How to Get a Criminal Record Certificate in Poland

How to Get a Criminal Record Certificate in Poland

A criminal record certificate from Poland confirms whether information about a person appears in the Polish National Criminal Register. Abroad, the document may also be called a Polish Police Clearance Certificate, PCC, KRK certificate or certificate of good conduct.

It may be required when applying for a job, visa, residence permit, professional licence or citizenship in another country. The correct format depends on where the document will be submitted. Some institutions accept an electronic certificate, while others require a paper original, an apostille and a certified translation.

If you do not want to deal with the procedure yourself, ONE PLUS can help you obtain a Polish criminal record certificate, arrange an apostille and translation, and send the completed documents anywhere in the world.

What is a Polish KRK certificate?

KRK stands for Krajowy Rejestr Karny, the National Criminal Register maintained by the Polish Ministry of Justice.

The official document is called Informacja o osobie z Krajowego Rejestru Karnego. In everyday Polish, it is usually referred to as zaświadczenie o niekaralności.

The certificate shows whether the person is listed in the register on the date the document is issued. Depending on the case, the register may contain information about final criminal convictions, certain court measures, imprisonment or other entries specified by Polish law.

A Polish KRK certificate does not automatically replace criminal record certificates from other countries. If you have lived in several countries, the institution receiving your documents may ask for a separate certificate from each of them.

When may you need a criminal record certificate?

A Polish criminal record certificate may be requested for:

• employment in Poland or abroad;

• work involving children or vulnerable people;

• regulated professions, including healthcare, education, security and financial services;

• visa and immigration procedures in another country;

• residence or citizenship applications;

• professional licences and permits;

• adoption and some family procedures;

• participation in public tenders;

• banking, compliance and company verification;

• volunteering, internships or university programmes.

A KRK certificate is not a standard attachment to every Polish residence permit application. You should provide it only if it is required for your particular procedure or requested by the authority handling your case.

Before ordering the document, ask the receiving institution:

• whether it needs a paper or electronic certificate;

• how recent the certificate must be;

• whether an apostille or legalisation is required;

• whether a certified translation is needed;

• whether the certificate must cover a particular type of information.

Checking these details in advance can save both time and money.

How can you obtain a KRK certificate?

There are four main ways to request information from the Polish National Criminal Register.

In person

You can submit an application at the KRK Information Office or at one of the KRK information points located in Polish courts.

You will need:

• a completed application form;

• a valid identity document;

• proof of payment of the official fee.

In a straightforward case, a paper certificate is usually issued during the visit. Additional verification may extend the waiting time.

Online through e-KRK

You can apply electronically through the e-KRK system. The official fee for an electronic certificate is lower than for a paper application.

To use the platform, you need an e-KRK account and an accepted electronic identification or signature method. The system states that a response should normally be expected within seven days.

The result is delivered as an electronic file in a downloaded ZIP package. It is not an ordinary PDF certificate. The electronic file is the original document, and a simple printout does not have the same legal status.

This distinction is especially important when the certificate will be used abroad. Many foreign authorities still require a paper original that can receive an apostille.

By post

You can send a completed paper application, proof of payment and any required attachments to the appropriate KRK office.

This option is useful if you cannot visit an office, but it usually takes longer because you need to allow time for both processing and postal delivery. Incorrect payment details or incomplete personal information may also delay the application.

Through a representative

A representative can submit and collect the application on your behalf. Polish law does not require the representative to be an attorney: any natural person with full legal capacity may act in this role.

However, the representative normally needs an original power of attorney written in Polish or an officially certified copy. A scan alone is generally not accepted. A stamp duty of PLN 17 usually applies, although powers of attorney granted to certain close family members are exempt.

Professional support is particularly useful when you live abroad, need an apostille or translation, or must provide the certificate within a specific deadline.

ONE PLUS can review the requirements, prepare the application and power of attorney, obtain the certificate, arrange additional formalities and organise delivery.

What information is required?

