Character document service
Police clearance translation service
This service arranges a certified written translation of the police certificate or clearance you upload. Include every page, outcome statement, issuing authority, issue date, identity field, seal, QR code and annotation. Translation does not make a certificate current, authentic or sufficient for a visa, citizenship, employment or licensing purpose.
After checking the correct certificate and recency rule, upload the full issued record with every page, outcome and official mark visible.
Direct scope
What this service or guide covers
A police clearance can be called a penal certificate, criminal-record extract, good-conduct certificate or similar name. Translate the record actually issued; do not select a document type solely from an informal English label.
Home Affairs separates the question of obtaining a police certificate from the question of translating a non-English document. The country, period of residence, issue date and application pathway can affect whether a certificate is required or considered current.
The translator renders outcome wording exactly as it appears, including ‘no record’, disclosed entries, limitations or search scope. They should not soften, summarise or interpret the legal effect of the result.
Clear roles
Who is responsible for what
| Actor | Responsible for | Not responsible for |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate holder | Obtain the correct issuing-authority certificate, provide the complete record and check the recipient's currency and country rules. | The holder should not ask the translator to remove an entry or change the stated outcome. |
| LodgeHQ | Quote and arrange translation of the uploaded police document through an approved language pair. | LodgeHQ does not obtain police checks, verify criminal history or determine certificate validity. |
| Translator | Translate the full written outcome, identity details, dates, scope, annotations and official marks. | The translator does not interpret character requirements or certify that database searches were complete. |
| Receiving body | Set country, issuing-authority, recency, format and submission requirements and assess the certificate. | Its decision is separate from the accuracy of the translation. |
Before you begin
Requirements and what to prepare
Correct issuing certificate
Use the police or government record requested for the country and purpose, not an informal local letter unless the recipient accepts it.
Every page and reverse side
Search scope, outcome, exclusions, fingerprints, authentication, QR codes and explanatory notes can appear away from the first page.
Identity spellings
Provide passport spellings and any aliases used for the check; the translation must still show what the source says.
Recipient date rule
Check how recent the certificate must be and when it should be obtained; translation does not reset its issue date.
Qualified sequence
How the process works
- 1
Customer or adviser
Confirm the required police certificate
Identify the correct country, issuing authority, search type and recency instruction for the receiving purpose.
- 2
Customer
Upload the full issued record
Include all pages, outcome text, explanatory notes, seals, signatures, QR codes and reverse-side content.
- 3
LodgeHQ
Quote the actual document
The platform assesses the uploaded scope and language direction, using manual review where text or format is unsuitable for automatic handling.
- 4
Approved translator
Translate without interpreting the result
The translator renders the record and any disclosed entries faithfully and certifies their written work.
- 5
Customer or adviser
Check currency and submit both files
Verify that the certificate still meets the recipient's date and country rules and submit the source and translation as instructed.
Quote variables
Price and turnaround factors
The quote or job screen is the authoritative place for the current amount and available timing. This page does not publish an unverified rate, tax treatment, cut-off or delivery guarantee.
| Factor | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate length and attachments | A short clearance and a multi-page criminal-record extract have different translation scope. | Upload the full record, including result explanations and attached entries. |
| Official marks and machine codes | Seals, signatures, QR codes and authentication text may require clear visual capture and descriptive translation handling. | Use an uncropped colour scan at readable resolution. |
| Handwriting or disclosed entries | Manual annotations and dense offence or court details can require manual assessment. | Do not conceal content; provide context and a clearer copy if available. |
| Validity and recipient rules | A translated certificate can still be too old, from the wrong authority or outside the requested search scope. | Check those rules independently before paying for translation. |
Important checks
Acceptance, evidence and limitations
- Verify the country, issuing authority, certificate type and recency rule for the exact recipient or application.
- Include outcome text, disclosed entries, search limitations, explanatory notes and every page without selective omission.
- A translation does not renew, authenticate or validate a police certificate and does not determine character requirements.
- Follow current instructions about submitting the original-language certificate with its translation.
Frequently asked questions
Does translation extend the certificate's validity?
No. The source issue date and the recipient's recency rule remain unchanged.
Can LodgeHQ obtain the police check for me?
No. LodgeHQ translates the document you upload. Use the relevant authority's process to obtain the correct certificate.
Will a translated police clearance satisfy Home Affairs?
Home Affairs decides whether the certificate, country coverage, date and translation meet the applicable requirement. No outcome is guaranteed.
Should QR codes and seals be visible?
Yes. Upload them clearly with all surrounding text, even though the translator does not verify what an external code or seal proves.
Related task paths
Primary sources checked
Official sources support the regulated statements on this page. Recipient instructions can change, so check the source that applies to your exact application or use case.
- Department of Home Affairs — Documents and police certificatesCurrent general guidance on English translations, submitting the original with the translation and the separate role of police certificates.
- NAATI — Check a certificationThe official tool for checking a practitioner's CPN, current status, translator credential and language direction.
Quote police clearance
After checking the correct certificate and recency rule, upload the full issued record with every page, outcome and official mark visible.