Overseas police clearance
If you've lived overseas for 12 months or more within the last 10 years, you'll need to provide an overseas police clearance as part of your application for teacher registration or certification.
On this page
Strengthening the overseas police clearance process
The Teaching Council has introduced a new way of verifying overseas police checks to strengthen the integrity of the registration process.
For most countries, police checks are now verified through AIS International, which works directly with government and judicial authorities to verify police information.
This helps us:
- strengthen the integrity of the registration process, reduce fraud, and enhance child safeguarding by ensuring the reliability and authenticity of registration information and identity verification processes
- verify police information directly with issuing authorities
- improve processing times
- simplify the application process by removing the need for separate certified copies and, in many cases, translations, making the process more efficient for teachers.
These arrangements are currently being trialled until 4 December 2026.
How to obtain your overseas police clearance
If you've lived in another country for 12 months or more within the last 10 years (even if it wasn't all in one visit), you'll need to provide a national police clearance from that country.
Your police clearance must cover the entire period you lived in that country.
Most countries
For most countries, you'll apply through AIS International.
AIS International verifies police checks directly with the issuing authority on behalf of the Teaching Council.
Applicants pay AIS International directly for this service. The Teaching Council does not charge a fee or receive any payment.
For many applicants, this means fewer steps, with certified copies and translations included where required.
Apply for an overseas police check with AIS International
Canada, United Kingdom and United States of America
If you've lived in Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, you'll need to obtain a specific police certificate directly from the issuing authority.
Canada
Request a Vulnerable Sector Check. If this isn't available, a name-based or certified criminal record check from the RCMP is also acceptable. Criminal Records Check | Royal Canadian Mounted Police
United Kingdom
Apply for an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) via the official website.
If you need a supporting letter, please contact us.
United States of America
Request a criminal record from the FBI Identification Division.
You may forward the FBI email directly to sfendorsement@teachingcouncil.nz. Please ensure your PIN verification information is included.
If you already have a police certificate
If you've already obtained a police certificate from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, or another country not supported by AIS International, you'll need to provide a certified copy (or the original certificate).
Certification must be completed by one of the following:
- a judge (from the country's judicial system)
- a Justice of the Peace
- a commissioner of oaths
- a Commonwealth representative (ambassador or high commissioner)
- another person legally authorised to administer oaths for judicial purposes in that country.
If you obtained your police certificate before the AIS pilot began and have questions about whether it can still be used, please contact your registration officer.
If you can't obtain a police certificate
In rare circumstances, we may accept a statutory declaration instead.
The statutory declaration must:
- show evidence of your attempts to obtain a police 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
The Teaching Council has strengthened the way overseas police checks are verified to support robust good character assessments and maintain confidence in teacher registration.
This will strengthen integrity, reduce fraud and enhance child safeguarding by improving how police vetting information is verified. It will help ensure that only appropriately vetted individuals are able to obtain and maintain teacher registration in New Zealand.
Verifying police information directly with issuing authorities also helps improve processing times and makes the application process simpler for many applicants.
AIS International is a New Zealand Ministry of Justice-accredited provider that verifies police information directly with government and judicial authorities on behalf of the Teaching Council.
We're using AIS International as part of a pilot to evaluate a more secure and efficient way of verifying overseas police checks.
No. Applicants have always been responsible for obtaining and paying for overseas police clearances.
No. Applicants pay AIS International directly for the verification service. The Teaching Council does not receive any payment from these fees.
No. These requirements only apply if you've lived outside New Zealand for 12 months or more within the last 10 years and are required to provide an overseas police clearance.
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 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.
No, you won't need to provide another police certificate if you haven't lived overseas since the police certificate was issued. You can indicate this on the online application form that you have already provided it to the Teaching Council.
The current arrangements are being trialled until 4 December 2026. The Teaching Council will evaluate the pilot and undertake a procurement process before making any decisions about longer-term arrangements.
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