Every Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) application submitted from 31 August 2026 needs a certificate of criminal record clearance, from the main applicant and from each dependent[1]. The certificate comes from your country of nationality or the country where you submit the application, it must be the issued certificate (not an application receipt), and the format, age limit and legalization rules are set by the embassy you apply to.
Who needs a criminal record certificate for the DTV?
Everyone applying for a DTV on or after 31 August 2026 (Thailand time). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Consular Affairs announced the change on 28 August 2026, together with the new proof-of-residence rule[1]. Applications submitted before 31 August 2026 are processed under the old document list[1].
That includes:
- main applicants on every DTV track (remote work, Soft Power courses, medical treatment)
- spouses and children applying as dependents, each on their own application
It is not optional, and it does not depend on whether your embassy "usually asks".
Which country issues it?
The certificate must come from either:
- the country of your nationality, or
- the country where you submit the DTV application.
Because the DTV can now only be filed with the Thai embassy or consulate that covers your country of citizenship or legal residence, these are usually the same country. If you are a legal resident somewhere other than your passport country, check which one your embassy wants before you order the certificate. Our guide on where you can apply for the DTV explains the residence rule.
Upload the certificate itself. A request form, a receipt or a "pending" email is not accepted.
How recent does it need to be?
There is no single global rule. Each embassy sets its own window. Examples:
| Where you apply | What the embassy asks for |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles (United States) | FBI criminal certificate issued within 3 months[2] |
| Rome (Italy) | Certificato del casellario giudiziale showing no criminal record[3]; issued within the last 6 months |
| London (UK and Ireland) | ACRO police certificate (UK) or Irish police certificate, issued within 6 months of submission |
| The Hague (Netherlands) | Certificate of conduct (VoG) from the municipality, issued within 6 months, verified by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy |
| Singapore | Certificate of Clearance (COC), valid at the time you submit |
If your embassy is not listed, assume the certificate should be recent and check that embassy's requirements on Issa Compass before you order it, so it does not expire while you wait for other documents.
Translation and legalization
- Language. DTV documents must be in English or Thai[4], so a certificate in any other language needs a certified translation.
- Legalization. Some embassies want the certificate legalized or verified before you upload it (The Hague, for example, wants verification by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy). Others accept the certificate as issued.
These steps can take longer than getting the certificate itself, so start them early.
Children and other dependents
Dependents need their own certificate too. Two embassies have published rules for young children:
- Manila: every applicant needs one, including young children. If a child cannot get a certificate because of age, the parents submit a signed letter explaining why.
- Ho Chi Minh City: spouses and dependents, including those under 20, need one. If the authority in the child's country cannot issue a certificate for under-20s, submit official proof from that authority saying so.
Other embassies may handle children differently.
What if you have a criminal record?
A criminal record significantly lowers the chances of approval, and the right route depends on the details. Never leave anything out of an application. Read applying for a Thai visa with a criminal record and book a consultation before you file, so we can look at your case.
Plan the timing
Order the certificate early. Police and justice departments work to their own schedules, and an expired certificate means ordering a new one. A practical order is: confirm your embassy, check its age limit and legalization rule, order the certificate, then gather your bank statements and activity documents so everything is current on the day you submit.
For the full DTV document list, see our DTV requirements guide, or use find my visa if you are not sure the DTV is the right visa.
How we help
We tell you which certificate your embassy accepts, how recent it must be, and whether it needs translating or legalizing, before you pay the government fee. If Issa Compass files a pre-qualified Full Service application for you and it is not approved, Issa refunds its service fee. Government and embassy fees are never refundable. If applicable, course fee refunds follow partner policies. Terms apply. For the DTV, the refund also covers an eligible partner course or gym fee. The DTV refund applies only if you apply from your country of citizenship or permanent residence, have a clean criminal record, and are not reapplying after an earlier Thai visa rejection.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a criminal record certificate for the Thailand DTV?
Yes. Every DTV application submitted from 31 August 2026 needs a certificate of criminal record clearance, including dependents. Applications submitted before that date follow the old rules.
Which country should my DTV police certificate come from?
Your country of nationality or the country where you submit the application. Since you can only apply where you hold citizenship or legal residence, that is usually the same place.
How old can my criminal record certificate be for the DTV?
It depends on the embassy. Los Angeles asks for an FBI certificate issued within 3 months; several European embassies ask for one issued within 6 months. Check your embassy's rule before ordering.
Can I upload the application receipt while I wait?
Generally no. Upload the issued certificate. A receipt or request form is not accepted, so wait until the certificate arrives before you submit.
Does my child need a criminal record certificate for a DTV?
Usually yes, as a dependent. Manila accepts a signed parent letter for children too young to get one, and Ho Chi Minh City accepts official proof that the issuing authority cannot provide one for under-20s.
Does the certificate need to be translated?
Yes, if it is not in English or Thai, because DTV documents must be in one of those languages. Some embassies also want it legalized before you upload it.
References
- Adjustment to Supporting Documents for Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) Applications (moscow.thaiembassy.org), 2 Sep 2026
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) (thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org), updated 1 Oct 2026
- Adjustment of Supporting Documents for DTV Applications (rome.thaiembassy.org), 28 Aug 2026
- Checklist of Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) (image.mfa.go.th)
