Criminal Record Certificate is an official document issued by the internal affairs authorities confirming that a person currently has no criminal convictions, is not under criminal investigation or wanted, or that any previous convictions have already been expunged. It is one of the most commonly required documents for international mobility.
A Criminal Record Certificate may be 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 Armenia?
The full official name of the Criminal Record Certificate in Armenia is currently: “Certificate on the Presence of Criminal Record and Investigations in the Republic of Armenia” («Հայաստանի Հանրապետությունում դատվածության և հետախուզման առկայության մասին տեղեկանք»).
The document is often referred to in a shorter form as: “Criminal Record Certificate”.
The issuance of a Criminal Record Certificate in Armenia is regulated by Government Resolution No. 1561-N dated November 25, 2010, “On Approval of the Procedure for Providing Information on Criminal Records and Investigations in the Republic of Armenia to Foreign States”, as well as other regulatory acts.
A Criminal Record Certificate is a paper or electronic document containing information from the databases of the Information Center of the Police of the Republic of Armenia. Within Armenia, it is issued by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and abroad — by Armenian consular institutions.
In Armenia, a Criminal Record Certificate is issued in two languages: Armenian and, at the applicant’s choice, English, German, Spanish, Russian, or French.
Depending on the applicant’s needs and circumstances, the certificate can be obtained in two forms:
- Standard form, issued within Armenia;
- Issued by an Armenian consular institution abroad.
How to obtain a Criminal Record Certificate in Armenia
Criminal Record Certificates in Armenia can be requested in the following ways:
- In person, by prior electronic appointment;
- By mail, after предварительной электронной записи.
Paper Certificate
To obtain a Criminal Record Certificate in paper form, you need to register in the electronic consular system at https://consular.e-gov.am/ and submit an application. After that, you can either schedule an in-person appointment or request delivery of the certificate by mail.
Electronic Certificate
To obtain a Criminal Record Certificate in digital format, you need to register in the electronic consular system at https://consular.e-gov.am/ and submit an application. After processing, a PDF document without a signature will be available in Armenian and a second selected language. It can be verified using a QR code.
Applying via power of attorney
A Criminal Record Certificate can also be obtained through a notarized 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), as well as provide copies of both their own document and the applicant’s document.
Step-by-Step procedure for obtaining a Certificate
- Register in the electronic consular system (with tracker protection disabled in your browser);
- Select the service “Issuance of a Certificate on the Presence of Criminal Record and Investigations”;
- Complete the application form;
- Schedule a personal visit to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or request delivery of the certificate by mail (via the “preferred method of delivery” field);
- Pay the state fee;
- Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in person with your passport to submit the application and later collect the certificate (or, alternatively, receive it by mail or download the unsigned version from your personal account).
Personal application for a Criminal Record Certificate is available to individuals aged 16 and over (parents, spouses, siblings, or adult children may apply on their behalf if necessary). For children aged 14 and above, the certificate can be requested by a parent or legal representative.
Obtaining a Criminal Record Certificate through a consulate
To obtain a Criminal Record Certificate through an Armenian consulate or consular section of an embassy abroad, the following documents must be submitted either in person or by registered mail:
- Application form;
- Passport (or a copy of it);
- Notarized power of attorney (if applicable);
- A notarized copy of a document confirming the right to stay in the given country (if not indicated in the passport);
- Receipt confirming payment of the fee;
- A color passport-sized photograph.
When receiving Criminal Record Certificates, it is important to carefully check all personal details. Any error or typo may render the document invalid.
Processing time for a Criminal Record Certificate in Armenia
The standard processing time is from one to two months, depending on the city, specifics of the request, the need for legalization, and the delivery address.
How to verify the authenticity of a Criminal Record Certificate?
The authenticity of a Criminal Record Certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia can be verified using a dedicated online service.
Apostille for a Criminal Record Certificate in Armenia
Since 1993, Armenia has been a party to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents (the “Apostille Convention”).
An apostille is an internationally standardized form certifying 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, the electronic apostille (e-Apostille) has also become widespread — a digital certification confirming the authenticity of documents issued in electronic form.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia is authorized to apostille Criminal Record Certificates issued by its Consular Department.
An apostille cannot be affixed to Criminal Record Certificates issued by Armenian consular institutions abroad, as the apostille procedure does not apply to consular documents. As a result, many foreign authorities may refuse to accept such certificates. Before obtaining this type of document, it is recommended to check with the relevant authority 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 in Armenia
If the country where the Criminal Record Certificate from Armenia will be used is not a party to the Hague Convention of 1961 (for example, the UAE), a more complex and costly procedure of consular legalization is required.
Consular legalization is a multi-step process of certifying the authenticity of a document for use in countries that are not part of the 1961 Hague Convention.
To complete consular legalization of a Criminal Record Certificate from Armenia, the following steps must be followed:
- Obtain the certificate;
- Legalize the document at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia;
- Prepare a notarized translation of the document (if it is issued in another language);
- Legalize the document at the consulate or consular section of the destination country’s embassy.
Due to the number of steps involved, this procedure is time-consuming and relatively expensive. Additionally, some countries do not have consulates in Armenia, so 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 an armenian Police Clearance Certificate
The Police Clearance Certificate from Armenia is issued in Armenian. 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 translator recognized in that country.
A translation made within Armenia (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 Armenia, 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.
