Bermuda Police and Medical Certificates: How to Get Them from the UK
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Two documents slow down more Bermuda applications than any other: the police certificate and the medical certificate. Both are required for first-time residents. Both take time to arrange from the UK, and both may need to be recent when you submit them.
Who needs them?
- Permission to Reside on an Annual Basis: the Government’s list includes “a medical certificate” and “an original police certificate” (gov.bm PDF).
- Residence applications generally: the Residence Permit Application page lists “Police certificate” and “Medical clearance (required for first-time residents)” (gov.bm).
- Work permits: BermudaJobFinder’s 2026 guide says the Department of Immigration requires all first-time residents to provide a clean police certificate from their home country and any country they’ve lived in for the last two years, plus a medical clearance certificate (bermudajobfinder.com). That “last two years” detail comes from BermudaJobFinder, not from a gov.bm document, so ask Immigration or your employer for the exact checklist for your permit.
The UK police certificate (ACRO)
In the UK, police certificates for emigration are issued by the ACRO Criminal Records Office (acro.police.uk). An ACRO police certificate sets out any record held on the UK’s Police National Computer, or confirms there’s none.
How to apply
- Go to the ACRO police certificate page and apply online.
- Provide your personal details, address history and passport.
- Pay the fee.
- Wait for the certificate to arrive by post.
Fee and timing
The fee and processing times change, and we couldn’t confirm the current ones from ACRO directly when writing this:
- Fees and processing times are set by ACRO and shown on its application page when you apply. We don’t quote a fee here because third-party sites list different amounts.
- Don’t assume a fast-track will be available. One adviser reported in autumn 2026 that ACRO’s premium service had been suspended (ginkgoadvisory.com). Check ACRO’s site for what’s offered now.
Practical takeaway: allow at least six to eight weeks for the police certificate, and apply as soon as you have a job offer or decide to apply for residence.
Does it need an apostille?
Some countries want police certificates apostilled (legalised) by the FCDO. The Bermuda Government documents we read ask for an “original police certificate” and say nothing about an apostille. Ask Immigration or your employer’s immigration contact before paying for one.
Lived elsewhere?
If you’ve lived in other countries recently, you may need certificates from them too. Each country has its own process, and some can take months, so start early.
“Original” means original
The permission-to-reside list specifies an original police certificate (gov.bm PDF). Keep the paper certificate safe and send the original, not a scan.
How recent does it need to be?
Immigration’s documents don’t say how recent the certificate must be. Time your ACRO application so the certificate is fresh when you submit, and ask Immigration if you’re unsure.
The medical certificate
What is it?
A medical certificate completed by a doctor, confirming your health status for immigration purposes. Get the current form from your employer (for work permits) or the Department of Immigration’s residence services, and use that exact form.
Getting one in the UK
- Ask your own GP practice whether it does immigration medicals and what it charges. Medicals like this are private work, not standard NHS services.
- Private GP clinics and travel or occupational health clinics commonly offer immigration and employment medicals.
- Take the official Bermuda form with you, and make sure the doctor completes every section, signs it and stamps it with practice details.
- Read the form before you book. If it asks for test results, make sure the clinic can do them.
We haven’t quoted a price. Private clinic fees vary, so ask for a quote that includes any tests.
Other documents to gather at the same time
While you’re dealing with these two, gather the rest:
- Certified copy of your passport (gov.bm PDF)
- Passport-size photos (three for Permission to Reside)
- Birth certificate and, if relevant, marriage certificate. BermudaJobFinder says certified copies of your marriage certificate are needed whether or not your spouse is relocating (bermudajobfinder.com). The Residence Permit Application page also lists a marriage certificate “if applicable” (gov.bm).
- Children’s birth certificates for dependants
- Two character references (Permission to Reside)
- Employment references and qualifications (Residence Permit Application page lists both)
- CV
Replacement UK certificates
If you need a new copy of a birth or marriage certificate from England or Wales, order one from the General Register Office (gov.uk). Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own registers.
The full move is laid out in our moving checklist.
A timeline that works
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| Job offer received, or decision to apply | Apply to ACRO. Order any missing birth or marriage certificates |
| Week 1–2 | Get the Bermuda medical form. Book a private medical |
| Week 2–4 | Collect references. Get passport copies certified. Take photos |
| Week 4–8 | ACRO certificate arrives. Check every detail is correct |
| Ready | Pass the originals to your employer (work permit) or submit with your residence application |
Common mistakes
- Applying to ACRO too late. It’s often the last document to arrive.
- Using the wrong medical form. Use the Bermuda form, not a generic letter.
- Spelling mismatches. Make sure names match your passport exactly across every document.
- Sending scans when originals are required.
- Letting documents go stale while waiting for other paperwork.
Bottom line
Order your ACRO police certificate first, as soon as a Bermuda move looks likely. Then book a private medical using the official Bermuda form, and gather certified identity documents in parallel. Check the current fee and timing on ACRO’s site, and ask Immigration how recent the documents must be.
FAQ
Can my employer apply for the police certificate for me?
No. ACRO certificates are applied for by the individual. Your employer will tell you when to send it to them for the work permit application.
I have a minor, old conviction. Will that stop me?
Not necessarily, but don’t hide it. Declare it honestly and take advice from your employer’s immigration contact or a Bermuda immigration lawyer. Bermuda Immigration warns that false declarations carry serious penalties.
Does a DBS check count instead?
A DBS check is for UK employment. It isn’t the ACRO police certificate that’s issued for emigration and visa purposes. Apply to ACRO unless Immigration specifically asks for something else.
My partner and children are coming too. Do they need certificates?
Adult dependants are likely to need their own police certificate and medical. Children typically need birth certificates. Check the current dependant requirements with Immigration or your employer.
Where do I find the official forms?
Start at the Department of Immigration’s pages on gov.bm and the Residence Permit Application service.
Sources checked 12 October 2026.
Related: Bermuda work permits explained · Permission to Reside in Bermuda · moving to Bermuda from the UK