fee (damga pulu).
If additional copies of the certificate are requested, each copy requires a separate fee and photograph.
Applications can also be submitted on behalf of another person, provided that a notarized Power of Attorney (POA) is presented together with a copy of the applicant’s identity document.
Processing Time
The standard processing time for a Police Character Certificate is approximately 10 days. There is no fast-track or same-day issuance service. The processing time remains the same for applications submitted from abroad or within Northern Cyprus.
Document Format and Features
The Police Character Certificate is issued in both Turkish and English. It is a formal printed document containing:
- Official police seal;
- Authorized signature;
- QR code or verification number.
The document is issued as an original hard copy. Electronic-only versions are not available. The certificate may be issued multiple times upon request, and all copies are considered original documents.
Archive Criminal Record Check
Applicants may request a standard or extended background check including both criminal and archival records. The certificate may include the following sections:
- Criminal Record Check Results;
- Archival Criminal Record Check Results.
Where no records exist, the document states:
- “THE PERSON WITH THE ABOVE IDENTITY INFORMATION HAS NO CRIMINAL RECORD.”
- “THE PERSON WITH THE ABOVE IDENTITY INFORMATION HAS NO ARCHIVAL CRIMINAL RECORD.”
Common Issues and Delays
The most common issues encountered during the application process include:
Name Inconsistencies
Delays often occur due to:
- marriage-related name changes;
- multiple surnames;
- transliteration differences between passports;
- changes in passport numbers.
These issues are typically resolved by submitting all relevant passports and supporting identity documents showing continuity of identity.
Identity Verification Issues
Foreign authorities may sometimes request additional clarification of identity details, especially when multiple travel documents have been used.
Verification
The Police Character Certificate includes a QR code or verification system. This system allows authorities to:
- confirm the existence of the document;
- verify basic authenticity.
However, it does not allow verification of the content of the certificate itself. QR verification alone is not considered sufficient for most immigration or licensing authorities.
Real-World Application Practice
In most cases, applicants do not travel to Northern Cyprus in person. The typical process is:
- Appointment of a representative through Power of Attorney;
- Submission of documents by a lawyer or agent in TRNC;
- Issuance of the certificate by police authorities;
- Legalization in Turkey (if required);
- Courier delivery to the applicant abroad.
This remote procedure is the most commonly used method for obtaining a TRNC Police Character Certificate.
Apostille on a TRNC Police Character Certificate (via Turkish Notarization)
Since 1985, Turkey has been a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents of 5 October 1961 (“Apostille Convention”).
Because the TRNC is not a party to the Hague Convention, an apostille cannot be placed directly on the original KKTC document. Instead, the document must be authenticated by the Turkish Embassy in Lefkoşa, and then notarized by a Turkish Notary. Once it becomes a Turkish Notarized document, it enters the Turkish legal system and can be apostilled.
In Turkey, documents are apostilled by governors (Valilik) and district governors (Kaymakamlık). The apostille is affixed to the notarized copy, usually taking the form of a special seal. This internationally standardized form certifies the legality of the Turkish notary's signature for presentation in the territories of states recognizing this form of legalization.
(Note: An apostille cannot be affixed to a criminal record certificate issued directly by TRNC foreign representations, as they lack international legal standing. The Turkish notary step is mandatory.)
What is an apostille?
What is an apostille? Why do I need an apostille? How do I get an apostille? - Our video will explain everything you need to know about the apostille. If you have a document that needs to be certified with an apostille for use abroad, Schmidt and Schmidt will assist you! We provide apostille services in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Consular Legalization of a TRNC Police Character Certificate
If the country where the certificate is intended to be used is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention (for example, the UAE or China), a more expensive and complex procedure of consular legalization will be required.
Consular legalization is a multi-step procedure for confirming the authenticity of a document. To carry out the consular legalization of a KKTC Police Character Certificate, the following procedure must be followed:
- Obtain the original certificate in Northern Cyprus;
- Authenticate it at the Turkish Embassy in Lefkoşa and notarize it via a Turkish Notary;
- Legalize the notarized document at the Certification Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey;
- Make an official translation of the document (if necessary);
- Legalize the document at the consulate or consular section of the embassy of the destination country located in Turkey.
Due to the large number of steps, this procedure is lengthy and quite expensive. Some countries do not have consulates in Turkey, and the final stage of legalization may take place in other countries where the consulate is located.
What is consular legalization?
In our video we are explaining what consular legalization is and where to apply for it.
Schmidt & Schmidt will assist you in all issues concerning the legalization.
Schmidt & Schmidt offers legalization in more than 80 countries all over the world.
Official Translation Requirements
Unlike standard Turkish criminal record certificates (which can be issued in 42 languages via e-Devlet), a TRNC criminal record certificate is only issued in Turkish and English.
If the language does not correspond to the country where the document will be submitted, an official translation must be made in accordance with the legislation of the destination country — typically by a sworn, certified, notarized, or court translator. A translation of the certificate made in Turkey (except in cases involving the strict procedure of consular legalization) may not always be accepted abroad, so it is often advised to translate the notarized, apostilled document in the country where it will be used.
Document delivery
After obtaining the physical TRNC criminal record certificate and completing its Turkish apostille certification or legalization chain, it is often necessary to send the document to another country. In such cases, not only speed but also the security of delivery is important, especially when original official documents are involved.
Schmidt & Schmidt organizes international document delivery worldwide. We use reliable logistics solutions and modern tracking systems, which make it possible to monitor the shipment at every stage of transit and ensure its timely delivery to the recipient.
Our specialists provide careful and confidential handling of documents and assist in resolving possible issues arising during international shipping, including carrier requirements and customs clearance procedures. We can arrange the delivery of completed criminal record certificates, apostilled documents, translations, and other official papers to most countries of the world — both for private clients and for legal companies and organizations.
How can we help?
We will be happy to assist you in obtaining a criminal record certificate from Northern Cyprus, including its retrieval via Power of Attorney, notarization and apostille certification through Turkey, and legalization for use abroad, as well as translation and delivery to any part of the world.
You can always contact Schmidt & Schmidt. We have extensive experience in obtaining and legalizing a wide variety of documents and provide all necessary services in this field, including notarized copies, translation, preparation of the required powers of attorney, legalization of documents at government authorities and foreign consulates, as well as delivery of completed documents to most countries worldwide.
You can read more about the legalization and apostille procedures on our website.
