Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued by the internal affairs authorities confirming that a person currently has no criminal record, is not wanted for criminal offenses, or that any previous convictions have already been expunged. It is one of the most commonly required documents for international mobility.
A Police Clearance Certificate is often required in the following situations:
- Obtaining a visa;
- Applying for a temporary residence permit;
- Applying for a residence permit;
- Obtaining citizenship;
- Employment;
- Admission to an educational institution;
- Background checks for adoption or guardianship;
- Providing evidence in court;
- Marriage registration.
What is a Criminal Record Certificate in Kazakhstan?
The full official name of the criminal record certificate in Kazakhstan is “Certificate of the Presence or Absence of a Criminal Record” (“Соттылығының болуы немесе болмауы туралы анықтама”). It is commonly referred to as a “Criminal Record Certificate.”
The issuance of criminal record certificates in Kazakhstan is regulated by the Rules for the provision of the public service “Issuance of a Certificate of the Presence or Absence of a Criminal Record,” approved by Order No. 64 of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated May 18, 2020, as well as other regulatory acts.
A criminal record certificate is a paper or electronic document generated based on data from the archives of the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its territorial divisions. The certificate is issued in Kazakh and Russian.
At the applicant’s request, two types of certificates may be issued:
- For use within Kazakhstan — in electronic form;
- For use abroad — in paper form under the “one application” principle, together with the public service “Apostille of official documents issued by prosecution, investigation, and inquiry authorities.”
In addition, there is a simplified version of the criminal record certificate issued by Kazakh consular institutions abroad.
How to obtain a Criminal Record Certificate in Kazakhstan
Criminal record certificates in Kazakhstan can be requested in the following ways:
- Via the e-Government web portal www.egov.kz or through a mobile device (mGov app);
- Using a one-time SMS password service on the e-Government portal www.egov.kz;
- Through the Telegram bot “EgovKzBot”;
- At the State Corporation “Government for Citizens.”
If a certificate is ordered online in paper form, it must still be collected in person at the State Corporation “Government for Citizens.”
Electronic Certificate
An electronic certificate can be requested via government online services or through the State Corporation “Government for Citizens.” The result is delivered to the user’s personal account as a document signed with the electronic digital signature of an authorized official.
Paper Certificate
A paper certificate can be requested either through government online services or directly at the State Corporation “Government for Citizens.”
Certificate by power of attorney
A criminal record certificate may also be issued based on a notarized power of attorney. When submitting the request, the representative must present an identity document, a document authorizing them to act on behalf of the applicant (power of attorney), as well as a copy of the applicant’s identity document.
Personal data (surname, first name, patronymic (if applicable), date (day, month, year), and place of birth) are reflected in the certificate in accordance with the data from the State Database “Individuals.”
The certificate includes information on any outstanding or unexpunged criminal record of the individual, in accordance with Articles 79 and 89 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, regardless of the region of application, as of the date of verification.
The information contained in the certificate cannot be used for making procedural decisions in criminal cases, for conducting special background checks on persons authorized to perform public functions and persons equated to them, or for assessing restrictions related to criminal liability as предусмотрено by law. In such cases, information must be requested through procedures specifically established by legislation.
The certificate includes the applicant’s surname, first name and patronymic (if applicable), date and place of birth, and information on the presence or absence of a criminal record.
To order a criminal record certificate via the e-Government web portal www.egov.kz using a digital signature (EDS), you need to:
- Log in to the portal or register;
- Click the “Order Service Online” button;
- Fill in the electronic request form;
- Sign the application using an electronic digital signature (EDS);
- Check the notification on the processing of your application in your personal account (under “Service History”), which will be delivered within the specified time.
To order using a one-time password, you need to:
- Log in to the portal or register;
- Click the “Order Service Online” button;
- Fill in the electronic request form;
- Complete and sign the application using a one-time SMS password (sent to the phone number linked to your personal account; registration in the mobile citizens database is required);
- Check the notification on the processing of your application in your personal account (under “Service History”), which will be delivered within the specified time.
To order a combined service for obtaining a paper certificate with an apostille, you need to:
- Log in and click the “Order Service Online” button;
- Fill in the electronic request signed with the applicant’s EDS or confirmed by a one-time password (if the applicant’s mobile number is linked to the portal account), including selecting issuance for use abroad and choosing the branch of the State Corporation where the paper result will be collected.
If an apostille is required, you must additionally select the name of the foreign country (where the document will be used under the “one application” principle) and pay the state fee.
