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A police clearance certificate in Ukraine (officially, an extract on the absence of a criminal record) confirms that a person has no criminal record and is not wanted. The extract can be ordered online for free — via the Diia app or the services.mvs.gov.ua portal: an electronic extract is issued within minutes or one day, a paper one within up to 10 business days. For use abroad you need the paper extract (the electronic one cannot be apostilled), and since 1 January 2023 the apostille on it is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Etalon translation bureau handles obtaining the extract, the apostille, and a sworn or notarized translation end to end — remotely across Ukraine.
Document validity calculator
Pick a document and its issue date to see the indicative validity period.
Important: validity counts from the document's ISSUE date, not from the apostille or order date. An apostille has no expiry, but an outdated certificate will not be accepted.
This is a market-practice guide. The accepting institution sets the exact limit – check in advance.
How long is a police clearance certificate valid?
The validity of a police clearance certificate depends on the specific requirements of the institution or country where the document is being submitted. When traveling abroad, it is valid for 90 days. For local use, the validity period is 30 days or more.
When a Police Clearance Certificate is Needed
- Employment: Required when applying for jobs in government institutions or companies with high-security requirements.
- Obtaining a visa or residence permit: A police clearance certificate is often needed when submitting documents for immigration to other countries.
- Obtaining licenses: You may also need to order a police clearance certificate to apply for licenses for firearms, security services, or other similar activities.
- Adoption or guardianship: Mandatory for those who want to take responsibility for a child.
- Obtaining citizenship: A police clearance certificate with an apostille confirms that the applicant has no legal issues.
- Working with children: Required when applying for jobs in schools, kindergartens, and other institutions for minors.
A police clearance certificate from Portugal can also be ordered, with the process handled by our specialists in accordance with the relevant local legal requirements.
How to obtain a police clearance certificate: documents and steps
To obtain a police clearance certificate in Ukraine, you need to provide a copy of your passport or another identity document. Depending on the specific needs and requirements of the destination country, the certificate can be translated into the required language and notarized. Our staff closely monitors the processing of documents, preparing the police clearance certificate as quickly as possible without unnecessary delays. We help you avoid errors related to document translation and can place an apostille, allowing the certificate to be successfully used anywhere in the world for both personal and business matters.
| Criterion | Electronic extract (Diia) | Paper extract |
|---|---|---|
| How to order | Online in Diia or at services.mvs.gov.ua | Online request + pickup or delivery; we can arrange it for you |
| Cost of the extract | Free | Free (apostille and translation billed separately) |
| Turnaround | A few minutes – 1 day | Up to 10 business days (max 30 calendar) |
| Can it be apostilled | No — an electronic extract cannot be apostilled | Yes — issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (since 2023) |
| Best for | Use within Ukraine and online services | Submission abroad (apostille + translation) |
At Etalon, we are ready not only to prepare a police clearance certificate but also to assist with obtaining duplicate documents and solving any other related tasks. In each case, our agency team guarantees qualified service and the desired result, regardless of the complexity of the task at hand. Feel free to contact us-we are always at your service!
