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Translation Guide · Sri Lanka

How to Translate Your Police Clearance Certificate in Sri Lanka

A complete guide to getting your Sri Lankan Police Clearance Certificate officially translated to English — required for visa applications, permanent residency, and employment abroad.

ImmigrationVisa ApplicationsAustralian PRCanadian IRCCUK VisaEmployment Abroad

Quick Answer

The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a critical document for immigration and employment overseas. It confirms your criminal record status and is required by most embassies and immigration authorities. SwornTranslators.lk provides sworn PCC translations 100% online from LKR 1,900, delivered in 24–48 hours.

When Is a Police Clearance Translation Required?

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from Sri Lanka Police is issued in Sinhala. Any official submission to a foreign embassy, immigration authority, or overseas employer must include a sworn English translation by a Ministry of Justice registered translator.

Most countries require a PCC from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. If you lived in Sri Lanka during that period, you will need a translated PCC as part of your application.

Australian permanent residency — character assessment requirement
Canadian IRCC — background check for PR and work permits
UK visa applications — good character requirement
Employment abroad — employer background verification
MFA attestation for foreign submissions
Skilled migration visa applications
Student visa applications requiring character clearance
Adoption proceedings involving international authorities

Step-by-Step: How to Translate Your Police Clearance Certificate

01

Obtain Your Police Clearance Certificate

Apply at your nearest police station or through Sri Lanka Police headquarters. The PCC is issued in Sinhala and confirms your criminal record status. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks.

  • Apply at the nearest police station or Sri Lanka Police HQ in Colombo
  • Bring your NIC, a passport-size photo, and the application fee
  • Request the certificate well in advance — processing takes 2–4 weeks
  • The certificate is valid for 6 months from date of issue
Time: 2–4 weeks
02

Upload to SwornTranslators.lk

Create a free account and upload a clear scan or photograph of your Police Clearance Certificate. If you are also submitting other documents, include them all in the same request.

  • PNG, JPG, or PDF formats accepted
  • Ensure all text and official stamps are clearly visible
  • Bundle with birth certificate, NIC, or other documents for a single request
  • 100% online — no office visit required
Time: 5 minutes
03

Receive a Fixed Price Quote

Our team reviews your document and sends a fixed price quote through your account portal. Police Clearance Certificates are typically standard-length documents.

  • Quotes usually sent within a few hours of submission
  • Bundling with other documents is straightforward — one quote covers all
  • Courier delivery adds approximately LKR 400
  • No hidden fees
Time: A few hours
04

Pay & Receive Your Translation

Pay via bank transfer once you accept the quote. Your certified PDF translation is delivered within 24–48 hours, or choose courier delivery of a stamped hard copy.

  • Online card payments or bank transfer available
  • Translation begins immediately after payment confirmation
  • Download certified PDF from your dashboard
  • Courier delivery island-wide — all 25 districts covered
Time: 24–48 hours after payment

Submit Your PCC Early — It Has an Expiry Date

Police Clearance Certificates in Sri Lanka are typically valid for only 6 months from the date of issue. Plan your translation and submission timeline accordingly, especially if you are waiting for other documents (birth certificate, medical reports) to be ready. Our translators can prioritise urgent PCC translations when requested.

What's Included in Your PCC Sworn Translation

Full English translation of the entire Police Clearance Certificate
All official stamps, seals, and issuing authority details translated
Translator's official Ministry of Justice stamp and signature
Translator's registration number
Signed declaration of accuracy
Criminal record status clearly translated (clean record / offences listed)
Accepted by Australian Home Affairs, UKVI, and IRCC
Certified PDF + optional stamped hard copy by courier

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a Police Clearance Certificate translation required?
A sworn translation of your PCC is required whenever you submit it to a foreign authority — including embassies, immigration departments, and overseas employers. Most countries require a PCC from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
How do I obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from Sri Lanka Police?
You can apply at your nearest police station or directly at Sri Lanka Police headquarters in Colombo. You'll need your NIC, a passport-size photo, and the application fee. Processing takes approximately 2–4 weeks. For overseas Sri Lankans, applications can be made through Sri Lankan embassies.
Sri Lanka Police Official Website →
Is my PCC translation accepted by Australian, UK, and Canadian authorities?
Yes. Translations produced through SwornTranslators.lk are completed by sworn translators registered with the Ministry of Justice, Sri Lanka — the standard required by Australian Home Affairs (character assessment), UKVI (good character requirement), and IRCC Canada (background check).
How long does a Police Clearance Certificate translation take?
PCC translations are typically completed within 24–48 hours of payment confirmation. You can track the status in real time from your account dashboard.
Can I translate my PCC together with other documents?
Yes. Most immigration applications require multiple translated documents — birth certificate, NIC, PCC, and sometimes medical records. SwornTranslators.lk allows you to bundle all documents in a single request, ensuring consistent name spellings across all translations.

Only Ministry of Justice Registered Translators Are Accepted

Embassies and immigration authorities require translations from a translator registered with the Ministry of Justice, Sri Lanka. Informal translations, Google Translate outputs, or agency translations without a registered sworn translator will be rejected. SwornTranslators.lk works exclusively with Ministry of Justice registered translators.

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Translate Your Police Clearance Certificate Online — From LKR 1,900

100% online · Ministry of Justice authorised translators · Delivered in 24–48 hours · Accepted by embassies & immigration authorities

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