To order through the State Corporation “Government for Citizens,” you need to:
- Visit a service center of the State Corporation “Government for Citizens”;
- Submit an application (including the following details: surname, first name, patronymic (if applicable), date of birth (day, month, year), and, if necessary, previous personal data in case of changes; the individual identification number of the person for whom the certificate is requested; and specify whether the certificate is required in electronic or paper form);
- Provide an identity document (and, if necessary, documents confirming family relationship or a notarized power of attorney).
Criminal Record Certificate through a consulate
To obtain a criminal record certificate through a Kazakh consulate or the consular section of an embassy abroad, the following documents must be provided:
- An application;
- A copy of the passport;
- A copy of the residence permit (if applicable);
- A printed electronic certificate of the presence or absence of a criminal record issued via the www.egov.kz portal;
- Proof of payment of the consular fee;
- A return envelope.
When receiving a criminal record certificate, it is essential to carefully verify all personal data. Any error or typo will render the document invalid.
How to verify the authenticity of a Criminal Record Certificate
You can verify the authenticity of the document on egov.kz, as well as through the mobile application of the e-Government portal.
Apostille on a Criminal Record Certificate from Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has been a party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents (the “Apostille Convention”) since 2001.
An apostille is an internationally standardized form certifying the legality of a document for use in countries that recognize this form of legalization. It usually appears as a special stamp or certificate.
In recent years, the electronic apostille (e-Apostille) has also become widespread — a digital certification confirming the authenticity of documents issued electronically.
In Kazakhstan, the Prosecutor General’s Office is responsible for apostilling criminal record certificates.
To have a criminal record certificate apostilled, the relevant service must be requested at the time of submitting the application for the certificate.
An apostille cannot be affixed to criminal record certificates issued by Kazakh consular institutions, as the apostille procedure does not apply to consular documents. As a result, authorities in many countries may refuse to accept such certificates. Before obtaining such a document, it is advisable to confirm with the relevant institution whether it will be accepted.
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 legalization of a Criminal Record Certificate from Kazakhstan
If the country where a Kazakh criminal record certificate will be used is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention (for example, the UAE), a more complex and costly consular legalization procedure is required.
Consular legalization is a multi-step process used to confirm the authenticity of documents for countries that are not parties to the 1961 Hague Convention.
To complete consular legalization of a Kazakh criminal record certificate, the following steps must be followed:
- Obtain the certificate;
- Submit the certificate to the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Provide an identity document with a copy (and, if necessary, a copy of the authorization document) and proof of payment of the fee;
- Legalize the document at the Consular Service Department;
- Prepare a notarized translation of the document;
- Legalize the document at the consulate or consular section of the embassy of the destination country.
Due to the number of steps involved, this procedure is time-consuming and relatively expensive. Some countries do not have consulates in Kazakhstan, and the final stage of legalization may need 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 Police Clearance Certificate from Kazakhstan
The Police Clearance Certificate from Kazakhstan is issued in Kazakh and/or Russian. To use it abroad, an official translation must be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the destination country — by a sworn, certified, notary, or court-approved translator recognized in that country.
A translation made within Kazakhstan (except in cases of consular legalization) will most likely not be accepted abroad.
Document delivery
After obtaining a Criminal Record Certificate, as well as completing its apostille or legalization, it is often necessary to send the document to another country. In such cases, not only speed but also security is essential, especially when dealing with original official documents.
Schmidt & Schmidt provides international document delivery services worldwide. We use reliable logistics solutions and modern tracking systems, allowing you to monitor the shipment at every stage and ensuring timely delivery to the recipient.
Our specialists ensure careful and confidential handling of documents and assist in resolving any issues that may arise during international shipping, including carrier requirements and customs clearance procedures.
We can arrange delivery of Criminal Record Certificates, apostilled documents, translations, and other official papers to most countries worldwide — both for private clients and for legal entities and organizations.
How can we help?
We will be happy to assist you with obtaining a Criminal Record Certificate in Kazakhstan, including document retrieval, apostille, and legalization for use abroad, as well as translation and delivery to any country worldwide.
You can always обратиться to Schmidt & Schmidt. We have extensive experience in obtaining and legalizing various types of documents and provide a full range of services in this field, including notarized copies, translation, preparation of powers of attorney, legalization of documents with government authorities and foreign consulates, as well as delivery of completed documents to most countries around the world.
You can learn more about the legalization and apostille procedures on our website.
