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 Police Clearance Certificate in Ukraine?
The full official name of the Police Clearance Certificate in Ukraine is currently the Extract from the Information and Analytical System “Records of Information on Criminal Liability and Criminal Record” (Vytiah z informatsiino-analitychnoi systemy “Oblik vidomostei pro prytiahnennia osoby do kryminalnoi vidpovidalnosti ta naiavnosti sudymosti”).
The document is often referred to in a shorter form as a “Police Clearance Certificate” (“Vytiah pro nesudymist”). The previously used format issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs is no longer valid.
The issuance of the Police Clearance Certificate in Ukraine is regulated by the “Regulation on the Information and Analytical System ‘Records of Information on Criminal Liability and Criminal Record’”, approved by Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated March 30, 2022, No. 207.
The Police Clearance Certificate is a paper or electronic document generated by the software of the Information and Analytical System (IAS), containing information that is current as of the date and time of its issuance. Each document is assigned a unique electronic identifier (QR code), which provides access via a link to the corresponding verification record in the IAS electronic system.
The Police Clearance Certificate is issued only in Ukrainian.
At the applicant’s request, two types of Police Clearance Certificates can be issued (containing the relevant information):
- On the absence (or presence) of a criminal record (short version);
- On criminal liability, the absence (or presence) of a criminal record, or any restrictions предусмотренные by the criminal procedure legislation of Ukraine.
In addition, a simplified version of the Police Clearance Certificate (“Dovidka pro nesudymist”) may be issued by Ukrainian consular offices abroad.
How to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Ukraine
Police Clearance Certificates in Ukraine can be requested in the following ways:
- through the government services application “Diia” (“Diia”) — in electronic form or as a paper document with delivery;
- through the “Single Window for Citizens” on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine — in electronic form or as a paper document with delivery;
- through the Unified Information System (UIS) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or at the separate registration point No. 062 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the state enterprise “INFOTECH” — in paper form.
A paper Police Clearance Certificate, depending on the application method, can be sent by post or collected in person.
Electronic Police Clearance Certificate
A Police Clearance Certificate issued in electronic form is certified with the electronic seal of the UIS service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and sent to the email address provided by the applicant.
Paper Police Clearance Certificate
To obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in paper form directly from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the applicant must submit a written request in person, present an identity document, and provide a copy of it.
Police Clearance Certificate by power of attorney
A Police Clearance Certificate may also be obtained through a representative under a power of attorney. When submitting the request, the representative must present their identity document, a document authorizing them to act on behalf of the applicant (power of attorney), and provide copies of both their own document and the applicant’s document.
An authorized official of the relevant service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs prints the Police Clearance Certificate on A4 paper (210 × 297 mm) without using special forms.
If the information provided in response to the request consists of two pages, the second page is printed on the reverse side of the sheet. The Police Clearance Certificate is signed by the head of the service (or acting head), stamped, and issued to the applicant. Paper certificates are issued within 10 days; however, if additional verification is required, the processing time may be extended up to 30 days.
To request a Police Clearance Certificate via “Diia”, you need to:
- Open the application and go to the “Services” section;
- Select “Certificates and Extracts” — “Police Clearance Certificate”;
- Choose the type and purpose of the request;
- Fill in your personal details;
- Submit the request.
To request via the “Single Window for Citizens” on the Ministry of Internal Affairs website, you need to:
- Go to the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (to the relevant service page);
- Log in to your personal account using a qualified electronic signature;
- Complete the online application and select the type of Police Clearance Certificate (electronic or paper);
- Provide the delivery address.
Delivery of the Police Clearance Certificate by government authorities is available only within Ukraine; however, we can arrange international delivery to any country worldwide.
Police Clearance Certificates can be obtained by individuals aged 14 and older.
Regional offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and Administrative Service Centers do not issue Police Clearance Certificates. However, Administrative Service Centers may assist with completing the application.
Obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate through a consulate
To obtain a Police Clearance Certificate through a consulate or a consular section of a Ukrainian embassy abroad, the following documents are required:
- Application form;
- International passport with a copy;
- Copy of the internal passport;
- Receipt confirming payment of the consular fee;
- Return envelope.
When receiving a Police Clearance Certificate, it is important to carefully check all personal details. Any error or typo may render the document invalid.
How to verify a Police Clearance Certificate?
The authenticity of a Police Clearance Certificate issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine can be verified using a dedicated online service on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Apostille on a Police Clearance Certificate in Ukraine
Since 2003, Ukraine has been a party to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, which abolishes the requirement for legalization of foreign public documents (the “Apostille Convention”).
An apostille is an internationally standardized form that certifies the legality of a document for use in countries that recognize this type of legalization. It usually appears as a special stamp or certificate. In recent years, an electronic apostille (e-Apostille) has also become widespread — a digital certification confirming the authenticity of electronically issued documents.
In 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine was granted the authority to issue apostilles on both paper and electronic documents. To have a Police Clearance Certificate apostilled, this service must be requested at the time of submitting the application. An electronic apostille is provided as a digital certification, while a paper apostille is issued as a physical stamp.
An apostille cannot be applied to Police Clearance Certificates issued by Ukrainian consulates, as the apostille procedure does not apply to consular documents. Therefore, authorities in many countries may refuse to accept such certificates. Before obtaining this type of document, it is recommended to confirm with the receiving 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 Police Clearance Certificate in Ukraine
If the country where the Police Clearance Certificate from Ukraine will be used is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, for example the UAE, the document must go through a more complex and costly procedure called consular legalization.
Consular legalization is a multi-step process for verifying the authenticity of a document, used for countries that are not members of the 1961 Hague Convention.
To perform consular legalization of a Ukrainian Police Clearance Certificate, the following steps must be followed:
- Obtain the Police Clearance Certificate;
- Make a notarized copy of the certificate;
- Certify the document at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine;
- Legalize the document at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;
- Have the document translated by a notary;
- Legalize the document at the consulate or consular section of the embassy of the destination country.
Due to the many steps involved, the procedure is lengthy and relatively expensive. Some countries do not have consulates in Ukraine, so the final legalization stage may need to be completed in another country where a 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 ukrainian Police Clearance Certificate
The Police Clearance Certificate from Ukraine is issued in Ukrainian. To use it abroad, an official translation must be made in accordance with the laws of the destination country — by a sworn, certified, notary, or court translator recognized in that country.
A translation made within Ukraine (except when using consular legalization) will most likely not be accepted abroad.
Document delivery
After obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate, apostille, or legalization, it is often necessary to send the document to another country. In such cases, both speed and security are critical, especially when handling original official documents.
Schmidt & Schmidt organizes international document delivery worldwide. We use reliable logistics solutions and modern tracking systems, allowing full monitoring of the shipment at every stage and ensuring timely delivery to the recipient.
Our specialists provide careful and confidential handling of documents and assist with any issues that may arise during international shipping, including carrier requirements and customs procedures.
We can arrange delivery of Police Clearance Certificates, apostilled documents, translations, and other official papers to most countries worldwide — for both private clients and legal firms or organizations.
How we can help
We are happy to assist you in obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate from Ukraine, including requesting it, apostilling, and legalizing it for use abroad, as well as providing translation and delivery to any location worldwide.
You can always contact Schmidt & Schmidt. We have extensive experience in requesting and legalizing a wide variety of documents and provide all necessary services in this field, including notarized copies, translations, preparation of required powers of attorney, legalization of documents with government authorities and foreign consulates, and delivery of completed documents to most countries around the world.
For more information about the legalization and apostille process, you can read on our website.
