Police Verification Guide: Hiring a cook, maid, driver, nanny or another domestic worker involves giving someone regular access to your home. Checking their identity and completing the applicable police-verification process can therefore be a useful safety measure before or soon after hiring them.
Many police departments in India provide citizen-service portals through which employers can submit details of domestic workers online. However, the exact procedure, documents, charges and verification requirements differ from one state or city to another.
What Is Domestic Help Police Verification?
Domestic-help or employee verification is a process through which the local police records and checks information provided about a person employed in a household.
Depending on the local police system, verification may involve checking identity documents, residential information and other details available to the authorities.
The facility may be used for people working as cooks, maids, drivers, nannies, caregivers, gardeners, security guards and other household staff.
How to Apply for Police Verification Online
The first step is to visit the official website, citizen-service portal or mobile application of your state or city police department.
Look for a service named Domestic Help Verification, Servant Verification, Employee Verification, Tenant/Employee Verification or a similar option.
Avoid unofficial websites that claim to perform police verification on behalf of the authorities.
Step 1: Register on the Police Portal
If the online service requires an account, register using the requested information.
This may include your name, mobile number, email address and residential details. An OTP may be sent to the registered mobile number for authentication.
After completing registration, log in to access the relevant citizen service.
Step 2: Select Domestic Help or Employee Verification
Navigate to the Citizen Services section and select the appropriate verification service.
The terminology varies between police departments, so you may find it listed as servant verification, domestic-help registration or employee verification.
Step 3: Enter the Worker’s Details
You may be asked to provide information about the cook or other domestic worker, including:
- Full name
- Date of birth or age
- Mobile number
- Current residential address
- Permanent address
- Identity-document details
- Previous address, where required
- Previous employment information, if requested
- Employer's name and address
Enter the details exactly as shown on the supporting documents.
Step 4: Upload the Required Documents
Document requirements differ across jurisdictions. Depending on the police portal, applicants may be asked to upload a recent photograph and acceptable identity/address documents.
These could include Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or another document accepted by the relevant police department.
Do not collect or upload more personal information than the official process requires. Aadhaar is also not necessarily the only acceptable identity document, so follow the document list displayed by your local police portal.
Step 5: Pay the Applicable Fee
Some jurisdictions may charge a fee for particular verification or citizen services, while others may offer the service without a charge.
If a fee applies, make the payment only through the payment gateway available on the official police website or app. Depending on the portal, payment options could include UPI, cards or net banking.
Step 6: Save the Application or Reference Number
After submitting the application, save the acknowledgement, receipt or reference/application number generated by the portal.
This number can be useful for checking the application status or communicating with the police department if there is a delay or other issue.
What Happens After You Submit the Application?
The relevant police unit may review the submitted form and supporting documents.
Depending on local procedures, officials may contact the employer or domestic worker for additional information. Further verification may also be carried out where necessary.
The time required to complete the process varies depending on the police department, location, information submitted and type of verification.
Documents You May Need
| Document/Information | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Worker's photograph | Identification |
| Valid identity proof | Confirming identity |
| Current address details | Residential information |
| Permanent address | Background verification |
| Employer details | Linking worker with employer |
| Mobile number | Contact/verification |
| Previous employment details | If required by local police |
| Application receipt | Tracking the request |
The actual list should always be checked on the relevant police department's official portal.
Is Police Verification Mandatory for Every Domestic Worker?
Rules are not uniform across India. Requirements can differ between states, cities and police jurisdictions, and local orders may impose specific registration or verification obligations.
Therefore, homeowners should check the current instructions issued by their local police department rather than assuming that the same rule applies everywhere.
Important Precautions When Hiring Domestic Help
Police verification can be useful, but it should not be treated as a complete guarantee of a person's conduct or reliability.
Employers can also independently verify the worker's identity, keep emergency contact information, check previous-employer references where appropriate and clearly document employment arrangements.
At the same time, personal documents and information collected from domestic workers should be stored securely and used only for legitimate employment and verification purposes.
Avoid Fake Police Verification Websites
Because verification requires personal information, use only an official state or city police website or government-authorised citizen-service platform.
Be cautious if an unknown website asks you to upload Aadhaar, photographs, addresses and other sensitive documents or demands payment for an unspecified verification service.
If an online facility is unavailable in your area, contact your local police station or official police helpline to ask about the applicable process.
Bottom line: If you are hiring a new cook, maid, driver or other domestic worker, check your local police department's verification procedure, submit accurate information and retain the acknowledgement or reference number until the process is completed.
