How to Get a Police Clearance Certificate in Sri Lanka

Step 01

Prepare your scans

Scan each document as a separate PDF under 250 KB. Make sure the NIC copy is clear; unclear copies are rejected without notice or refund.

Step 02

Open the online application

Go to the Sri Lanka Police e-services site and start a clearance certificate application. You must finish the form and the payment within 20 minutes, so have everything ready first.

Step 03

Choose New or Renewal

Choose New for a first certificate, or whenever any detail has changed (name, address, NIC or passport number, the period covered). Choose Renewal only for a copy of a certificate issued in the last year; the only thing you can change is the embassy address.

Step 04

Fill in your details in English capitals

For a New application, fill in the form in English capital letters (for example BANDARA), except your email address. Never use the symbols " # & or $. Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) must be filled in. Fill in the following fields.

• Left Sri Lanka permanently before 16: answer Yes only if this applies to you
• NIC No.: your old 9-digit NIC number with the letter V or X, entered twice
• New NIC No.: your 12-digit NIC number, entered twice, if you have the new card
• Passport No.: your passport number, entered twice
• Country and embassy: select the country the certificate is for, then the embassy, high commission or consulate from the list (for example Embassy of Romania – Colombo). If it is not listed, select Other and type its name and address.
• Sex: Male prints Mr. and Female prints Ms. before your name on the certificate
• Status: married, unmarried or Rev. (Rev. prints Rev. before your name)
• Names: in full, exactly as they appear on your NIC and on your passport. If your passport name was changed on the Alterations and Observations page, enter the changed name.
• Name to print: NIC prints your NIC number and the name on it; Passport prints your passport number and the name on it
• SLBFE referral: Yes sends the certificate to the Bureau through Police Headquarters (upload the Bureau's letter); No posts it to your home

Step 05

Add every address you have lived at

For each address, enter the police area and the dates you lived there, then click Add. Only the periods you add are printed on the certificate. End your present address with "Sri Lanka".

Step 06

Pay and submit

Tick the box to confirm your information is correct, then pay by credit or debit card. Give a phone number and email you check; the Clearance Branch contacts you by email or WhatsApp if there is a problem.

Step 07

Receive the certificate

The certificate is issued in about 14 working days and sent by registered post to the address you gave. If the SLBFE referred you, you can have it sent to the Bureau through Police Headquarters instead.

Step 08 · optional

Or apply on paper if the online system is under maintenance

When the Police's clearance system is under maintenance, you can apply on paper instead of online.

• On police.lk, go to Digital Services, then Police Clearance, and download the application
• Read it carefully and fill in all the personal information it asks for
• Take it to your nearest police station and meet the officer in charge, the Headquarters Chief Inspector or the officer designated for police clearance
• Bring your NIC, passport and birth certificate
• Pay the Rs. 5,000 fee to the designated officer, who gives you a receipt
• Receive the certificate in about 14 working days by registered post, or collect it from the police clearance unit on the 17th floor of Suhurupaya, Battaramulla (call 011 2122800 first to check it is ready)