If an overseas authority asks you for a “certificate of good conduct”, it usually means they want official evidence of your criminal record status. This may be needed for a visa, residency application, overseas job, citizenship process, adoption, professional registration or volunteering abroad.
The confusing part is that the UK does not issue one single document called a certificate of good conduct for every purpose. Depending on the country and reason for the request, you may need an ACRO police certificate, a DBS certificate, Disclosure Scotland, AccessNI or another form of criminal record check.
ACRO states that its police certificate cannot be used as a certificate of good character or good conduct, and advises applicants to contact the relevant organisation to check requirements if they are asked for one. GOV.UK guidance also explains that ACRO police certificates can be used by people who want to emigrate, travel, need a visa to live or work abroad, or obtain citizenship or residency in another country.
This guide explains what a certificate of good conduct may mean in the UK, which document you may need and when apostille legalisation may be required.
What is a certificate of good conduct?
A certificate of good conduct is a general term used by some overseas authorities to describe a document confirming whether a person has a criminal record.
It may also be called:
- certificate of good character
- police clearance certificate
- police certificate
- criminal record certificate
- criminal record check
- certificate of no criminal record
- background check
- penal clearance certificate
- police check
- judicial record certificate
The exact document required depends on the authority requesting it. In the UK, the correct document is not always obvious from the wording.
The UK does not have one standard certificate of good conduct
Unlike some countries, the UK does not usually issue a single universal “certificate of good conduct”.
Instead, criminal record checks are issued through different bodies depending on the purpose and location.
Common options include:
- ACRO police certificate
- basic DBS check
- standard DBS check
- enhanced DBS check
- Disclosure Scotland certificate
- AccessNI certificate
- International Child Protection Certificate, where relevant
Choosing the wrong document can cause delays. An overseas authority may reject a DBS certificate if it expected ACRO, or reject ACRO if it specifically requested a different type of certificate.
ACRO police certificate
An ACRO police certificate is commonly used for visa, immigration, residency and citizenship applications abroad.
It is often the right document where an overseas authority asks for:
- police certificate
- police clearance
- criminal record certificate
- police check for immigration
- certificate for visa or residency
- overseas police clearance
Police.uk explains that police certificates may be needed for certain emigration or visa applications and directs applicants to ACRO for application details and costs.
However, ACRO specifically warns that a police certificate is not accepted in every country and should not be assumed to be a certificate of good conduct. This is why you should always check the exact wording from the embassy, immigration office or receiving authority.
Basic DBS check
A basic DBS check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
It may be used for general employment, volunteering, onboarding or background screening where a basic criminal record check is accepted.
GOV.UK states that individuals can apply for a basic DBS check themselves, while standard and enhanced DBS checks must be requested through the employer or organisation asking for the check.
A basic DBS may be accepted by some overseas employers or private organisations, but it may not be suitable for visa, immigration or residency applications if the authority asks for ACRO.
Standard and enhanced DBS checks
Standard and enhanced DBS checks are more detailed than a basic DBS check, but they cannot usually be requested by an individual for themselves.
They are used for eligible roles, often involving regulated sectors, professional responsibilities or work with children or vulnerable adults.
An overseas employer, school, healthcare provider or charity may ask for a standard or enhanced DBS certificate. However, if the purpose is visa or immigration, an ACRO police certificate may still be the expected document.
Disclosure Scotland and AccessNI
Disclosure Scotland is used for criminal record checks in Scotland. AccessNI is used for criminal record checks in Northern Ireland.
These documents may be needed if the applicant lives, works or has relevant records connected to Scotland or Northern Ireland, or if the receiving authority specifically requests them.
If the overseas authority simply asks for a “UK certificate of good conduct”, confirm whether they accept DBS, Disclosure Scotland, AccessNI or ACRO before applying.
Certificate of good conduct vs ACRO
Many people assume a certificate of good conduct means ACRO. Sometimes it does, but not always.
ACRO is commonly used for overseas visa, immigration and residency purposes. However, ACRO itself states that its police certificate cannot be used as a certificate of good character or good conduct and advises applicants to check with the organisation requesting it.
This means the safest approach is to ask the receiving authority:
- do you accept an ACRO police certificate?
- do you need a DBS check instead?
- do you require a certificate of good conduct in a specific format?
- does the document need apostille?
- does it need translation?
- how recent must the document be?
Getting written confirmation can help avoid delays.
Certificate of good conduct vs DBS
A DBS certificate and a certificate of good conduct are not automatically the same thing.
A DBS check is mainly used for employment and safeguarding purposes in England and Wales. ACRO is often used for overseas immigration and police clearance purposes.
