Overseas police clearance
If you have lived overseas for 12 months or more within the last 10 years, you will need to provide and overseas police clearance to gain registration and certification.
On this page
Police clearance requirements
If you’ve spent 12 months or more in any country outside New Zealand in the last 10 years, even if it wasn’t all in one visit, you’ll need to provide a national police clearance certificate from that country. The certificate must cover the entire time you lived there.
If you are required to supply an overseas police clearance with your online application in My Rawa, you will need to supply either a true original copy or a certified copy to the Teaching Council.
Police certificates for overseas applicants
If you currently live outside New Zealand, you must provide a certified copy of your police certificate. Certification must be completed by one of the following:
- a Judge (from the country’s judicial system)
- justice of the Peace
- a Commissioner of Oaths
- a Commonwealth Representative (Ambassador or High Commissioner)
- any person legally authorised to administer oaths for judicial purposes in that country.
Country-specific instructions
| Country | Instructions |
|---|---|
Australia | Request a National Police Check from the Australian Federal Police. Select Code 43 – Overseas Employment (Teaching) |
Canada | Request a Vulnerable Sector Check. If unavailable, a name-based or certified criminal record check from the RCMP is acceptable |
Fiji | Complete the Police Clearance form via the Fiji Police website. Request the certificate be sent directly to Teaching Council, PO Box 5326, Wellington 6140, New Zealand Or email it to overseasclearance@teachingcouncil.nz. |
Ireland | Request a Police Certificate of Good Character from your local Garda station or via the Garda Vetting website. |
Japan | From NZ: Apply via the Police Certificate webpage. From Tokyo: Contact the Tokyo Public Safety Division. |
Elsewhere | Visit your local Prefectural Police Office and request a No Criminal Record Certificate. |
Singapore | Apply for a Certificate of Clearance via the Singapore Police Force website or in person at the CNCC Office. |
South Africa | Request a Police Clearance Certificate from the South African Police Service website. |
United Kingdom | Apply for an International Child Protection Certificate via the official website. |
United States | Request a criminal record from the FBI Identification Division. You may forward the FBI email directly to: sfendorsement@teachingcouncil.nz. Please ensure the email includes your pin verification information. |
Other Countries | Use the New Zealand Immigration tool to find instructions for obtaining a police certificate. |
If a Police certificate cannot be obtained
In rare cases, a statutory declaration may be accepted. This must:
- show evidence of your attempts to obtain a certificate
- confirm you have not been convicted, charged, or found guilty of any offence in that country
- be signed by a solicitor, Justice of the Peace, or notary public.
FAQS
A certified document is an official copy of an original document that has been verified as a true and accurate reproduction. The document(s) you provide must be certified by an official such as a:
- NZ School Principal
- a Teaching Council approved identity referee
- an NZ Centre Manager
- a NZ Justice of the Peace, a Solicitor, a Notary Public
- a Registrar, or the authority who originally issued the document.
The person certifying your document(s) must:
- note on every page the words “certified true copy of the original”; and
- clearly identify and include on the document their:
- full name
- title
- signature
- address and contact number
- official stamp or seal
- certification date.
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