When does a criminal record become spent in Singapore?

What counts as a criminal record

Your criminal record is the list of your registrable convictions kept by the Criminal Records Office of the Singapore Police Force under the Registration of Criminals Act. Some minor offences are not registrable, so they do not appear on it.

When a record can become spent

A record for a minor conviction can be treated as spent after a crime-free period of five consecutive years.

If you were not sent to prison, the five years run from the date you were sentenced. If you were imprisoned, they run from the date you were released.

Who does not qualify automatically

You will not qualify for the automatic route if, for example:

• your sentence included more than three months’ imprisonment
• your sentence included a fine of more than $2,000
• you have more than one conviction

Applying if you do not qualify

If you fall outside the automatic rules, you can apply to the Commissioner of Police for your record to be treated as spent. The Commissioner looks at the details of your case, and there is no guarantee of the outcome.

Certain serious offences listed in the Act cannot become spent automatically.

Working out where you stand

To check your own position, start by listing each conviction you have, the sentence you received for it, and the date you were sentenced or released. Compare these against the conditions above. This tells you whether your record may already be spent, whether it is still counting down, or whether you would need to apply.

Keep in mind that a spent record is not the same as a record that has been wiped. If you are unsure, a lawyer can review the details with you before you answer a question on a form.

What a spent record means

Once a record is spent, you are generally treated as having no record of that conviction. In most situations, such as a job application, you can lawfully answer questions about your criminal record on that basis.

There are exceptions. You may still need to disclose a spent conviction in some situations, for example in later court proceedings or when applying for certain roles or professions where the law requires it. Check carefully before answering, or take advice. This guide is general information only.