What Is a Criminal Record Certificate and How to Obtain One in Ukraine
What Is a Criminal Record Certificate and Why Might You Need One?
A criminal record certificate is a commonly used term for an official document confirming whether a person has a criminal record. Depending on the type requested, it may also contain additional information held in the records of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (MIA). Officially, the document is issued as an extract from the MIA Information and Analytical System “Records of Information on Criminal Prosecution and Criminal Records.”
This is why you may come across several different terms when searching for information, including “criminal record certificate,” “police clearance certificate,” “certificate of no criminal record,” and “MIA criminal record extract.” When referring to the current Ukrainian government service, the official document is an extract.
It is available to individuals aged 14 and over. The document can be obtained for use in Ukraine or for submission to authorities and organizations abroad. Depending on the purpose, either a short-form or full extract may be required.
What Information Does a Criminal Record Extract Contain?
The information included depends on the type of extract. A short-form extract confirms whether or not the person has a criminal record. A full extract additionally includes information on criminal prosecution and any restrictions provided for under Ukrainian criminal procedure legislation.
Before ordering the document, it is therefore advisable to check the requirements of the authority or organization to which it will be submitted. This is particularly important if you need a criminal record certificate for a visa, employment, or official procedures abroad.
When Might You Need a Criminal Record Certificate?
A criminal record extract is generally required when an authority, employer, or other organization needs official confirmation of a person’s criminal record status. The exact requirements depend on the procedure and the organization receiving the document.
A criminal record certificate may commonly be required:
- for employment purposes;
- when applying for a visa or preparing to travel abroad;
- for submission to foreign authorities and institutions;
- when applying for citizenship;
- for adoption, guardianship, or custodianship procedures;
- for participation in certain tenders;
- when applying for or renewing certain documents;
- for other administrative or professional procedures requiring confirmation of whether a person has a criminal record.
The purpose for which the certificate is required does not automatically determine the type of extract or the way it should be prepared. For example, one foreign authority may require a full criminal record extract together with a translation and an apostille, while another may accept the document without an apostille. Employment requirements can also vary depending on the employer, profession, and country. The safest approach is to check with the receiving authority before ordering the document to confirm which type of extract is required, how recently it must have been issued, and whether any additional certification is necessary. Doing so can help avoid having to obtain a new document, arrange another translation, or obtain an apostille because the original submission did not meet the formal requirements.
What Is the Difference Between a Full and Short-Form Criminal Record Extract?
The short-form and full criminal record extracts differ in the amount of information they contain. The short-form version focuses on criminal record status, while the full version contains more extensive information from the relevant MIA Information and Analytical System.
| Criteria | Short-Form Extract | Full Extract |
|---|---|---|
| Information on the absence or existence of a criminal record | Yes | Yes |
| Information on criminal prosecution | No | Yes |
| Information on restrictions provided for by law | No | Yes |
| Which one should you choose? | According to the receiving authority’s requirements | According to the receiving authority’s requirements |
Short-Form Extract
A short-form extract contains information confirming whether or not a person has a criminal record. If an organization, employer, or other authority only asks for confirmation of criminal record status and does not require more detailed information, the short-form document may be sufficient.
However, you should not choose the format based solely on the name of the procedure. If the receiving authority specifies a particular type of extract, that is the version you should request.
Full Extract
A full extract contains a broader range of information, including details of criminal prosecution, the absence or existence of a criminal record, and restrictions provided for under Ukrainian criminal procedure legislation.
If you need a Ukrainian criminal record certificate for use abroad, it is advisable to check with the foreign authority in advance to determine which of the two versions it accepts.
How to Obtain a Criminal Record Certificate in Ukraine
A criminal record extract can be obtained through official Ukrainian online services. In 2026, the document is available through Diia and the online service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Regional and territorial MIA service centers do not issue criminal record extracts.
How to Order a Criminal Record Extract Through Diia
You can order a criminal record certificate online without visiting a government office in person. To do so, you need to sign in to Diia and submit an electronic request.
The process is straightforward:
- Open the “Criminal Record Extract” service.
- Sign in and check your personal details.
- Select the type of extract — short-form or full.
- Specify the purpose for which you need the document.
- Enter any previous personal details if they have changed.
- Provide information about your place of birth.
- Check the information and submit your request.
Under the standard verification procedure, the extract is issued within 10 business days. If the information requires additional verification, processing may take up to 30 calendar days. The electronic extract is issued free of charge and can be received in digital format.
If you are preparing the document for submission to a foreign authority, you should determine not only which type of extract you need but also whether a paper version and an apostille are required.
How to Obtain an Extract Through the MIA Online Service
Another option is to use the official MIA online service, the “Single Window for Citizens.” After signing in, you need to complete the request and select the required document format.
In 2026, both electronic and paper versions are available, as well as a paper criminal record extract with an apostille. For a paper document, you can select one of the collection or delivery options offered by the service.
