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Police Clearance Certificate

Police Clearance Certificate

A Police Clearance Certificate (also known as a No Criminal Record Certificate) is an official document that confirms whether an individual has a criminal record in a specific country. For foreigners living in Poland, this certificate is often required for various purposes, such as applying for residency, work permits, or visas.

What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

A Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued by the police or relevant authorities that states whether an individual has a criminal record in Poland. It is often required for:

  • Visa applications for other countries.
  • Employment in certain sectors (e.g., education, healthcare).
  • Adoption processes.

Benefits of a Police Clearance Certificate

  1. Employment Opportunities:
    • Some employers, especially in sensitive sectors, require this certificate to ensure the candidate has no criminal record.
  2. International Mobility:
    • If you plan to move to another country, a Police Clearance Certificate from Poland may be required for visa or immigration purposes.
  3. Peace of Mind:
    • Having a Police Clearance Certificate can provide assurance to authorities, employers, or institutions that you have no criminal history in Poland.

Who Needs a Police Clearance Certificate in Poland?

  • Individuals applying for visas to other countries.
  • Job applicants in certain sectors (e.g., education, healthcare, childcare).

Key Features of a Police Clearance Certificate

  • Validity: The certificate is usually valid for 3 to 6 months, depending on the requirements of the requesting authority.
  • Language: The certificate is issued in Polish. If you need it in another language, you must have it officially translated.
  • Content: The certificate states whether you have a criminal record in Poland. If you have no record, it will state “No Criminal Record.”

How can I obtain a certificate from the National Criminal Register (certificate of clear criminal record)?

  • by electronic means (basic information at www.krk.ms.gov.pl, access to e-KRK https://ems.ms.gov.pl).
  • in person at one of the National Criminal Register Information Points or at the NCR Information Bureau at ul. Czerniakowska 100 in Warsaw, or by authorizing a third party to come to the National Criminal Register Information Point or to the registered office of the Bureau with a written power of attorney and a filled out and signed inquiry/request.
  • you can send the signed and paid form by mail to the National Criminal Register Information Point of your choosing or to the registered office of the Bureau. To that end, download the “inquiry for information about a person”/“inquiry for information about a collective entity” form from the Ministry of Justice website and pay the fee (30 PLN). The fee for the certificate may be paid: by bank transfer to the account of the Ministry of Justice (the account number is given below), in the form of a court fee stamp, purchased e.g. at the nearest courthouse or in cash at any courthouse cash desk. The title of the transfer should indicate the date of issue and the forename and surname of the person or collective entity to which the information from the Register pertains. Proof of payment must accompany the inquiry/request.