Certificate-of-Clearance

A Certificate of Clearance (COC) is issued by the Criminal Investigation Department to certify that a person has no criminal conviction within a stipulated period of time of residence in Singapore. More information can be obtained from the SPF website at https://www.spf.gov.sg. The Singapore Embassy in Hanoi is not authorised to issue such certificates.

From 6 January 2025, the application for a COC will be fully digitalised. Successful applicants will receive a digital COC instead of a physical hardcopy.

For applicants who are Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents of current Foreign Identification Number (FIN) holders residing in Singapore or overseas, they would be required to apply for the COC via Singpass login at https://go.gov.sg/spf-applyforcertificateofclearance by completing the online application form together with the submission of the required documents. Applicants are no longer required to book a fingerprint appointment with the COC office.

For applicants who are non-Singapore Citizen or non-Permanent Residents, and previously held a valid Foreign Identification (FIN) but not eligible to apply for a Singpass account, they can apply for a COC using their previously held FIN at https://go.gov.sg/spf-applyforcertificateofclearance by completing the online application form together with the submission of the required documents. Upon successful submission, the applicant will receive an email notifcation to send a scanned copy of the applicant’s fingerprint impressions via email to the COC office. The fingerprint impressions should be recorded at an authorised institution in the applicant’s country of residence (such as police stations, notary public offices, forensic departments, private fingerprint recorders, post offices, etc).

Applicants should note that if the host government accepts it, applicants could make a Statutory Declaration through a Commissioner of Oath/Justice of Peace that they do not have any criminal convictions in Singapore. The Embassy does not provide fingerprint recording services. Applicants may make an appointment with the United Nations House at 304 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh District to take fingerprint impressions. 

Upon approval of the COC application, the applicant will be notified via email (based on the email address provided during the online application process). The email would contain a link for the applicant to have access and download the digital COC via the FileSG portal. Applicants will be able to download and print the digital COC, which can be authenticated through the FileSG portal. The collection of hardcopy COCs at COC office and the application for duplicate copies of the COCs on Singapore Police Force e-Services website will also be discontinued.

For applicants who are unable to recall their valid FIN number that was held previously, they may write to the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (for employment pass holders) at mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg or the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) (for student pass holders, Singapore PRs, short-term visitors) at https://www.ica.gov.sg/feedbackform to check on the FIN number. For applicants who wish to apply for a Singpass account can visit https://www.singpass.gov.sg for more information.

If Missions receive queries on COC, including appeals for hardcopy application (e.g. from Singaporean prisoners), Mission may write in to or direct the applicants to submit queries via https://go.gov.sg/spfefeedback.

Processing time for each application is about 5 working days for Singapore Citizens and successfully appealed cases (in the case of non-Singaporeans) upon receipt of completed application with all the necessary documents. Applicants can check the status of their application online at https://go.gov.sg/spf-certificateofclearancestatus.