A criminal record certificate is an official document issued by internal affairs authorities confirming that, at the time of issue, a person has no criminal convictions and is not wanted in connection with criminal proceedings, or that any previous convictions have been spent. It is one of the most frequently requested documents in connection with international mobility.
A criminal record certificate may be required in the following situations:
- Applying for a visa;
- Applying for a temporary residence permit;
- Applying for a permanent residence permit;
- Applying for citizenship;
- Employment;
- Admission to an educational institution;
- Background checks for adoption and guardianship;
- Submitting evidence in court proceedings;
- Getting married.
What is a criminal record certificate in Uzbekistan?
The current full official title of a criminal record certificate in Uzbekistan is ‘Certificate of the Presence (Absence) of a Criminal Record’. The abbreviated name of the document is ‘Criminal Record Certificate’.
The issuance of criminal record certificates in Uzbekistan is governed by the Administrative Regulations for the Provision of the State Service for Issuing Criminal Record Certificates (Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 797 of 4 October 2018) and other regulatory legal acts.
A criminal record certificate is a paper or electronic document generated on the basis of information stored in the databases of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The certificate is issued in Uzbek.
Depending on the purpose of the application and the applicant’s status, two main types of certificates may be issued:
- Electronic;
- Paper.
The certificates contain information about current criminal convictions, convictions for which the rehabilitation period has expired, spent convictions, as well as the termination of criminal proceedings on non-exonerating grounds.
Criminal record certificates can be obtained through the standard procedures within Uzbekistan or requested through a consulate.
How to obtain a criminal record certificate in Uzbekistan
A criminal record certificate can be requested within Uzbekistan in the following ways:
- In electronic format via the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services (EPIGU);
- In paper format through a Public Services Centre.
The authority responsible for issuing criminal record certificates is the Ministry of Internal Affairs (the Information Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the regional departments of internal affairs).
The certificate can be obtained in person or through a representative acting under a power of attorney.
Applying for an electronic certificate
A certificate requested via the EPIGU service is sent as a digital document to the applicant’s email address.
To request a criminal record certificate via EPIGU, you must:
- Visit the EPIGU portal;
- Use an electronic digital signature;
- Submit an application containing your full name, passport details, personal identification number, date of birth, place of birth, residential address, email address and telephone number;
- Pay the state fee;
- Submit the application;
- Receive the certificate.
Applying for a paper certificate
To obtain a paper certificate, you must visit a Public Services Centre in person.
To request a criminal record certificate through a Public Services Centre, you must:
- Visit a Public Services Centre;
- Complete an application containing your full name, passport details, personal identification number, date of birth, place of birth, residential address, email address and telephone number;
- Submit the application;
- Pay the state fee;
- Receive the certificate.
Applying for a certificate under a power of attorney
A criminal record certificate can also be obtained under a power of attorney. When submitting the application, the applicant’s representative must present an identity document and a document authorising them to represent the applicant’s interests (a notarised power of attorney), and provide a copy of the represented person’s identity document.
Obtaining a criminal record certificate through a consulate
If a citizen is abroad, they can initiate the process of requesting a criminal record certificate through a consulate. In practice, however, this procedure usually takes a considerable amount of time.
When obtaining extracts and criminal record certificates, it is important to check all personal details carefully. Any error or typo will render the document invalid.
Processing time for a criminal record certificate in Uzbekistan
The overall processing time ranges from one to two months, depending on the city, the specific nature of the request, the need for legalisation and the delivery address.
Apostille on a criminal record certificate in Uzbekistan
Since 2011, Uzbekistan has been a party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the ‘Apostille Convention’).
An apostille is an internationally standardised form used to certify the authenticity of a document for presentation in countries that recognise this form of legalisation. It usually takes the form of a special stamp or certificate. In recent years, however, electronic apostilles (e-Apostilles) have also become increasingly common. An e-Apostille is a special digital endorsement confirming the authenticity of documents issued in electronic form.
Criminal record certificates issued in Uzbekistan are apostillised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (previously, this responsibility lay with the Prosecutor General’s Office).
What is an apostille?
What is an apostille? Why do I need an apostille? How do I get an apostille? - Our video will explain everything you need to know about the apostille. If you have a document that needs to be certified with an apostille for use abroad, Schmidt and Schmidt will assist you! We provide apostille services in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Consular legalisation of a criminal record certificate in Uzbekistan
If the country in which the criminal record certificate issued in Uzbekistan is to be used is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, for example the UAE, the document must undergo the more complex and expensive procedure of consular legalisation.
Consular legalisation is a multi-stage procedure for certifying the authenticity of a document, used for countries that are not parties to the 1961 Hague Convention.
To have a criminal record certificate issued in Uzbekistan legalised through the consular procedure, the following steps must be completed:
- Obtain the certificate;
- Have a notarised copy of the certificate prepared;
- Have the notary’s signature certified by the justice authorities;
- Have the document legalised by the Consular and Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan;
- Obtain a notarised translation of the document;
- Have the document legalised at the consulate or consular section of the embassy of the destination country.
Due to the large number of steps involved, this procedure is time-consuming and quite expensive. Some countries do not have consulates in Uzbekistan, so the final stage of legalisation may have to be completed in another country where the relevant consulate is located.
What is consular legalization?
In our video we are explaining what consular legalization is and where to apply for it.
Schmidt & Schmidt will assist you in all issues concerning the legalization.
Schmidt & Schmidt offers legalization in more than 80 countries all over the world.
Official translation of a criminal record certificate issued in Uzbekistan
A criminal record certificate issued in Uzbekistan may be provided in either Uzbek or Russian, depending on the application procedure and the option selected when requesting the document.
The translation must correspond fully to the original, including all seals, stamps and other details. Particular attention should be paid to the accurate rendering of personal details, which must match the applicant’s passport.
Since Uzbekistan is a party to the 1993 Minsk Convention, no apostille is required, and only the text of the certificate itself needs to be translated.
Document delivery
After obtaining a criminal record certificate and having it apostillised or legalised, it is often necessary to send the document to another country. In such cases, not only speed but also the security of delivery is important, particularly when original official documents are involved.
Schmidt & Schmidt arranges international document delivery worldwide. We use reliable logistics solutions and modern tracking systems, allowing shipments to be monitored at every stage of their journey and helping ensure timely delivery to the recipient.
Our specialists handle documents carefully and confidentially and help resolve any issues that may arise during international shipping, including carrier requirements and customs clearance procedures.
We can arrange delivery of completed criminal record certificates, documents bearing an apostille, translations and other official papers to most countries worldwide, both for private clients and for law firms and organisations.
How can we help?
We will be pleased to assist you in obtaining a criminal record certificate in Uzbekistan, including requesting the document on your behalf, apostillising and legalising it for use abroad, as well as arranging its translation and delivery anywhere in the world.
You can always contact Schmidt & Schmidt. We have extensive experience in obtaining and legalising a wide range of documents and provide all the necessary services in this area, including preparing notarised copies, translations and powers of attorney, legalising documents with government authorities and consulates of foreign states, and delivering completed documents to most countries worldwide.
You can find out more about the legalisation and apostillisation procedures on our website.
