Police
Police character certificate in Nigeria: cost and process.
Police character certificate cost in 2026: what makes up the price, what you need, and the step-by-step process with your one fingerprint visit.
A police character certificate — also called a police clearance certificate, police report or criminal-record check — is a statement from the Nigeria Police Force that you have no recorded criminal history. Embassies, foreign employers and emigration authorities ask for it often.
It is one of the more procedural documents to obtain, because it requires fingerprint capture and a check against police records. This guide covers what it costs in 2026, what you need, and how the process runs end to end.
What the certificate is and who accepts it
The certificate is issued by the Nigeria Police Force (through the Criminal Investigation Department) and confirms whether you have a criminal record on file. Nigerian High Commission guidance says it is valid for six months from the date of issue, though some guides give a shorter period, and the embassy or employer asking for it may set its own rule on how recent it must be.
It is accepted, and often required, by:
- Embassies and high commissions for visa and residency applications.
- Foreign employers, especially in healthcare, security and finance.
- Emigration and permanent-residency programmes (Canada, UK, Australia, the Gulf states).
- Some Nigerian employers for sensitive roles.
How much it costs in 2026
There are two parts to the cost: the government processing fee paid to the police, and — if you use a filing service — a service fee for handling the paperwork, booking your fingerprint capture and following up.
Guides put the police fee at ₦30,000, paid online through the POSSAP invoice only, on possap.gov.ng. The police have not published the amount and older reports quote other figures, so confirm it on the POSSAP invoice. The police say you should pay nothing extra at a police formation for fingerprinting or for collecting the certificate.
On Docufy the price is one all-in figure that covers the government fee, our service fee and VAT. There is no markup on the government fee. You see it on the police character certificate page and again before you pay, and it is fixed once you submit. Be wary of anyone who quotes a single vague "settlement" figure and cannot say what it is made of.
What you will need
Have these ready before you start — missing items are a common cause of delay:
- A NIN, BVN or international passport, which the police form accepts as ID.
- Two recent passport photographs.
- The reason for the request (e.g. the visa or job it is for) — some destinations require it to be stated.
- Your fingerprints — captured in person at an approved point (see the process below).
- For some embassies, a covering or invitation letter.
The process, including fingerprint capture
Fingerprint capture is the step that makes this different from a desk filing. Your prints are taken in person, at the police command or formation chosen during the online application, and submitted with your application so the police can run the records check. On Docufy you fill the form and upload your documents on your phone, a vetted partner firm prepares the application and books your capture, and you follow each step until the certificate is issued. The capture is your one visit.
Why it takes longer than most filings
The records check is a manual process across police databases, which is why a character certificate takes longer than most filings. On Docufy, the filing page shows the target time in business days before you start. Starting early matters: most visa and job deadlines do not move, and a rejected or incomplete application sets you back. Common causes are mismatched names across your documents and a missed fingerprint appointment — both avoidable.
For more on police certificates and reports, see our police certificate guides.
Questions
Frequently asked.
How much does a police character certificate cost in Nigeria in 2026?
Guides put the police fee at ₦30,000, paid online on POSSAP; confirm the amount on the POSSAP invoice. A filing service adds its own fee. On Docufy you see one all-in price, VAT included, before you pay, and there is no markup on the government fee.
How long does it take to get?
Longer than most filings, because the police run a manual records check. On Docufy the filing page shows the target time in business days before you start. The police set the final pace, so start well ahead of any visa or job deadline.
Is the police character certificate the same as a police report for a visa?
Yes — "police character certificate", "police clearance certificate", "police report" and "criminal record check" usually refer to the same document for visa and emigration purposes.
Do I have to appear in person?
Yes, once, for the fingerprint capture. On Docufy you do the rest on your phone, and a vetted partner firm books the capture and handles the application, so the capture is your only visit. The form tells you this before you pay.
How long is it valid?
Nigerian High Commission guidance says six months from the date of issue, though some guides give a shorter period. The embassy or employer asking for it often sets its own rule on how recent it must be, so check their requirement before you apply.
Sources
- POSSAP — Nigeria Police Force
- How to Apply for Police Character Certificate, Tinted Glass Permit — Legit.ng (30 Jul 2026)
- Get a police clearance certificate — govserv.ng (TransparencIT)
- Police Check / Character Certificate — Nigeria High Commission, Canberra
Fees and rules last checked 27 Sep 2026. The agency that issues the document has the final word. See our editorial policy.
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