In Jammu & Kashmir, a Character Certificate, in conjunction with Police Clearance Certificates, provides evidence of a person’s clean criminal record and demonstrates acceptable moral character. You will generally need to obtain a Character Certificate when applying for Employment in the Private Sector; Contractor Licence; Visa; and/or Tenant Verification.
Currently applications for Character Certificates can be submitted entirely online, in this manner providing total transparency and quick processing of applications to applicants.
Overview: Character Certificate J&K
Here is a quick look at the service details for easy understanding.
| Feature | Details | Key Highlight |
| Service Name | Character Certificate / Police Verification | Verifies criminal antecedents. |
| Primary Portal | JK Police Citizen Services (jkpoliceeservices.gov.in) |
Best for Job/Employee verification. |
| Secondary Portal | Jansugam / e-Unnat (jansugam.jk.gov.in) |
Best for General/Academic purpose (Tehsildar). |
| Processing Time | 15 to 30 Days | Subject to police inquiry speed. |
| Fee | Nominal (varies by purpose) | Free for some categories; others ₹50 – ₹100. |
Types of Character Certificates
Before applying for any certificate, it is essential to know which type you require.
• Police Character Certificate: This certificate will be issued by the SP/SSP Office and is typically needed for private employment, obtaining entry passes to an airport, obtaining contractors’ licenses and verifying employment status.
• Tehsildar Character Certificate: This certificate is issued by the Revenue Department and may be required for the purposes of admission to a School/College and also as a general requirement within a local area.
• CID Verification (EVS): It is important to note that applicants for Government Jobs in Jammu and Kashmir do not submit the application themselves; the department that hires them will activate the application process through the ‘Employee Verification System’ (EVS).
This guide concentrates on how you can apply for a Police Character Certificate.
Documents Required
Be prepared to have these scanned documents in JPG or PDF format (typically less than 200 KB) prior to beginning the application:
Proof of Identity – Aadhaar Card, Voter ID or driver’s license.
Proof of Address – Domicile Certificate, Ration Card or Passport.
Proof of Date of Birth – 10th-grade marksheet/Birth Certificate.
Passport-Sized Photo – Current color image against a white background.
Signature – Scanned image of your signature in blue or black ink on white paper.
Method 1: Applying via JK Police Citizen Portal (Primary Method)
The process for applying for a character certificate for employment or safety clearance is as follows:
1. Initial Registration
To register for this certification, you will first need to go to the JK Police Citizen Services Portal. At the top of the page, click on the button marked “Citizen Registration. “Fill in all required information (name, email address and phone number). Create a password for future logins. You will then receive an OTP to your registered phone number to complete your registration.
2. Log into your Account and Find Your Service
Once registered, you will log into your account using the user ID and the password you created during registration. From the User’s Account dashboard, look for a button labelled “Character Certificate Request” or “Employee Verification. Once you find it, click on the button labelled “Add New Request.”
3. Fill Out the Application Form
In this section, you will enter the applicant’s information for the character certificate. Full name of the applicant, father’s name and family members will be required information. You will need to input the applicant’s permanent and present addresses accurately. Be aware, the police will maintain a record of the police verification at the address input in section 3 of the application. You will also need to select whether the applicant is applying for “Private Employment”, “Contractor License” or other.
4. Upload Relevant Documents
You will now need to upload your photograph, signature, Aadhaar number, and any other documentation you believe necessary.
5. Payment and Submission
Should a fee be required for obtaining the character certificate for employment or safety clearance, you may make the payment using Internet Banking or UPI. Once your application and fee have been submitted, you will be given a Request ID for future tracking purposes.
Method 2: Applying via Jansugam (Tehsildar Certificate)
In order to obtain a simple character certificate, follow this procedure if you do not require a security-sensitive certificate.
- Visit the [suspicious link removed] website.
- Once you login (or register), click on “Apply for Services”.
- Find and select “Character Certificate” from the dropdown list and select the option for “Issuance of Character Certificate by Tehsildar”.
- Complete the application form, attach your identification and proof of residence, and submit the application.
The certificate will be signed by a Tehsildar electronically, and does not normally need a police verification, although a Tehsildar may require a local verification.
The Verification Process
The online form submission (Method 1) is only the first step; the actual application processing occurs offline:
1) Your application will be sent from the CID or your local police station (Thana) to your local police station.2) A police officer (Beat Officer) may come to your residence to verify where you live, ask questions about your background, etc.
3) The Beat Officer will check if you have any criminal records (FIR) by running a name check.
4) If everything is clear, your request will be sent to the SP/SSP office for approval.
How to Download the Certificate
To access your application, please log into the portal from where you submitted your application (either jkpoliceeservices.gov.in or jansugam.jk.gov.in).
- Once logged into the portal, proceed to either “Status,” or “My Requests.”
- Once you see “Approved/Completed,” your application will have a “Download” option.
- Select “Download” to save the PDF document to your computer. The document contains a QR code and a digital signature (which indicates its validity), and therefore does not require any physical stamping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the timeframe for receiving a police character certificate in the Kashmir region?
A1: The certificate should officially be issued in 15-30 Days; however, if you are proactive (i.e. visit your local police station approximately every week until you receive your certificate), sometimes they have been issued in 7-10 Days.
Q2: Is an online printout valid for jobs?
A2: Yes, an online printout downloaded from the official police portal with an electronic signature is legally valid for submission for private job applications.
Q3: Can I get a character certificate if I have an FIR against me?
A3: Yes, you may still apply for a character certificate; however, the police verification report will indicate that there was an FIR filed against you. It is up to your potential employer to accept or deny your application based upon the result of the police report; unless there was a serious conviction against you, you would not be denied employment based on the filing of the FIR.
Q4: Do I have to pay a bribe to verify my character?
A4: No, the police character certificate system is designed to be free of corruption. If you are asked for money to verify your character, you can file a complaint with the Jammu and Kashmir Grievance Cell.
Q5: What is the cost of a character certificate?
A5: If you receive a Tehsildar Certificate (from a Tehsildar) through the Jansugam Service, the certificate will typically be issued free of charge. If you receive the certificate from the Police through the online portal, the amount will vary slightly from to, however, will typically be a nominal amount (less than 100 INR).
Conclusion
Getting a Character Certificate in Kashmir is now made easier due to the JK Police Citizen Portal or Jansugam. The application can be done from a mobile device, and applicants must ensure that their documentation is legible and that the address information provided is correct; otherwise, there will be issues at the time of the Police Verification process.
