How to Get a Polish Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Remotely in 2026
How to Get a Polish Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Remotely in 2026
If you previously lived, worked, or studied in Poland, you may be asked to provide a Polish Police Clearance Certificate when applying for a visa, permanent residence, citizenship, employment, or a professional licence abroad.
The document is issued by Poland’s National Criminal Register, known as the Krajowy Rejestr Karny or KRK. Its official name is Informacja o osobie, although it is also commonly referred to as a Zaświadczenie o niekaralności, KRK certificate, Polish criminal record certificate, or Polish PCC.
Depending on the procedure, you may need a Polish police certificate for US immigration, Canadian permanent residence or citizenship, an Australian visa, employment abroad, or certain UK Skilled Worker applications.
If you no longer live in Poland, you do not need to return solely to obtain this document. You can apply from abroad by post, electronically, or through an authorised representative in Poland.
Why a Paper Certificate Is Required for International Use
The e-KRK platform issues electronic certificates as digitally signed XML files. An electronic KRK certificate is valid in its original digital form, but not every immigration authority, employer, or public institution can accept or verify it.
For international use, the paper certificate is usually the safest option. This is particularly important when the receiving authority requires an original document, an apostille, or a certified translation attached to the certificate.
A printout of an electronic XML file is not an original paper certificate. It is only a visual copy of the electronic document and may be rejected by the receiving authority.
For example, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada states that electronic Polish police certificates are not accepted for Canadian immigration applications. Official US immigrant visa guidance also indicates that electronically obtained Polish police certificates may not be accepted.
Always check the document requirements for your specific country and procedure before submitting the application.
The Wet Stamp Requirement
Some foreign authorities require an original paper KRK certificate bearing the appropriate official seal or the name stamp of the person who issued it.
This requirement does not apply to every procedure. However, if the immigration authority, employer, embassy, or licensing body asks for a paper original, a printed XML file will not be accepted as a substitute.
A paper KRK certificate is issued as a physical document. An electronic certificate remains an original only in its digitally signed XML format. An apostille cannot be placed on a photocopy or a printout of an electronic certificate.
If the receiving institution does not clearly state which format it accepts, obtaining the paper version can help you avoid delays and the need to order a second certificate.
The Apostille: When You Need One
If you plan to use your Polish Police Clearance Certificate abroad, the receiving authority may require an apostille.
An apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and seal on a public document, as well as the official capacity of the person who signed it. It does not confirm the contents of the certificate.
Poland is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. A Polish document bearing an apostille can generally be used in another country covered by the Convention without additional consular legalisation.
However, an apostille is not required in every case. The rules depend on the destination country, the purpose of the document, and the requirements of the institution receiving it. Certain public documents exchanged between EU member states, including documents confirming the absence of a criminal record, may be exempt from the apostille requirement.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues apostilles for original paper KRK certificates. An apostille cannot be placed on a photocopy or a printout from an electronic platform.
ONE PLUS can obtain the paper certificate and arrange an apostille when required, without the client having to travel to Warsaw or attend a separate appointment.
Sworn Translation: The Step Many Applicants Miss
A Polish KRK certificate is issued in Polish. If you submit it abroad, the receiving authority may also require a translation into English or another language.
The type of translation depends on the country and the institution handling your case. Some authorities accept a translation prepared by a Polish sworn translator. Others require a translator who is certified or recognised in the destination country.
A Polish sworn translation, known as a tłumaczenie przysięgłe, is prepared by a translator registered with the Polish Ministry of Justice. It includes an official certification confirming that the translation accurately reflects the source document.
Before ordering a translation, confirm which language is required, whether the apostille must also be translated, who is authorised to prepare the translation, and whether the authority needs the paper original.
ONE PLUS can arrange a sworn translation into English or another required language as part of the complete document service.
How to Apply: Remote vs. In Person
There are several ways to obtain a Polish Police Clearance Certificate. The best option depends on where you live, how quickly you need the document, and where it will be submitted.
In Person — If You Are in Poland
You can apply at the KRK Information Bureau in Warsaw or at an authorised KRK information point, usually located in a district or regional court.
You will need to complete the form Zapytanie o udzielenie informacji o osobie, present a valid passport or identity document, and pay the official fee.
In straightforward cases, the paper certificate may be issued during the same visit. If additional checks are required, processing can take longer.
Applying in person is convenient if you are already in Poland. If you live abroad, returning to Poland only to collect one document is usually unnecessary.
