Révisé par ThaiLawOnline, un cabinet d'avocats thaïlandais agréé exerçant en Thaïlande depuis 2006. Avocate thaïlandaise en charge du dossier : Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., licence du barreau thaïlandais 3149/2556.
Dernière mise à jour le 5 septembre 2026
A certificat de police (หนังสือรับรองความประพฤติ, nangsue raprong khwam praphruet, also called a Thai criminal record check ou certificate of good conduct) is the document issued by the Royal Thai Police confirming whether the applicant has a conviction registered in Thailand’s criminal records. It is issued by the Police Clearance Service Centre of the Special Branch Bureau in Bangkok, in English, and is requested by foreign immigration authorities, employers, adoption agencies and professional bodies from anyone who has lived in Thailand. Thai authorities ask for the equivalent from the home country for permanent residence and citizenship.
Table des matières
What the certificate is and what it shows
The check is run against the central criminal records database held by the Criminal Records Division of the Royal Thai Police, using the applicant’s fingerprints and passport details. The certificate states either that no criminal record was found or lists the conviction. It reports convictions by a Thai court; an arrest that ended without prosecution, or a settlement fine paid at a police station or at immigration, does not appear. A peine avec sursis is a conviction and does appear.
The certificate has no fixed expiry, but the authorities that ask for it, typically foreign immigration departments and employers, accept it for 3 to 6 months from issue. Because it is issued in English on Royal Thai Police letterhead it is normally accepted abroad without translation, though some countries require it to be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before use.
Where to apply, documents and cost
Applications are made in person at the Police Clearance Service Centre, Special Branch Bureau, 27/40 Soi Vibhavadi Rangsit 27, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210. Bring the passport with copies of the data page, the current visa page and the latest entry stamp, two passport photographs, and any supporting letter that explains the purpose, such as a request from a foreign immigration authority or employer. Fingerprints are taken at the centre. The government fee is 100 baht, unchanged since 2012, and the certificate is normally ready in about a week.
An applicant outside Thailand can apply by post through a representative. The fingerprints must be rolled on the official form at a local police station or embassy and certified, and the applicant signs a procuration for the person who files and collects in Bangkok. Processing by this route runs to about 25 to 30 days after the documents arrive. The common mistake is to send unrolled or uncertified fingerprints, which the centre rejects, or to apply under a name that does not match the passport used during the stay in Thailand.
Thai certificate, home-country certificate and the online check
The Thai certificate is for use abroad or with foreign employers. The reverse document, a police certificate from the home country, is what Thai immigration asks for in a Résidence permanente or citizenship application and what the Teachers Council asks for before licensing a foreign teacher; it must be legalised and translated into Thai. Since July 2026 the Royal Thai Police has offered a name-based online check, but it is limited to Thai nationals and to domestic use and does not produce the English certificate that foreign authorities require. An employer in Thailand cannot obtain a foreigner’s record directly; the applicant must request the check and hand over the result.
Foire aux questions
How long does a police clearance certificate take in Thailand?
About a week when applying in person at the Police Clearance Service Centre in Bangkok, and about 25 to 30 days when applying from abroad by post through a representative, counted from the day the documents arrive. The government fee is 100 baht. Most authorities accept the certificate for 3 to 6 months after issue.
Can I get a Thai police clearance certificate from abroad?
Yes. Fingerprints are rolled on the official form at a local police station or a Thai embassy and certified, and the applicant signs a power of attorney for a representative in Bangkok who files the application and collects the certificate. Copies of the passport, the Thai visa pages and entry and exit stamps are required, together with a letter explaining the purpose.
What does a Thai police clearance certificate show?
Whether the applicant has a criminal conviction registered with the Royal Thai Police, and if so which one. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction and fines settled at a police station or immigration office are not shown. A suspended sentence is a conviction and appears unless the record has been expunged.
Voir aussi : criminal record, legalisation of documents, Résidence permanente, Thai citizenship, and the guides how to get a police clearance certificate in Thailand ET criminal record checks in Thailand.
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