The MIA online service should not be confused with MIA service centers. The Main, Regional, and Territorial Service Centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs do not issue criminal record extracts. The preparation and issuance of these documents fall within the remit of the Department of Informatization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
How to Obtain a Criminal Record Extract Through the Regional Translation Center
If you prefer not to handle the application process yourself, or if you also need an apostille, translation, or further certification of the document, you can contact the Regional Translation Center.
To arrange the service, you will generally need to provide clear, high-quality copies of the following documents:
- for a Ukrainian passport in booklet form — photographs of the first and second double-page spreads and the page containing registered place-of-residence details;
- a photograph of the document containing your Ukrainian taxpayer identification number;
- for a Ukrainian ID card — clear photographs of the front and back of the card, together with a document confirming your place of residence.
Before sending the documents, make sure that all entries, series and document numbers, and other details are clearly visible and that the photographs are free from glare and do not have cropped edges. If the criminal record extract will subsequently be submitted abroad, let us know the destination country and the receiving authority from the outset. This will help determine whether you need a paper document, an apostille, a translation, and a particular type of certification. This approach is especially convenient when you need not simply an MIA extract, but a complete set of documents prepared in a format suitable for submission to a foreign authority.
How Long Is a Ukrainian Criminal Record Certificate Valid?
Ukrainian regulations do not establish a universal validity period for a criminal record extract. The document reflects the information held in the relevant records as of the date and time it was generated.
In practice, this means that the “validity period” of a criminal record certificate is often determined not by the document itself but by the requirements of the organization receiving it. An employer, consulate, immigration authority, educational institution, or other foreign organization may impose its own requirements regarding how recently the certificate must have been issued.
For example, if the receiving authority requires an extract issued no more than a specified period before the date of submission, that requirement should be followed. Therefore, statements frequently found online claiming that every Ukrainian criminal record certificate is automatically valid for 30, 60, or 90 days, or for six months, should not be treated as a universal rule.
Before obtaining a criminal record certificate for use abroad, it is best to confirm the acceptable issue date directly with the authority to which the document will be submitted.
How to Prepare a Ukrainian Criminal Record Certificate for Use Abroad
Simply obtaining a criminal record extract may not be enough if you intend to use it outside Ukraine. Depending on the destination country and the requirements of the receiving authority, you may also need an apostille, a translation, and a specific form of translation certification.
There is no single procedure that applies to every country. Before arranging the document, it is advisable to clarify four points: which type of extract is accepted, whether a paper original is required, whether an apostille is necessary, and what type of translation must be provided.
| What May Be Required | What It Depends On |
|---|---|
| Paper criminal record extract | Requirements of the receiving authority |
| Apostille | Destination country and document legalization requirements |
| Translation | Language accepted by the receiving authority |
| Notarial certification of the translation | Requirements of the receiving authority |
| Sworn or certified translation | Rules of the particular country or authority |
When Is an Apostille Required?
An apostille may be required when a Ukrainian criminal record extract is submitted to a competent authority in another country. However, there is no need to obtain an apostille “just in case”: whether it is required depends on the destination country, applicable international agreements, and the specific requirements of the receiving authority.
A paper criminal record extract with an apostille can be ordered through Diia. When submitting the request, you need to select the appropriate document option and one of the available collection or delivery methods.
There is an important distinction when it comes to electronic extracts. The electronic document is authenticated with the electronic seal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but an apostille cannot be affixed to the electronic version. If a foreign authority specifically requires an apostilled criminal record certificate, you should order the appropriately processed paper version.
When Is a Translation of a Criminal Record Certificate Required?
A translation is required when the receiving authority does not accept documents in Ukrainian. However, the language is not the only factor to consider: the required form of translation is equally important.
In some cases, a standard professional translation is sufficient. In others, the authenticity of the translator’s signature must be notarized. Certain countries or procedures may require a translation completed by a sworn, certified, or otherwise officially authorized translator.
The order in which the document is processed should also be established before translation begins. If the document requires an apostille, the translator will generally need to work from the final document package so that the translation includes all relevant details and certification elements.
The Regional Translation Center can help determine the appropriate translation format and prepare the criminal record extract in line with the known requirements of the destination country and receiving authority. When placing an order, simply tell us where the document will be submitted and for what purpose.
What Should You Check Before Submitting the Document?
Before submitting a criminal record extract, check both the accuracy of your personal details and whether the document meets the receiving authority’s requirements. This is particularly important when documents are being prepared for use abroad.
Check your full name as well as any previous surnames or other personal details if they have changed. Make sure you have ordered the correct type of extract — full or short-form — and that its issue date meets the requirements of the organization to which you will submit it.
For international use, also check the destination country, whether a paper original and apostille are required, the language of translation, and the required form of certification. If the receiving authority has provided written instructions or a document checklist, these requirements should take priority.
You should also compare the spelling of your first name and surname in the translation with your international passport or other documents being submitted together with the extract. Consistent spelling of personal details across all documents helps prevent unnecessary questions or delays when your documents are reviewed.
