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How to Get a Non-Criminal Record Certificate in Poland

Whether you are relocating abroad, applying for a residence permit, seeking employment internationally, or simply needing to prove a clean background to a foreign authority — a non-criminal record certificate from Poland, also known as the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), is one of the most frequently demanded documents in cross-border legal procedures. This comprehensive 2026 guide walks you through every step: what the document is, where to get it, how long it takes, what it costs, and how to obtain it entirely remotely without ever visiting Poland.

What is a Non-Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate Poland)?

In Poland, the official equivalent of a Police Clearance Certificate is issued by the Krajowy Rejestr Karny (KRK) — the National Criminal Register. The document is formally called Zaświadczenie o niekaralności (Certificate of No Criminal Record) or, if a criminal history exists, Zaświadczenie o karalności.

It is an official government document confirming whether the named individual has been convicted by a Polish court, has any ongoing legal measures against them, or appears in the register of persons deprived of liberty or wanted by arrest warrant.

“Non-criminal record certificate in Poland”, “Police Clearance Certificate Poland (PCC)”, “KRK certificate”, and “zaświadczenie o niekaralności” all refer to the same document. Foreign institutions may use any of these labels when requesting it from you.

Who Needs a Police Clearance Certificate in Poland?

The PCC Poland is typically required in the following situations:

• Applying for a Karta Pobytu (residence card) or renewing a residence permit in Poland
• Applying for long-term residency or citizenship in Poland or another EU country
• Employment background checks by international companies (UK, Ireland, Germany, Canada, Australia)
• Obtaining a work permit abroad — particularly for regulated professions
• Banking and financial services in countries requiring proof of a clean record
• Visa applications — e.g., Police Clearance Certificate Poland for Spain, Canada, Australia
• Professional licensing in healthcare, law, education, security, and finance
• Adoption procedures and family reunification cases
• Business registration and signing government contracts

What Does the KRK Register Contain?

The National Criminal Register (KRK) is a comprehensive database maintained by the Polish Ministry of Justice. When you request a certificate, authorities can confirm information about:

1. Persons convicted by a final court judgment for criminal or fiscal offenses
2. Persons against whom criminal proceedings were conditionally discontinued
3. Persons against whom proceedings were discontinued based on amnesty
4. Polish citizens validly convicted by courts of other countries
5. Persons subject to final preventive measures in tax or fiscal offense cases
6. Minors subject to educational, correctional, or therapeutic measures
7. Persons validly sentenced to imprisonment
8. Persons wanted by arrest warrant
9. Persons in temporary arrest or serving custodial sentences
10. Minors placed in juvenile detention centers

Applicants may request information from three separate registers: the criminal register (Kartoteka karna), the register of persons deprived of liberty (Kartoteka osób pozbawionych wolności), and the juvenile criminal record (Kartoteka nieletnich).

How to Apply: Three Official Methods

There are three ways to obtain a non-criminal record certificate in Poland.

In Person at a KRK Office

You can submit your application directly at any KRK information point, which are located at county courts across Poland. For EU residents, the certificate is typically issued the same day. A valid identity document is required, and the state fee is 30 PLN for a paper application or 20 PLN for an online submission. The obvious drawback is that you must be physically present in Poland.

Online via the e-KRK System

The e-KRK portal at ekrk.ms.gov.pl allows eligible applicants to receive a PDF certificate with a qualified electronic signature within minutes of payment. This format is fully accepted by all Polish government offices. However, the system requires a Profil Zaufany (Polish trusted e-profile), which most foreigners living abroad do not have and cannot easily obtain remotely.

Via a Licensed Attorney (Recommended for Foreigners)

Only licensed attorneys in Poland have the legal right to submit KRK applications entirely remotely on a client’s behalf — without requiring the client to travel to Poland or send any physical documents by post. This is the most practical and reliable method for the vast majority of foreigners. The attorney handles the entire process: preparation, submission, tracking, and collection of the document.

Required Personal Data for the Application

Regardless of the method chosen, the applicant must provide the following information:

1. All given names
2. Surname (and previous surnames if applicable)
3. Parents’ first names
4. Mother’s maiden name
5. Date and city of birth
6. Citizenship(s)
7. Current residence address

Certificate from Your Country of Origin

Polish voivodeship offices frequently require not only the Polish KRK certificate but also a certificate of no criminal record from the applicant’s country of citizenship. This is standard when applying for a Karta Pobytu or Polish citizenship.

The foreign certificate must be officially translated into Polish by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły). Some countries additionally require an apostille on the document before Polish authorities will accept it. Always confirm this requirement in advance — a missing apostille is one of the most common reasons for procedure delays.

