United Kingdom · Europe
ACRO Police Certificate Apostille
Priority FCDO Apostille processing for ACRO-issued police certificates with expedited handling to preserve validity periods for UAE residency applications.
Get your ACRO police certificate apostilled by the FCDO for UAE visa applications, employment screening, and residency processing. Green Apple Attest coordinates the full ACRO application and apostille process from Dubai.
The ACRO Criminal Records Office issues police certificates for UK nationals and residents who need proof of a clean criminal record for use overseas. In the UAE, an apostilled ACRO police certificate is commonly required for employment visas, residency permits, professional licensing (especially in education, healthcare, and finance), and adoption proceedings. The certificate confirms whether an individual has any recordable criminal convictions in the UK.
Obtaining an ACRO certificate and getting it apostilled involves two separate government bodies — ACRO for the certificate itself, and the FCDO for the apostille. The process can be confusing for applicants based outside the UK, particularly because ACRO has specific application requirements, processing timelines, and the certificate has a limited validity window once issued.
Green Apple Attest manages both stages for you. If you do not yet have an ACRO certificate, we guide you through the application process or handle it on your behalf. Once the certificate is issued, we arrange immediate FCDO apostille to ensure the document remains within its validity period. The apostilled certificate is then couriered to your UAE address.
For clients who need their police certificate urgently — for example, to meet a UAE visa deadline — we offer an express service that combines priority ACRO processing with same-day FCDO apostille.
Documents required
- 01 Original ACRO police certificate (or we assist you in obtaining one)
- 02 Clear colour scan of the ACRO certificate for pre-assessment (if already obtained)
- 03 Copy of your valid UK passport (photo page)
- 04 Proof of all UK addresses for the past 5 years (required for ACRO application)
- 05 Completed Green Apple Attest service request form
- 06 Proof of UAE address for courier delivery
Special requirements
- § ACRO certificates have a limited validity window. Timing the apostille correctly is critical to ensure the document is still valid when presented to UAE authorities.
- § Applicants with dual nationality may need police certificates from both countries.
How it works
- 01 Contact us to confirm whether you need to apply for a new ACRO certificate or already have one.
- 02 If needed, we assist with your ACRO application, ensuring all details are correct to avoid rejection.
- 03 Once the ACRO certificate is issued and received at our UK address, we verify it immediately.
- 04 We submit the certificate to the FCDO for apostille (standard or express processing).
- 05 The apostilled ACRO certificate is sent to your UAE address via tracked international courier.
Insider tips
Frequently asked questions
Most UAE authorities accept ACRO certificates that are less than 6 months old from the date of issue. Some authorities require it to be less than 3 months old. We recommend processing the apostille as soon as the certificate is issued to maximise the remaining validity.
Yes. ACRO certificates cover your criminal record history in the UK regardless of where you currently reside. You will need to provide your UK address history. If you have never lived in the UK but hold a UK passport, you may still apply.
An ACRO police certificate is specifically designed for overseas use and is accepted internationally. A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is intended for UK domestic employment purposes. For UAE requirements, you need the ACRO certificate, not a DBS check.
Yes. We offer a combined ACRO application plus FCDO apostille service. We handle the application, receive the certificate at our UK address, and immediately proceed with the apostille.
If you already have the ACRO certificate, apostille processing takes 5 to 8 working days. If we need to apply for a new ACRO certificate first, add approximately 10 to 15 working days for ACRO processing. Express options are available for both stages.
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Tell us what you're working toward. We'll map every stamp.
Visa, job, university, company formation — share the objective and we'll return a full attestation plan with timelines and fees within one business day.