Certificate of No Criminal Record. How to obtain it, what it is, what it is needed for.
What is a certificate of no criminal record?
The certificate of no criminal record is an extract from the National Criminal Register providing information on the current criminal status of the applicant. The document shows whether the person appears in the register of persons with final criminal convictions or not. If the person has ever been convicted, the extract from the register will show this information.
What is the criminal record certificate needed for?
You will have to present this document if you wish to start certain types of business activity or begin work in certain professions. Such certificates are required from group leaders at children’s camps, teachers or persons working for businesses dealing with cash or precious metals. You should expect that many entities in the banking sector will require such a document.
You can choose one of several options.
By post. Another way is to send the documents by post and wait for a reply.
Online. You may apply for an extract from the National Criminal Register online.
Through a representative. A third party may obtain the certificate of no criminal record on your behalf. This may be an authorised representative, a law firm or a company such as ours. Below you will find a form through which you can order the extract without leaving your home, and we will send it to your address.
In person. You may also go to the nearest National Criminal Register service point and file an application for the document there.
How to obtain a certificate of no criminal record online?
To submit an application for an extract from the National Criminal Register you need a Trusted Profile in order to sign the application. You create an account on the e-krk portal and complete the form. The website is operated by the Ministry of Justice.
The fee for an online application is PLN 20. You pay it on the e‑krk platform.
You will receive the certificate of no criminal record in electronic form. It is a document in XML format bearing an electronic signature and you can use it in many situations.
How to obtain a certificate of no criminal record through a representative?
You may apply for an extract from the National Criminal Register through an authorised representative. You must prepare an appropriate authorisation document indicating the relevant data, e.g. ID card number and address. It is important to attach an additional fee of PLN 17 to the application documents. This does not apply to immediate family members.
How to obtain a certificate of no criminal record in person?
You may also apply for a traditional paper version of the certificate. You will obtain it at:
National Criminal Register service points
the Ministry of Justice in Warsaw
If you are going to a service point that issues paper certificates, you should take an identity document and PLN 30 in cash. Due to Covid-19 you may not be able to use a payment card in many places. You may pay the fee in advance and take a printed confirmation with you. Make sure that the payment status is “completed”.
The application form will be filled in on site. You can prepare it in advance.
The certificate of no criminal record is issued on the spot. If you submit more than 10 applications, you should expect to have to visit the office again.
How to obtain a certificate of no criminal record by post?
It is possible to obtain an extract from the National Criminal Register by post. The documents should be sent to the address of any National Criminal Register service point or to the Ministry of Justice.
You should attach the following to your application:
a completed application for the certificate
proof of payment of the court fee
You should expect a longer waiting time – about 3–4 weeks.
How to pay for the certificate of no criminal record?
You can make the payment in several ways:
by means of court fee stamps
by bank transfer: Ministry of Justice, Al. Ujazdowskie 11, 00‑950 Warsaw, PL 77 1010 1010 0400 1922 3100 0000
in cash at the cashier’s desk of the Ministry of Justice or at the court cashier’s desk
Certificate of no criminal record – questions and answers
Can I obtain the certificate of no criminal record only in my place of residence?
You can obtain the extract at any place where it is issued. If it is easier for you to obtain it near your workplace, you may go to the nearest service point. If you wish to use our assistance, the certificate of no criminal record will be issued via the Ministry of Justice in Warsaw (ul. Czerniakowska 100).
How much does the certificate of no criminal record cost?
The official fee for an extract from the National Criminal Register is PLN 30. The fee for an online application is PLN 20. If you appoint a representative who is not an immediate family member, an additional fee of PLN 17 must be attached.
The Act on the National Criminal Register exempts from the fee for issuing the document: volunteers, candidates for the position of leisure manager or childcare worker during holidays for children and young people.
Can I obtain an apostille or standard legalisation on an online extract?
No, this is not possible. An apostille or legalisation through an embassy can be obtained only on a paper document bearing the seal of a court or the Ministry.
Can I obtain the certificate in English?
The document is issued in Polish. You can have it translated into the required language by a sworn translator. Multilingual versions are issued after prior justification and payment of an additional fee.
How long does it take to obtain a certificate of no criminal record?
The extract is issued on the same day. However, if you are applying for more than 10 extracts, you must leave the applications at the court and collect them on another date, usually the next day. The postal procedure usually takes much longer.
Can I obtain a certificate of no criminal record for a company?
Yes. Such a document is issued to persons authorised to represent the company or to representatives. It is important that the authorisation is signed by persons listed in the register of companies and in accordance with the provisions of that register regarding representation of the company or association.
Can I obtain an extract of no criminal record with a different date?
No. The certificate is issued as of the specific date on which the application is submitted. It reflects the factual status on that date.
How long is the certificate of no criminal record valid?
It has no fixed validity period. This is determined by other regulations and by the institutions that request the certificate. Usually it is 1, 3 or 6 months. You must check with your employer or the relevant institution what validity period is required.
Can my employer request information from the Criminal Register about me?
Yes. However, the employer must indicate the legal provision that allows them to submit such a request. In many cases you must give such consent or apply for an extract from the National Criminal Register yourself.
Can anyone request information about me?
Information on who may request information about a person and in what circumstances is described in detail in the Act of 24 May 2000 on the National Criminal Register. Chapter 3 states that anyone who obtains information about a person without the appropriate authorisation is liable to a fine or imprisonment for up to 2 years.