When You Need a Translated Police Certificate
The police clearance certificate — casier judiciaire, Führungszeugnis, certificado de antecedentes penales, справка о несудимости — proves you have no disqualifying criminal record. It comes up in two directions: foreign certificates for US processes, and certificates for a move abroad.
US immigrant visas (NVC / consular processing)
DS-260 applicants must obtain police certificates from countries where they have lived — with an English translation when the issuing country provides none.
Some US petitions and waivers
Certain USCIS filings and waivers request court and police records; the USCIS certified translation rules apply in full.
Work and residency abroad
US or foreign background checks translated for European residence permits, Gulf work visas, teaching contracts in Asia.
Professional licensing
Nursing boards, bar admissions and financial regulators frequently require translated criminal-record checks.
Table of Contents
The Real Constraint: Validity Windows
Most authorities only accept police certificates issued within the last 3 to 6 months. Request the certificate as late as your process allows, then order the translation immediately — our 24-48h digital delivery exists precisely for this document.
A translation itself does not expire — but it certifies one specific document. If your certificate ages out and you must request a fresh one, the new certificate needs a new translation, so timing the two together saves a second order.
What the Certified Translation Must Cover
- The "no record" statement itself — the core information the officer wants to read, rendered precisely.
- Every stamp, seal, barcode note and signature block — a partial translation is a standard rejection cause.
- Any apostille or legalization attached — translated with the document (why the order matters).
- Name spellings matching your passport — critical for Arabic, Cyrillic and Asian-script certificates.
Your police certificate, translated and certified in 24-48h.
Signed certification statement, PDF first for online submission, paper original by mail. From €36 per page.
Get my certified translation