The application normally includes:

• all first names;

• current surname;

• previous surnames, if applicable;

• father’s first name;

• mother’s first name;

• mother’s maiden name;

• date and place of birth;

• citizenship;

• PESEL number, if one has been assigned;

• current address;

• the type and scope of information requested.

The details must match your passport or identity document. Differences in spelling, missing previous surnames or an incorrect place of birth may lead to additional questions or an unusable certificate.

When a document is intended for use abroad, it is also helpful to provide ONE PLUS with the name of the country and institution that will receive it. This allows us to check the likely format, apostille and translation requirements before starting the procedure.

How long does it take?

In a standard case, ONE PLUS can obtain a paper criminal record certificate within 1 business day after receiving the complete information and the documents required to act on your behalf.

The usual processing times are:

• criminal record certificate: 1 business day;

• criminal record certificate with apostille: 8–12 business days;

• certified translation: 1–2 business days;

• worldwide courier delivery: 2–4 business days.

These timeframes are calculated in business days and begin once all required information and documents have been received.

Some cases can take longer. For example, applications involving a citizen of another EU Member State may require an additional check through the European Criminal Records Information System. Delays may also occur if the personal information is incomplete or the authority requires clarification.

We work as quickly as possible while keeping every stage legally transparent. Before the procedure begins, you receive clear information about the scope of the service, required documents, price and expected completion time.

Do you need an apostille?

An apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature, seal and official capacity of the person who issued a public document. It is commonly required when a Polish document will be submitted in another country that applies the Hague Apostille Convention.

An apostille does not confirm the contents of the certificate and does not replace a translation. It only authenticates the official origin of the document.

An apostille is not always necessary. Under EU rules, authorities in another EU Member State generally cannot require an apostille for certain public documents, including documents confirming the absence of a criminal record. However, the exact requirements depend on the country, institution and purpose of the procedure.

If the receiving country does not recognise apostilles, consular legalisation may be required instead.

Before ordering a criminal record certificate from Poland, confirm the requirements with the institution that will receive it. ONE PLUS can also help determine which procedure is appropriate.

Is a certified translation required?

A Polish KRK certificate is issued in Polish. If you plan to submit it abroad, the receiving institution may ask for a certified or sworn translation.

The translation should normally include:

• the full contents of the certificate;

• official stamps and annotations;

• the apostille, if one has been added;

• any attached multilingual form.

For this reason, it is usually best to obtain the apostille before ordering the translation. Otherwise, the apostille may have to be translated separately.

ONE PLUS can arrange a certified translation into the required language. The standard processing time is 1–2 business days, depending on the language and length of the document.

Can you use a multilingual standard form?

For certain procedures within the European Union, it may be possible to obtain a multilingual standard form as an attachment to the KRK certificate.

The form can make the document easier to understand in another EU country and may reduce the need for a translation. It does not automatically replace the original certificate, and the receiving authority may still request additional information.

The official fee for issuing a multilingual standard form is PLN 17.

How long is a Polish criminal record certificate valid?

Polish regulations governing the National Criminal Register do not set one universal expiry date for a KRK certificate.

The institution requesting the document decides how recent it must be. Depending on the procedure, you may be asked to provide a certificate issued within the previous month, three months or another specified period.

Do not order the certificate too early. First check the recipient’s rules and plan enough time for an apostille, translation and courier delivery if they are required.

Official fees and ONE PLUS service prices

The official government fee is PLN 30 for a paper certificate and PLN 20 for an electronic e-KRK certificate.

The prices below apply to the ONE PLUS assistance packages:

The final price and scope of work are confirmed before the service begins. If the case requires additional documents, legalisation instead of an apostille or an unusual translation, we will explain the requirements and costs in advance.

How ONE PLUS handles the procedure

We check where the certificate will be used

We first ask about the country, institution and purpose of the document. This helps us determine whether you need a paper or electronic certificate, an apostille, legalisation, a multilingual form or a certified translation.

We prepare the application

We check your personal details and prepare the appropriate KRK application. If a power of attorney is required, we provide instructions on how to sign and send it correctly.

