Malawi police clearance certificate
What you need for a police clearance certificate, what it costs inside and outside Malawi, and two other police documents people often need: a police report and a motor vehicle clearance.
- Residents: MK5,000
- Abroad: US$300
- Police report: MK5,000
Quick answer: A police clearance certificate shows you have no criminal record, for a job, a visa or permit abroad, or a firearm. You need a passport size photo, your fingerprints taken and certified by a police officer, and a copy of your passport’s bio data page. It costs MK5,000 for residents of Malawi, US$200 for non-residents applying in Malawi and US$300 if it is issued outside Malawi.
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How to get a police clearance certificate
From the Malawi Police Service police clearance page. The police check you mainly through your fingerprints.
Bring these
- A passport size photo.
- Your fingerprints, collected and certified by an officer, preferably at your nearest police station.
- A copy of the bio data page of your passport. No passport yet? See our passport guide.
- The fee for your category (below).
The police do not publish how long processing takes, so apply well before your visa or job deadline. The certificate is used for jobs, visa and permit applications abroad, and firearm licences.
Applying from abroad? The police list a separate fee for certificates issued outside Malawi: US$300 for Malawians and non-Malawians alike. Ask the nearest Malawi embassy or high commission how they forward fingerprints.
Police clearance and fingerprint fees
As listed by the Malawi Police Service.
- CertificateFee
- Issued in Malawi, residentsMK5,000
- Issued in Malawi, non-residentsUS$200
- Issued outside Malawi, MalawiansUS$300
- Issued outside Malawi, non-MalawiansUS$300
- For a Permanent Residence PermitMK5,000
- General fingerprints inquiriesMK2,000
Get a police report
From the police reports page: an official, confidential account of an incident.
You need a police report for things like a traffic accident, stolen or lost property (a lost ID, phone or licence) or a disaster such as a house fire. Insurers, banks and offices replacing documents often ask for one. Police reports are only issued at a police formation (a station or post), and you pay MK5,000 for a General Receipt.
Lost your driving licence or National ID? The report is the first step: see our driving licence and National ID guides.
- Fee
- MK5,000
- Where
- Police station or post
- Used for
- Accidents, lost property, fires
Motor vehicle clearance
The police check cars against INTERPOL’s stolen vehicle database (police page). Done at National Police Headquarters and all Regional Headquarters, with the vehicle there for a physical check.
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Importing a car
Bring the invoices, the bill of lading (for cars shipped from overseas) and the MRA documents. A car coming from a SADC country also needs its registration certificate and a SARPCCO Export Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate from the INTERPOL office of the country it left.
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Driving it across the border
Get a cross border motor vehicle clearance before you travel: a copy of the registration certificate, a letter authorising the driver, a copy of the driver’s passport or driving licence, and a National ID for residents.
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Buying a used car
Before you pay, the police can check the car is not reported stolen: bring a copy of the registration certificate (blue book) and the car itself.
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Exporting a car within SADC
Get a SARPCCO Export Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate and deregister the vehicle.
Police headquarters
National Police Headquarters is at Area 30, Lilongwe. For emergencies call 997, toll free.
- National HQ
- Area 30, Lilongwe
- Central West
- Lilongwe
- Central East
- Kasungu
- South West
- Blantyre
- South East
- Luchenza
- Eastern
- Zomba
- Northern
- Mzuzu
Malawi Police Service pages
Police clearance FAQ
How much is a police clearance certificate in Malawi?
MK5,000 for residents. Non-residents applying in Malawi pay US$200, and certificates issued outside Malawi cost US$300.
What do I need for a police clearance in Malawi?
A passport size photo, fingerprints collected and certified by a police officer, and a copy of your passport’s bio data page.
How long does a police clearance take?
The Malawi Police Service does not publish a processing time. Apply early and ask when you hand in your documents.
How much is a police report?
MK5,000 for the General Receipt. You get it at a police station or post.
How do I check if a car is stolen before buying it?
Take a copy of its blue book and the car to National Police Headquarters or a Regional Headquarters for a check against INTERPOL’s database.
What is the police emergency number in Malawi?
997, toll free.
Related guides
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GuideEmbassies abroadChecked contacts, travel documents
GuideDeath abroadBringing a loved one home
GuideMoving back homeDuty-free goods and your car
GuideApostilleCertificates for use abroad
GuideBirth certificateFree in 6 weeks, replace for K5,000
GuideMarriage certificate21-day notice, K50,000
GuideDeath certificateFree in 6 weeks, NR10
GuideMalawi visaOn arrival or e-Visa, from US$50
GuideDriving licenceMalTIS, learner, test, duplicate
GuidePolice numbers997 and every station’s phone
GuideConsumer rightsRefunds, faulty goods, CFTC 2489
GuideMANEB resultsCheck MSCE online, lost certificate
GuideOpen a bank accountBring your National IDSources: police clearance, police reports, motor vehicle clearance and headquarters pages on police.gov.mw. Checked October 2026.