Remotely Through an Authorised Representative
Polish regulations allow an authorised representative to apply for and collect a KRK certificate on your behalf under a properly prepared written Power of Attorney.
The representative does not always have to be a licensed attorney. The authorisation must clearly confirm the representative’s right to submit the application and collect the document.
ONE PLUS is a professional legal office based at ul. Piłsudskiego 43 in Wrocław. We help clients obtain paper KRK certificates remotely from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, the Gulf states, the CIS, and other regions.
Before starting the procedure, we confirm the required documents, prepare the Power of Attorney, submit the application, and arrange any additional services requested by the client.
Why e-KRK May Not Work for Foreigners Abroad
The e-KRK platform is useful when the receiving institution accepts a digitally signed XML file. However, it may not be suitable for international applications that require a paper original.
Applicants living outside Poland may also face practical difficulties. Access normally requires a Profil Zaufany or a qualified electronic signature, and the receiving institution must be able to open the XML file and verify its digital signature.
The electronic route may therefore be unsuitable if you need an apostille, a paper document, or a physical certified translation. Language and technical barriers can also make the system difficult to use from abroad.
Before applying through e-KRK, ask the receiving authority whether it accepts the original digitally signed XML file. If it requires a paper certificate, use another application method.
The Full ONE PLUS Remote Process — Step by Step
Step 1 — Contact Us
Contact ONE PLUS by WhatsApp, email, Telegram, Viber, or phone. Tell us where the certificate will be submitted and whether you need an apostille, translation, or international delivery.
We will confirm the documents, expected costs, and estimated processing time before starting the procedure.
Step 2 — Power of Attorney
We prepare a Power of Attorney authorising our representative to submit the KRK application and collect the paper certificate on your behalf.
You will receive clear instructions on how to sign and return the document.
Step 3 — KRK Application
We submit the application to the National Criminal Register and collect the original paper certificate.
Once it has been issued, we can send a scanned copy to you by email.
Step 4 — Apostille
If the receiving authority requires an apostille, we arrange it through the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This step is included only when required for the destination country or procedure.
Step 5 — Sworn Translation
If a translation is needed, we arrange a certified translation into English or another requested language.
Where appropriate, the translation is prepared after the apostille has been issued so that the certificate and apostille can be translated together.
Step 6 — Worldwide Delivery
We send the completed documents using DHL, DPD, FedEx, or another available international courier.
You receive the tracking details after dispatch. A scanned copy can also be sent by email before the originals arrive.
Pricing
The prices below cover ONE PLUS assistance with obtaining and processing the documents:
| Service | Price | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| KRK certificate | 400 PLN | 1–2 business days |
| Apostille service | 250 PLN | 4–7 business days |
| KRK certificate and apostille package | 600 PLN | 7–10 business days |
| International courier | Charged at cost | Dispatched after completion |
Processing times are estimates and may vary depending on additional checks, the workload of the relevant authorities, and the delivery destination.
Before starting, we confirm the scope of the service and the total price in a written agreement. Translation and courier costs are agreed with the client in advance where they are not included in the selected package.
Who This Service Is For
ONE PLUS can assist you if:
you previously lived, worked, or studied in Poland and now need proof of your Polish criminal record abroad;
you live in the United Kingdom or Ireland and have been asked to provide a Polish police certificate;
you are applying for immigration, permanent residence, or citizenship in the United States, Canada, or Australia;
you are relocating within the European Union and need a Polish criminal record certificate for residence, employment, or professional licensing;
you live in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or another Gulf country and your employer requires a Polish certificate with an apostille;
you need a KRK certificate for employment, immigration, or legal proceedings;
you cannot travel to Poland to apply in person;
you tried using e-KRK, but the receiving authority requires a paper original.
Requirements vary between countries and procedures. Always follow the checklist provided by the immigration authority, employer, embassy, consulate, or licensing body handling your case.
Summary
A Polish Police Clearance Certificate can be obtained remotely in 2026 without travelling to Poland.
You may apply electronically, by post, or through an authorised representative. If the document will be used abroad, the paper version is often the most practical choice, particularly when the receiving authority requires an original, apostille, or certified translation.
ONE PLUS can handle the entire process in Poland: preparing the Power of Attorney, obtaining the paper KRK certificate, arranging an apostille and translation where required, and sending the completed documents by international courier.
Contact ONE PLUS
This article is provided for general information. Document requirements vary by country and procedure. For advice based on your situation, contact a ONE PLUS legal adviser.