Note for UK and Irish citizens: Obtaining a KRK certificate for UK and Irish nationals takes up to 20 business days. The certificate cannot be issued on the spot and must be requested well in advance of your residency application deadline.

Apostille on a Polish Police Clearance Certificate

If you need the Polish PCC to be recognised by authorities in a country that is a signatory to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention — for example when applying for residency in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Australia, or Canada — you will need an apostille affixed to the document.

In Poland, apostilles on official documents are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MSZ). The process takes 4–7 business days. The apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature and seal, making the document legally valid abroad without any further legalisation.

ONE PLUS offers an end-to-end package that covers both the KRK certificate and the MSZ apostille, with no need for you to manage two separate procedures from abroad.

Validity Period and Common Mistakes to Avoid

A Polish non-criminal record certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Offices will not accept an expired document. It is therefore advisable to request the certificate only when your application for legalisation is nearly ready to be submitted.

Most Frequent Errors That Lead to Rejection

• Submitting the application to the wrong institution (e.g., a district court instead of the KRK)
• Missing certified translation of a foreign-issued document
• Submitting a photocopy — offices require original documents only
• Absent apostille on a certificate issued by a foreign country
• Expired certificate (older than 3 months)
• Incorrect or incomplete personal data on the application form

Costs and Timelines in 2026

ONE PLUS offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees. All services are performed under an official written contract.

Service	Cost	Timeline
Non-criminal record certificate (KRK)	400 PLN	1–2 business days
Apostille (MSZ)	250 PLN	4–7 business days
Full package: certificate + apostille	600 PLN	7–10 business days
International courier (DHL / DPD / FedEx)	At cost	Dispatched same day

Remote Service: How ONE PLUS Handles It for You

ONE PLUS is a legal services company based at ul. Piłsudskiego 43, Wrocław. As a licensed law office, it is legally authorised to submit KRK applications entirely remotely on behalf of foreign clients — no visit to Poland required, no postal submission of documents.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 — Consultation. We confirm the required document type, assess your timeline, and identify any country-specific requirements such as apostille or sworn translation.

Step 2 — Document preparation. We help you compile the necessary personal data. No physical documents need to be sent to us at this stage.

Step 3 — Submission to the KRK. We file the application with the National Criminal Register on your behalf under our attorney authority.

Step 4 — Status tracking. You receive regular updates throughout the process. We notify you as soon as the document is ready.

Step 5 — Apostille (if required). We forward the document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for apostille certification without any additional action required from you.

Step 6 — Worldwide delivery. The original is dispatched via DHL, DPD, or FedEx on the day of receipt. A scanned copy is sent to your email immediately upon collection.

How to Receive Your Document

Once the certificate — and apostille, if ordered — is ready, you have three options:

• In person at our office in Wrocław, ul. Piłsudskiego 43
• By email — a scanned original sent immediately upon receipt, allowing you to begin preliminary procedures without delay
• International courier via DPD, DHL, or FedEx — original dispatched on the same day the document is collected from the authority

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Polish Police Clearance Certificate if I live outside Poland?

Yes. Through a licensed Polish attorney, the entire process can be completed remotely. ONE PLUS regularly handles this for clients in the UK, Ireland, Germany, the US, Canada, India, and throughout Asia and the CIS countries.

How long is a Polish non-criminal record certificate valid?

The KRK certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and must be submitted to the requesting authority before this period expires.

Is the e-KRK electronic certificate accepted by foreign authorities?

The e-KRK PDF with a qualified electronic signature is fully accepted by Polish government offices. For use abroad, requirements differ by country — some accept the electronic version, others require a paper original with a physical seal, and many additionally require an apostille. Always confirm the format requirements with the requesting institution before applying.

How long does it take to get the certificate?

For most applicants, ONE PLUS obtains the KRK certificate within 1–2 business days. For UK and Irish citizens, Polish law requires international record verification, which can extend the timeline to up to 20 business days.

Do I need to send any documents to Poland to start the process?

No. ONE PLUS can initiate the KRK application using only your personal data provided remotely. This is possible exclusively through licensed attorneys, as permitted under Polish law.

What is the difference between a PCC for Poland and a PCC from Poland?

A PCC for Poland is a certificate issued by your country of citizenship that Polish authorities require as part of your residency or visa application. A PCC from Poland is the KRK certificate issued by Polish authorities, typically required when you apply for legal status abroad. Both documents are sometimes required simultaneously.

The information in this article is provided for general reference purposes. For guidance tailored to your specific situation and country of citizenship, please schedule a consultation with a ONE PLUS legal adviser.

ONE PLUS contacts:

WhatsApp: +48 537 272 400
Office: +48 71 880 85 08
Email: [email protected]
Viber: @oneplus_lex
Telegram: @onepluswro_bot