Staffordshire Police

For people who need to obtain a visa for Australia, the Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa or the USA the following procedure should be used (travellers to other countries should still apply for subject access using the process outlined on the Subject Access Provision page).

All travellers to the eight countries named above will need to obtain a Police Certificate from ACRO (the ACPO Criminal Records Office).

ACRO offer two service levels: 'Standard' which costs £35 and takes 10 working days and 'Premium' which costs £70 and takes 2 working days.

Along with copies of identification documents applicants will also need to supply a passport sized recent photograph which will need to be counter-signed by a 'Guarantor' who is not related to you and is a member of one of certain groups of professional persons.

Please note that this Certificate is processed entirely by the ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO). All submissions and enquiries relating to this process should be directed to ACRO, who can be contacted via the ACRO website (where you can also download the application forms) or by telephone on 0845 60 13 999; international callers should dial +44 1962 87 1111 (opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 - 16:30) or by e-mail at customer.services@acro.pnn.police.uk.