Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued by the internal affairs authorities confirming that a person currently has no criminal record and is not wanted, or that any previous convictions have been legally cleared. It is one of the most commonly requested 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;
- Getting married.
What is a Police Clearance Certificate in Georgia?
The full official name of the police clearance certificate in Georgia is “Certificate of No Criminal Record” (“ნასამართლობის შესახებ ცნობა წარმოადგენს”). The document is often referred to in short as a “Criminal Record Certificate”.
The issuance of police clearance certificates in Georgia is regulated by Order No. 892 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia dated June 25, 2007, “On Approval of the Procedure for Issuing by the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia a Pledge Registration Certificate, a Certificate of No Criminal Record, and a Vehicle Legal Status Certificate”, as well as other regulatory acts.
A police clearance certificate is a paper or electronic document issued by the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia based on data contained in the databases of the Information and Analytical Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The certificate is issued in the Georgian language.
Upon request, several types of certificates may be issued:
- Criminal Record Certificate (basic – contains information on convictions and ongoing investigations);
- Certificate of Conviction;
- Certificate of Expungement or Cancellation of a Criminal Record;
- Certificate regarding convictions for sexual offenses.
In addition, there is a simplified version of the certificate, which is issued by Georgian consular offices abroad.
How to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Georgia
Police clearance certificates in Georgia can be obtained in the following ways:
- through the online service of the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs after authorization;
- at the Service Agency centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Electronic certificate
An electronic certificate can be requested via a personal account in the online service of the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
To apply for a police clearance certificate through the online service:
- Log in to the system;
- Select the type of service;
- Fill out and submit the application;
- Pay the fee;
- Receive the certificate.
Paper certificate
To obtain a paper version of the certificate, the applicant must personally, or through an authorized representative, visit a Service Agency center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
To request a paper certificate at a Service Agency center:
- Visit the center with an identity document and a receipt of the fee payment;
- Submit the application;
- Receive the certificate.
Certificate via power of attorney
A police clearance certificate can also be requested through a power of attorney. The applicant’s representative must present their own identity document, the power of attorney authorizing them to act on behalf of the applicant, as well as copies of both the power of attorney and the applicant’s identity document.
Certificate through a consulate
To obtain a police clearance certificate through a Georgian consulate or the consular section of the Georgian embassy abroad, the following documents must be submitted personally or via an authorized courier service:
- Application;
- Passport (in person) or a copy of it (remotely).
When obtaining a police clearance certificate, it is essential to carefully check all personal information. Any error or typo will make the document invalid.
Processing time for a Police Clearance Certificate in Georgia
The overall processing time is from one to two months, depending on the city, the specifics of the request, and the need for legalization and delivery.
How to verify the authenticity of a Police Clearance Certificate?
The authenticity of a police clearance certificate issued by the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia can be verified using a special online service.
Apostille on a Police Clearance Certificate in Georgia
Since 2006, Georgia has been a party to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, which abolishes the requirement for legalization of foreign official documents (“Apostille Convention”).
An apostille is an internationally standardized form confirming the authenticity 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, electronic apostilles (e-Apostille) have also become common — a digital mark verifying the authenticity of documents issued in electronic form.
The Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia is authorized to affix apostilles to the documents it issues. This service must be requested separately. To obtain an apostille, one must visit a Service Agency center.
An apostille cannot be affixed to a police clearance certificate issued by Georgian consular offices, as the apostille procedure does not apply to consular documents. As a result, official authorities in many countries may refuse to accept such certificates. Before obtaining this type of document, it is recommended to check with the specific organization whether it will accept it.
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 Georgia
If the country where a Georgian police clearance certificate is to be used is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, such as the UAE, the document must go through a more complex and costly consular legalization process.
Consular legalization is a multi-step procedure for verifying the authenticity of a document, used for countries that are not members of the 1961 Hague Convention.
To legally certify a Georgian police clearance certificate for use abroad, the following steps must be followed:
- Obtain the certificate;
- Submit it to the Public Service Development Agency for certification;
- Legalize the document at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia;
- Have the document translated and notarized;
- 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 lengthy and quite expensive. Some countries do not have consulates in Georgia, meaning the final legalization step may need to be completed in another country where the 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 Georgian Police Clearance Certificate
A Georgian police clearance certificate is usually issued in the Georgian language. 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.
The translation must fully match the original document, including accurate rendering of personal data (full name, date of birth, and other details). Special attention should be paid to the correct transliteration of names and surnames, as discrepancies with passport data may result in the document being rejected.
If the document bears an apostille, the translation must cover both the certificate itself and the text of the apostille.
A translation made within Georgia (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 Georgia, 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.
