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Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Dili

Certificate of Clearance

Find out how to apply for a Certificate of Clearance (COC).

Last updated 6 November 2025

A Certificate of Clearance (COC) is issued by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to certify that a person has no criminal conviction within a stipulated period of time of residence in Singapore. Applicants must show documentary proof from the relevant government authority that a COC is required (i.e. for marriage, employment, migration etc.) More information can be obtained from the SPF website at https://www.police.gov.sg.

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.

Applicants who are non-Singapore Citizens

W.e.f. 16 May 2024, non-Singapore Citizens applicants are no longer required to submit an Appeal to Apply for a COC. Applicants may submit online application at https://go.gov.sg/spf-applyforcertificateofclearance using Singpass/FIN number to log in and complete the online application form together with the submission of the required documents. Upon successful submission, the applicant will receive an email notification to send a scanned copy of the 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 station, notary public offices, forensic departments, private fingerprint recorders, post offices, etc)

For non-Singapore Citizen residing in Singapore

Upon successful submission, the applicant will receive an email notification to send a scanned copy of the 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 station, notary public offices, forensic departments, private fingerprint recorders, post offices, etc)

For non-Singapore Citizen residing overseas with Singpass/FIN number

You are required to have your fingerprint impressions 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) and send a scanned copy of the fingerprint impressions via email to the COC office. Upon receipt and verification of your fingerprint impressions, you will receive a digital COC.

For non-Singapore Citizen residing overseas with no Singpass/ FIN number

You are required to 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 NRIC/FIN number. Once received, you may log in to https://go.gov.sg/spf-applyforcertificateofclearance to submit the online application including making payment to process the COC application. you are required to have your fingerprint impressions 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) and send a scanned copy of the fingerprint impressions via email to the COC office. Upon receipt and verification of your fingerprint impressions, you will receive a digital COC.

Applicants can check the status of their application online at https://go.gov.sg/spf-certificateofclearancestatus. Should you have any queries, please submit via https://go.gov.sg/spfefeedback.