For example:
- a foreign school may ask for an enhanced DBS certificate for safeguarding
- an immigration authority may ask for an ACRO police certificate
- an overseas employer may accept a basic DBS
- a professional regulator may specify the exact document it wants
The purpose matters as much as the wording.
When you may need a certificate of good conduct
You may be asked for a certificate of good conduct for:
- visa applications
- residency applications
- citizenship applications
- overseas employment
- teaching abroad
- healthcare roles abroad
- childcare or nanny positions
- volunteering abroad
- professional registration
- adoption or fostering procedures
- immigration applications
- work permits
- university or training programmes
- government licensing
- overseas company or directorship checks
Each authority may have its own rules about the type of certificate, age of certificate and legalisation requirements.
Does a certificate of good conduct need apostille?
A UK criminal record document may need apostille if it is being used outside the UK and the receiving authority requires legalised documents.
The UK Legalisation Office checks whether the signature, stamp or seal on a document matches its records. If it does, it legalises the document by attaching an apostille.
For some criminal record checks, solicitor certification may be needed before apostille, especially if the document is a copy, digital certificate, printout or does not have a signature the FCDO can verify directly.
ACRO apostille
An ACRO police certificate is often apostilled for overseas use.
This may be required for:
- visa applications
- residency
- citizenship
- immigration
- overseas employment
- professional registration
- adoption
- long-term relocation
Before applying for apostille, check whether the receiving authority needs the original ACRO certificate, a certified copy, translation or embassy legalisation after apostille.
DBS apostille
A DBS certificate may also need apostille if it is being used abroad.
This may apply to:
- teaching roles abroad
- healthcare work overseas
- childcare roles
- international volunteering
- professional registration
- employer background checks
- adoption or safeguarding procedures
DBS certificates often need solicitor certification before apostille, depending on the format and legalisation requirements.
How recent should the certificate be?
Many overseas authorities require criminal record documents to be recent.
Common requirements include certificates issued within:
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 12 months
The apostille itself does not make an old criminal record certificate current. If the receiving authority requires a recent certificate, an older apostilled document may still be rejected.
Before legalising a criminal record certificate, ask the recipient how recent it must be.
Translation requirements
If the certificate will be used in a non-English-speaking country, a certified translation may be required.
The correct order depends on the receiving authority. Some authorities want the criminal record certificate apostilled first and then translated. Others may require the translation itself to be certified, sworn, notarised or legalised.
Before arranging translation, check whether the recipient needs:
- original certificate
- certified copy
- apostilled certificate
- certified translation
- sworn translation
- translation of the apostille
- embassy legalisation
Embassy legalisation after apostille
If the destination country accepts apostilles, the FCDO apostille may be enough.
If the country does not accept apostille alone, the certificate may need embassy or consular legalisation after apostille.
The process may include:
- obtaining the correct criminal record certificate
- solicitor certification, if required
- FCDO apostille
- embassy or consular legalisation
- certified translation, if required
This can add time, so check the destination country requirements early.
Common mistakes to avoid
Common mistakes include:
- assuming “certificate of good conduct” always means ACRO
- applying for DBS when ACRO is required
- applying for ACRO when the authority asked for DBS
- using a basic DBS when an enhanced DBS is required
- submitting an old criminal record certificate
- forgetting apostille legalisation
- sending a digital printout without certification
- translating the document before checking the correct order
- ignoring embassy legalisation requirements
- assuming one country’s rules apply everywhere
These mistakes can delay visa, work, residency or professional registration applications.
How to prepare a UK certificate of good conduct for overseas use
The process usually works as follows.
1. check the exact wording
Ask the overseas authority which UK document they accept: ACRO, DBS, Disclosure Scotland, AccessNI or another certificate.
2. apply for the correct certificate
Use the official route for the relevant criminal record check.
3. check the certificate details
Make sure your name, date of birth and other details are correct before legalisation.
4. check how recent it must be
Do not apostille an old certificate if the authority requires a recent document.
5. arrange certification if needed
If the document cannot be apostilled directly, arrange solicitor or notary certification.
6. submit for FCDO apostille
Once prepared correctly, the certificate can be legalised for overseas use.
7. arrange translation or embassy legalisation
Complete any extra steps required by the destination country.
How we can help
We can help prepare UK criminal record documents for overseas use.
Our service can include checking whether ACRO, DBS, Disclosure Scotland or AccessNI is likely to be required, advising whether solicitor certification is needed, submitting the document for FCDO apostille, and helping with translation or embassy legalisation where required.
If you have been asked for a certificate of good conduct, send us the exact wording from the overseas authority and the destination country. We can help identify the safest document route before you apply for the wrong certificate.