Hi all

I hope someone can help. I am trying to be organised and apply early for my police certificates via the new system at the Assoc of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO). I have 2 questions.

1. On the ACRO application form it says to list all previous addresses for the last 5 years. However as I understand NVC wants a certificate for every address lived at since age 16. For me that means Ill be missing a few years (ages 16 - 26), is only 5 years now sufficient for NVC?

2. If we do need for addresses going back to the age of 16, should I include university halls of residence? I lived in halls for 2 years but only during term time (i.e. 30 weeks a year) should I include these or just use permenant home address at the time?

Thanks so much in advance for any advice you can give

Just list the address as required by ACPO. You get one certificate the address requirement to to assist in identifying your records if there is more than one person listed with an identical name and date of birth. Or you are not listed but another person with identical details is, that way they can determine it isn't you.

I would use the permanent home address. My SO lived in the UK for 10 years and he included his main residence there on the app. However, he was required to go back to each country he had lived in since the age of 16 for police reports. That was the biggest challenge.

hi chipas,

i was wondering since you are k1 too, did your so get certificates for all countries he lived in no matter how short a period or is there a minimum amount of time before its necersary?


i ask because since 16, i have had one main address in but then in last five years i had to study in france for three months. i have mentioned this on our petition in an extra piece of paper to the question about last five years of residence.

i was still living with mum and dad at time so was still registered there. as i was with my halls too. and i cant for the life of me remember the address as for one month i was living with differents friends (long story, mess up on exchange programs part) and the last two i rented a room from a school tutor. i have explained that i couldnt remeber and further than town and region in the extert too.

does this mean i need to get a police certificate from france too as i'm worried thats gunna be dificult.

thanks Hannah

Hannah --

Have a look here: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/pbcerts.html

In short, no; for periods shorter than 12 months you do not need a police certificate UNLESS it is your home country. Three months in France doesn't require a certificate.

extra extra thanks with a cherry on top elmcitymaven!

thanks for the fast reply, you have just saved me from a load of worry.

and thanks for the link

No probs!