Question
Has anybody any experience of obtaining a Thai clearance Certificate from the Police in Bangkok, Thailand? I know it needs to be legalised and stamped at the Spanish embassy. It’s for a Thai national.
Answers
These are the answers from Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“This was a three step process for us. We got one for me (US citizen living in Thailand) and one for my wife (Thai national).
- Go to Spanish embassy and ask for a letter to the Thai Police about why you need a background check. If you show up to step 2 without this letter they will show you a sample and instruct you to go get it at the Spanish embassy (this is what happened to us). The embassy will prepare it for you that day and give it to you on the spot. Don’t need to make an appointment.
- Go to Thai Royal Police Station across from Central World in Bangkok and request the criminal check. They will take your fingerprints and submit the application. It takes about three weeks to get it back in the mail. Don’t need to make an appointment. Just show up.
- After you receive it in the mail, bring it to Thai Foreign Ministry office in Central World for verification stamp. This takes about 2-3 days for them to stamp it and then you can go and collect the final stamped copy. I believe we needed to make an appointment online for this step but was easy to do.
Then the normal procedure of getting it translated to Spanish with any of your other documents. Ours were written in English (not Thai), so we could use our English to Spanish translator. Not sure if we especially requested it to be in English or not, so maybe ask during Step 2 if you prefer it to be in English.”
“Thank you for this – very useful. We are travelling to Bangkok from the UK on Thursday and will apply on Friday. I am wondering why they need a certificate from the Spanish embassy. It’s for a Thai national only resident in the UK.”
“Not sure why they wanted this. It is basically a one/two sentence letter from the Spanish embassy stating something like ‘a criminal background check is required by the Spanish government to apply for the NLV’. You can attempt to go straight to step 2 if you’d like, but was giving the full process that happened to us. They made us go get this letter from the embassy. Luckily, you can get the letter on the spot and don’t have to wait several days for it.”
“We managed to order the certificate with a copy of an email from my Spanish lawyer stating that we are applying for a NLV. Wait time is 1 week if you pay 2000 Baht extra.
You mention Central World for a stamp. Is that for legalisation/apostille? I heard it was in a different location. Is there anything else to do at the embassy? My lawyer said it needs stamping once translated.”
“No problem! We went to our BLS appointment with no stamps on the Thai criminal certificate. At the appointment they told us we were missing the Thai Foreign Ministry stamp. This stamp verifies the certificate to be able to be used for international purposes (visa application). We made the online appointment and went that same day to request the stamp at CentralWorld. We then submitted the stamped/translated copy to BLS and they accepted it. They didn’t mention anything about needing an additional stamp from an embassy.
The CentralWorld Thai Foreign Ministry office is a new satellite office I believe. It’s on 6th floor behind the kiddie playgrounds/learning centers. My wife said in the past you needed to go to a farther away office in a big government building. Maybe that government building is the address you were given. CentralWorld worked fine for us and the stamped certificate was accepted.”
“Realizing that maybe you are not applying at Bangkok BLS? Maybe that is a reason your lawyer is mention an additional stamp? We applied here in Bangkok.”
Conclusion
Community members explained that obtaining a Thai police clearance certificate in Bangkok for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa involves several steps. These include first obtaining a support letter from the Spanish embassy, then applying for the background check at the Thai Royal Police, and finally legalising the certificate at the Thai Foreign Ministry.
The process can take around three weeks unless applicants pay an express fee, which can reduce the waiting time. Certificates are often issued in English, making translation into Spanish easier. Verification with the Thai Foreign Ministry stamp is crucial, as this is required for international use.
While some applicants reported being asked for additional embassy stamps, others had their documents accepted without them. Overall, preparation and ensuring the proper legalisation process in Bangkok is essential for successfully using the certificate for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa. This article is based on personal opinions from the Spainguru community and is not legal advice.
FAQ:
Where exactly do I apply in Bangkok?
