How to obtain a police certificate

Ireland, Republic of

Do I need to provide a police certificate when applying for permanent residence?
Yes.

How and where do I obtain one?

If you live in the Republic of Ireland
You should apply in person at the local Garda Síochána Station (police). You must present:

• your full name;
• your date and place of birth;
• your current and all previous Irish addresses;
• the purpose of the request (e.g., for a visa application to the Canadian High Commission); and
• a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

You can get more information on this website: http://www.garda.ie/.

Note: You may have a representative who can apply on your behalf. The representative must present a witnessed statement indicating your consent to the release of information.

If you live outside the Republic of Ireland
If you live outside the Republic of Ireland, you must apply in writing (by post) to the superintendent who is in charge of the district covering your area of residence when you were living in the Republic. You must provide:

• your full name;
• your date and place of birth;
• your current and all previous Irish addresses;
• the purpose of the request (e.g., for a visa application to the Canadian High Commission); and
• a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

If you do not know the address, write to the Garda Síochána Station with the name of the town and the county of previous residence. The request will be forwarded to the District Superintendent.