We obtain the certificate

In a standard case, we obtain the paper KRK certificate within 1 business day. Once it is ready, we can send you a scan by email.

We arrange the apostille

If the document will be used abroad and an apostille is required, we handle the procedure with the competent Polish authority. The complete process for a KRK certificate with an apostille normally takes 8–12 business days.

We organise the translation

We can arrange a certified translation into the language required by the receiving institution. The usual translation time is 1–2 business days.

We send the documents worldwide

The original certificate, apostille and translation can be sent by international courier. Delivery usually takes 2–4 business days, depending on the destination and the courier company.

Throughout the process, we keep you informed about the status of the documents and explain each stage in plain language.

How can you receive the certificate?

Once the documents are ready, you can choose one of the following options:

• collect them from the ONE PLUS office in Wrocław;

• receive a scanned copy by email;

• order courier delivery within Poland;

• order international courier delivery.

A scan may help you begin preliminary formalities, but the receiving institution may still require the paper original.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common problems include:

• ordering an electronic certificate when a paper original is required;

• printing the e-KRK electronic file and treating the printout as an original;

• providing incomplete or incorrectly spelled personal details;

• forgetting to include a previous surname;

• ordering the certificate too early;

• assuming that every institution accepts a document issued within the last three months;

• requesting an apostille when it is not needed;

• failing to obtain an apostille or legalisation when it is required;

• translating the certificate before the apostille has been added;

• submitting only a scan of the power of attorney;

• assuming that a Polish KRK certificate covers criminal records from every country.

A short check with the receiving institution before submitting the application can prevent most of these issues.

Frequently asked questions

Can I obtain a Polish criminal record certificate while living abroad?

Yes. You can appoint a representative in Poland to submit and collect the application for you. An original power of attorney or an officially certified copy may be required.

ONE PLUS assists clients living in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Asia and other regions.

Can I get the certificate in one day?

In a standard case, ONE PLUS can obtain a paper KRK certificate within 1 business day after receiving the complete information and required documents.

Additional verification, including checks involving another EU Member State, may extend the processing time.

Is the e-KRK certificate a PDF?

No. The official electronic response is provided in an electronic package, normally downloaded as a ZIP file. The original electronic document should be kept in its original format. A printed copy does not become a valid paper certificate.

Is an electronic certificate accepted abroad?

It depends on the receiving institution. Some authorities accept electronically signed documents, while others require a paper original, an apostille and a certified translation.

Always confirm the accepted format before applying.

Does my representative have to be a lawyer?

No. Any natural person with full legal capacity may act as a representative. However, professional legal assistance can help ensure that the application, power of attorney, apostille and translation are prepared correctly.

Do I always need an apostille?

No. The requirement depends on the country and institution receiving the certificate. In some EU procedures, an apostille cannot be required. In other countries, an apostille or consular legalisation may be necessary.

How long does the apostille process take?

ONE PLUS normally completes the full certificate and apostille procedure within 8–12 business days.

How long does a certified translation take?

A certified translation is usually completed within 1–2 business days. The exact time depends on the language and document length.

How long does international delivery take?

Worldwide courier delivery usually takes 2–4 business days after the documents have been dispatched.

Is a KRK certificate required for every Polish residence permit?

No. It is not a standard mandatory document for every residence permit application. It may be required in a specific case or for another related procedure.

Can ONE PLUS arrange the entire process?

Yes. We can help you obtain the KRK certificate, arrange an apostille or legalisation, order a certified translation and deliver the original documents to your address.

You can find more information about our Polish Police Clearance Certificate service.

Contact ONE PLUS

• WhatsApp: +48 537 272 400
• Office: +48 71 880 85 08
• Email: [email protected]
• Viber: @oneplus_lex
• Telegram: @onepluswro_bot
• Office: ul. Piłsudskiego 43, Wrocław

The information in this article is general and does not replace individual legal advice. Document requirements may vary depending on the country, institution and purpose for which the certificate is requested.