Spent Record Checker Singapore (2026)
Answer a few yes or no questions to see whether a Singapore criminal record appears to have become spent under section 7C of the Registration of Criminals Act 1949. Free, instant, and calculated entirely in your browser. The Singapore Police Force's Certificate of Clearance remains the authoritative check.
Any of these disqualifiers?
Appears spent
Your record appears to have become spent
- There is a single conviction on the record.
- The sentence was within the limits: not more than 3 months' imprisonment and not more than a S$2,000 fine.
- The offence was not a registrable, Third-Schedule offence.
- At least 5 crime-free years appear to have passed since the relevant date. Because no imprisonment was served, the five-year crime-free period runs from the date of conviction.
- None of the disqualifiers (recent drug-rehabilitation release, prior detention under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, an outstanding warrant, or a previously spent record) applies.
The authoritative check
Whatever this tool shows, the Singapore Police Force's Certificate of Clearance is the only authoritative confirmation. It has been issued digitally since 6 January 2025.
Before you rely on this
- This is a screening tool, not a determination, and it is not legal advice. Section 7C operates by law, but whether every condition is met on your record is a question of fact only the Singapore Police Force can confirm.
- The authoritative check is the SPF Certificate of Clearance, issued digitally since 6 January 2025. Order one before telling anyone your record is spent.
This is a screening tool, not a determination
- A record becomes spent by operation of law under section 7C of the Registration of Criminals Act 1949, but whether every condition is met on a given record is a question of fact. This tool only tells you whether the published conditions appear to be met, never that your record is definitely spent.
- The Singapore Police Force's Certificate of Clearance is the authoritative check, issued digitally since 6 January 2025.
- All conditions must be satisfied at once: a single conviction, a sentence within the limits, a non-registrable offence, 5 crime-free years since the relevant date, and none of the disqualifiers.
- Nothing here is legal advice. If your record affects a job, a licence, or travel, take advice before relying on it.
When a Record Becomes Spent
Under section 7C of the Registration of Criminals Act 1949, a person's record can become spent automatically, without any application, once a set of conditions is met. A spent record does not have to be disclosed in most situations. All of the following must be true at the same time:
- There is exactly one conviction on the record. More than one conviction and the record does not become spent.
- The sentence was within limits: not more than 3 months' imprisonment and not more than a S$2,000 fine.
- The offence was not a registrable, Third-Schedule (serious) offence.
- At least 5 crime-free years have passed since the relevant date.
- None of the disqualifiers below applies.
The Relevant Date and Disqualifiers
The 5-year crime-free period runs from the relevant date. Where a term of imprisonment was served, that is the date of release from custody. Where no imprisonment was served, it is the date of conviction. Committing a further offence within the period restarts the clock.
Even where the other conditions are met, a record does not become spent if any of these applies:
- A recent release from a drug-rehabilitation institution.
- Any prior detention under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, at any time.
- An outstanding warrant of arrest.
- The record was previously spent (a record cannot be spent twice).
For the full framework, including what a spent record means for job applications and how to order a Certificate of Clearance, see the spent criminal records guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a criminal record become spent in Singapore?
Under section 7C of the Registration of Criminals Act 1949, a record becomes spent automatically when all of these are met: exactly one conviction; a sentence of not more than 3 months' imprisonment and not more than a S$2,000 fine; a non-registrable offence; at least 5 crime-free years since the relevant date; and none of the disqualifiers.
What is the relevant date for the 5-year period?
Where imprisonment was served, the 5 crime-free years run from the date of release from custody. Where no imprisonment was served, they run from the date of conviction. Committing a further offence in that window restarts the clock.
What disqualifies a record from becoming spent?
A record does not become spent if there is a recent release from a drug-rehabilitation institution, any prior detention under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act at any time, an outstanding warrant of arrest, or the record was previously spent. More than one conviction, a registrable offence, or a sentence over the limits also prevents it.
How do I confirm my record is actually spent?
Order a Certificate of Clearance from the Singapore Police Force. It is the authoritative check on whether a record is spent, and since 6 January 2025 it is issued digitally. This tool only shows whether the published conditions appear to be met.
Does a spent record show up on a background check?
A spent record generally does not have to be disclosed and does not appear on a standard Certificate of Clearance. Certain sensitive roles can still require fuller disclosure, so check the specific requirement and, if it matters, take advice.
Does this tool store or send my information anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved, transmitted, or used to contact you.
This checker applies the conditions in section 7C of the Registration of Criminals Act 1949 for when a record becomes spent. It is general information for Singapore, not legal advice, and RecordingLaw.com is not affiliated with the Singapore Police Force (police.gov.sg). A record becomes spent by operation of law, but whether every condition is met on a given record is a question of fact that only the SPF can confirm through its Certificate of Clearance, issued digitally since 6 January 2025.
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