Do you need a Polish criminal record certificate (KRK), also known internationally as a police clearance certificate, but would prefer not to deal with the formalities yourself? MT Translation Agency can obtain the document on your behalf, whether you live in Poland or are currently abroad. If the certificate is to be used outside Poland, we can also arrange an apostille or legalization, as well as a sworn translation. Contact us and we will help you determine the appropriate procedure and prepare the document for submission to the relevant institution.
What is a criminal record certificate?
A Polish criminal record certificate is an official document issued on the basis of information held in the National Criminal Register (KRK). Internationally, this type of document is often referred to as a police clearance certificate. The Register contains, among other things, information about individuals who have been convicted by a final judgment of criminal or fiscal offenses, as well as other data specified by the regulations governing the KRK.
If the search shows no relevant entries within the scope of the inquiry, the certificate confirms this status as of the date of issue. KRK information can be requested for both individuals and collective entities, such as companies.
Request an instant, free quote
Receive a personalized quote for obtaining a criminal record certificate within minutes of submitting the form.
Who needs a police clearance certificate and when?
A Polish criminal record certificate may be required by an employer, government authority, or another institution. It is most commonly needed for:
- employment in a position requiring proof of a clean criminal record,
- jobs or activities involving education, childcare, care of minors, sports, or healthcare,
- obtaining certain professional qualifications, licenses, or permits,
- taking up employment abroad,
- applying for a visa, residence permit, or as part of other immigration procedures,
- certain administrative proceedings or procedures related to running a business.
Requirements concerning a police clearance certificate may vary depending on its purpose, the country in which it will be used, and the institution to which it will be submitted.
Where and how can you obtain a criminal record certificate?
If you need a paper police clearance certificate from Poland, you can authorize us to obtain it on your behalf. Based on a written power of attorney, MT Translation Agency will handle the formalities for you, whether you live in Poland or abroad. Depending on your needs, we can also arrange an apostille, legalization, or translation of the document.
The procedure is simple:
- Contact us and provide information about the document you need.
- We will prepare a quotation and provide the information required to process your order.
- You send us the signed power of attorney.
- We submit the application and collect the certificate on your behalf.
- If necessary, we arrange an apostille, legalization, or translation.
- Once completed, the documents are shipped free of charge within Poland to an InPost Parcel Locker or the address you provide. International shipments are sent using another selected courier service. Documents may also be collected in person.
You can also obtain the certificate yourself:
- online via the e-KRK system - after creating an account and signing the application using a Trusted Profile or qualified electronic signature. The document is issued electronically, and a printed copy is not considered an official paper document,
- in person at a KRK information point - a paper certificate can be obtained from the National Criminal Register Information Office in Warsaw or from any KRK Information Point,
- by mail - a signed application together with proof of payment can be sent to the National Criminal Register Information Office or a selected KRK Information Point, and the completed certificate will be returned by mail.
How much does a criminal record certificate cost and how long does it take to obtain one?
The prices below are our service fees for assisting with obtaining a Polish police clearance certificate from the KRK:
- standard service (5-7 business days): PLN 246.00 gross per document,
- priority service (3-5 business days): PLN 307.50 gross per document,
- express service (2-3 business days): PLN 369.00 gross per document,
- super express service (1-2 business days): PLN 492.00 gross per document.
The following official fees are charged in addition to our service fee: PLN 30 for the issuance of information from the KRK and a PLN 17 stamp duty for the power of attorney.
The processing times above apply to standard cases. If additional clarification is required before the document can be issued, the processing time may be longer.
For citizens of other EU Member States, the KRK additionally requests information from the criminal register of the person’s country of citizenship. The foreign register has up to 20 business days to respond, so the overall processing time may be extended.
How long is a police clearance certificate valid?
The regulations governing the National Criminal Register do not specify a single general validity period for a criminal record certificate. How recent the document must be depends on the applicable regulations or the requirements of the institution to which it will be submitted.
In practice, before ordering a Polish police clearance certificate, it is advisable to check whether the receiving institution requires a document issued no more than a specified number of weeks or months before submission.
What does a criminal record certificate look like?
A certificate from the National Criminal Register primarily contains:
- details of the person to whom the document relates,
- information allowing the person to be clearly identified,
- the scope of the inquiry submitted to the KRK,
- information on the result of the search in the Register,
- the date of issue and details of the authority providing the information.
If the person is not listed in the KRK within the scope covered by the inquiry, the document contains an appropriate statement confirming this fact.
Police clearance certificate for use abroad
If a Polish police clearance certificate is to be submitted to a foreign employer, government authority, university, court, or another institution, you should verify not only how recent the document must be but also whether it requires authentication.
Depending on the country and intended purpose, the document may additionally require an apostille, legalization, or translation.
Apostille and legalization of a criminal record certificate
In Poland, an apostille for a police clearance certificate issued by the KRK is obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the case of legalization, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs first authenticates the document, which must then be submitted to the diplomatic mission of the destination country. Please note that the original paper KRK certificate is required for either procedure. An apostille or legalization cannot be obtained for a printed copy of an electronic document.
If you need a Polish criminal record certificate with an apostille or legalization, MT Translation Agency can handle both obtaining the document from the KRK and the subsequent apostille or legalization procedure. This means you do not have to arrange each stage separately.
Sworn translation of a police clearance certificate
If the document is to be submitted to a foreign institution or company, a sworn translation or a standard translation may be required. MT Translation Agency provides translations in more than 50 languages and can assist you in preparing your Polish police clearance certificate for use abroad.
How can you obtain a criminal record certificate while abroad?
If you are outside Poland, you can authorize MT Translation Agency to obtain a paper police clearance certificate from Poland on your behalf. Based on a power of attorney, we will handle the formalities in Poland and, if necessary, also arrange an apostille, legalization, and translation of the document.
Alternatively, you can obtain the certificate yourself online through the e-KRK system or by mailing an application to Poland.
Can citizens of other countries obtain a Polish police clearance certificate?
Yes. A citizen of a non-EU country may request information from Poland’s National Criminal Register under the standard application procedure.
The procedure is slightly different for citizens of another EU Member State. In such cases, the Polish KRK is required to request information from the criminal register of the person’s country of citizenship and attach the information received from that register.
Criminal record certificate for a company or other collective entity
The National Criminal Register also issues information concerning collective entities, commonly referred to as a criminal record certificate for a company. MT Translation Agency can assist in obtaining a paper KRK document concerning a company or another collective entity and, if necessary, in preparing it for use abroad.
Unsure which documents you need?
We’ll help you determine which formalities apply to your case and provide you with a personalized quote.
Obtain a police clearance certificate with the assistance of MT Translation Agency
If you do not want to handle the formalities yourself or you are currently outside Poland, we can obtain a Polish criminal record certificate from the KRK on your behalf.
Depending on your needs, we can combine several stages into one comprehensive service:
- obtaining a paper KRK certificate through an authorized representative,
- obtaining an apostille or completing the legalization procedure for the destination country,
- providing a sworn or standard translation.
Complete the contact form to receive a free quotation. We will confirm the required procedure, processing time and total cost before you place your order.