Go to the Royal Thai Police Headquarters in Bangkok. Current guidance points applicants to the Police Clearance Service at the main HQ complex; staff on site will direct you to the correct building/booth for police checks. Watch the queue screens and follow the booth numbers as your ticket is called.
Do I need an appointment?
Usually no for the police check itself—you take a ticket and wait to be called. For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) legalisation, you may need to book online before you go.
What documents should I bring?
Bring passport photo page copies (all passports if you have more than one), Thai visa pages and entry/exit stamps, work permit (if applicable), and any forms the police require (they can be downloaded in advance). Extras that sometimes help: TM30, TM6, and your latest 90-day report.
Will they take fingerprints and a photo on the day?
Yes. Fingerprints and a quick photo are taken during the visit. Pro tip: carry wet wipes or tissues for cleaning ink after fingerprinting.
How long does the process take at the police office?
The in-person application can be quick—often under an hour once you’re called—but allow a couple of hours in case it’s busy.
What is the fee for the police certificate?
Expect a modest fee payable at the counter. If you choose postal return within Thailand, there’s a small additional postage charge.
How long until I receive the certificate?
Standard processing is typically around three weeks. Some applicants report an optional express lane (with an extra fee) that can reduce the wait to about a week.
In what language is the certificate issued?
Certificates are often issued in English. If you need it in English for translation into Spanish later, ask at the counter when you apply.
Do I need to legalise the certificate for use abroad (e.g., Spain NLV)?
Yes. Get the MFA legalisation stamp in Bangkok so the document is valid for international use. Many applicants use the MFA satellite office located at CentralWorld; book online if required.
Do I also need a letter from the Spanish Embassy?
Some applicants were asked by Thai Police to provide a short letter from the Spanish Embassy stating the certificate is required for a visa application. Others were accepted with a lawyer’s email explaining the need. If in doubt, obtain the embassy letter first—it’s quick to issue.
Do I need an additional embassy stamp after translation?
Experiences vary. Several applicants had their MFA-legalised and Spanish-translated certificate accepted without an extra embassy stamp, while some lawyers still request it. Follow the checklist for your specific consulate/BLS center.
Can I mail the certificate to my address instead of collecting it?
Yes, within Thailand. There’s a small postage fee; you’ll fill out an addressed envelope at the counter.
What if I’m applying from outside Thailand?
Procedures differ. You’ll typically submit fingerprint cards and documents by post via the Police Clearance Service Centre. Check the official instructions for overseas applicants.
How long is the Thai police certificate valid?
Thailand indicates a short formal validity period, but many foreign authorities accept it for several months. Check the receiving authority’s rule and time your application accordingly.
Any common pitfalls to avoid?
Not bringing copies of every relevant passport/visa page is a frequent issue. Another is forgetting the MFA legalisation before submitting to your consulate/BLS. Also confirm opening hours—special closures and holidays can catch people out.
Does the location inside the police HQ change?
Internal desks and building numbers can change over time. Upon arrival, ask security for the Police Clearance desk and follow the ticket screens.
If I’m applying specifically for the Spain Non Lucrative visa, anything extra?
Bring evidence that the certificate is required (embassy letter or lawyer email), get the MFA legalisation, and arrange a certified Spanish translation. Some BLS centers accept English-issued certificates once properly legalised and translated.
Can I speed things up?
Aside from any official express option (if available), the best “speed hack” is preparation: pre-fill forms, bring complete copies, and book the MFA slot ahead of time.
Is the process child-friendly?
The HQ is a busy government building. Plan your visit during quieter hours and bring what you need to keep kids comfortable during waits.
Any last-minute tips?
Arrive with extra photocopies, a pen, small cash for fees, and wipes for fingerprints. Check opening hours before traveling, especially near public holidays.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article and FAQ is based on personal experiences shared by community members and general research about the police clearance process in Thailand. Procedures, requirements, and locations may change without notice, and individual consulates or authorities may apply different rules.
This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. For official guidance on your specific case, please consult the Royal Thai Police, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Spanish consulate/BLS center handling your visa application.
