Croatia police clearance certificate

If you once lived in Croatia and now apply for a visa, residence, work permit or citizenship in another country, the immigration office will often ask for a Croatian police clearance certificate. We get this certificate for you without you having to travel to Croatia. A licensed Croatian lawyer (attorney) applies for it in Zagreb with your power of attorney. The price is €165 with apostille. You get a scan by email, and the paper original by courier if you want it.

What the Croatian police clearance certificate is

In Croatia, the police do not issue this document. The document that other countries call a “police clearance certificate” or “police certificate” is the criminal record certificate (in Croatian: Potvrda iz kaznene evidencije). Many people call it uvjerenje o nekažnjavanju, which means “certificate of no criminal record”.

It is issued by the Criminal Records Department of the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation in Zagreb. It confirms whether there is an entry in the Croatian criminal records for the person named on it. The version for use abroad is a paper document with the handwritten signature of an authorised official and the Ministry’s stamp.

The certificate is issued in Croatian only. Many immigration offices ask for an apostille, and some also ask for a sworn translation. Our price includes the apostille. If you need a sworn translation, contact us for a price.

Police Clearance Croatia is a private legal service. We are not part of the police, the Ministry or any other government body. We apply for the certificate on your behalf, in the same way you could if you were in Zagreb.

Who needs it

You may need a Croatian police clearance certificate if you lived in Croatia at some point and now:

apply for residence or a visa in Spain, Portugal, Canada, Australia, the UK, New Zealand, the USA or another country
apply for citizenship
apply for a work permit or a job that requires a background check

Most countries ask for a certificate from every country where you lived for a certain period (often 6 or 12 months in total) after a certain age. The exact rule depends on the country and the type of application, so check your own instructions. Our country guides explain the rules for the most common destinations.

Why the e-Građani version does not work abroad

Croatia has an online portal called e-Građani (e-Citizens). People with Croatian login details can download a criminal record certificate there. However, this electronic version is not suitable for most immigration applications:

It has an electronic signature only. It has no handwritten signature and no stamp.
It cannot be apostilled. An apostille can only be placed on a paper original signed and stamped by the issuing authority.
You need Croatian e-Građani login details, which most people who have left Croatia do not have.

To get a certificate that can be apostilled, someone must request it in person at the Ministry in Zagreb. Living abroad, you could also apply through a Croatian embassy or consulate, but that usually means an appointment, travel and waiting. We do the Zagreb part for you.

How we get it without you travelling

Croatian rules allow an attorney to request the certificate for you with a special power of attorney. This power of attorney does not need to be notarised. This is why you can do everything from home:

Fill in the form and upload your passport. Give us the details the Ministry needs. It takes about 10 minutes. You do not pay now.
Sign the power of attorney. We prepare it in Croatian and English. You print it, sign it by hand and upload a scan. We will tell you if the original is also needed.
Pay the invoice. We email you an invoice. Pay it using the details on the invoice. Then our lawyer starts work.
We apply in Zagreb. The lawyer asks the Ministry for your certificate and gets the apostille at the competent court. This usually takes 2–4 working days.
Delivery. We email you a scan of the certificate with the apostille. If you choose it, we also send the paper original to your address by courier.

Read how it works for each step and for what can cause a delay.

What you receive

The original certificate on paper, signed by an authorised official and stamped by the Ministry
An apostille (a stamp from a Croatian court so that other countries accept the document). It is always included.
A colour scan of the certificate with the apostille by email. It is always included.
The paper original by courier to your address, if you choose it (+€10)

The price is €165: €150 for our lawyer’s fee and €15 for the government fee for the apostille. Express costs €50 more (usually within 36 hours). See Prices.

How long is the certificate valid? Croatian law does not set an expiry date. The country that receives it decides how old a certificate it will accept. Many immigration offices accept certificates issued in the last 3 to 6 months, so order when you are close to submitting your application.

What we need from you

Your full name, and any previous names (for example, a name before marriage)
The names of your parents
Your date and place of birth
Your Croatian OIB (personal identification number), if you have one. It is not required.
Your passport number and a clear scan of your passport
When you lived in Croatia
The country the certificate is for and the purpose (for example, permanent residence)
The signed power of attorney
Your address, if you want the paper original by courier

Write your names exactly as they appear in your passport. If your name was written differently in Croatia (for example, on a Croatian residence permit), please tell us. Name differences are one of the most common reasons for delays.

We store your passport scan and documents securely, not on a public server, and delete them after your order is complete. See our privacy policy.

Country guides

Each country has its own rules on apostilles, translations and how recent the certificate must be:

Some countries, for example Canada in certain cases, also ask for a certificate of no criminal proceedings from a Croatian court. This is not part of the online order. Contact us and we will tell you the price.

Questions about the police clearance certificate

Can I apply if I only lived in Croatia for a few months?

Yes. The certificate covers the Croatian criminal records, no matter how long you lived in Croatia. Whether you need it depends on the rules of the country you are applying to.

I don’t have an OIB. Is that a problem?

No. The OIB is not required for this request. We use your name, parents’ names, date and place of birth and passport details.

Do I need to come to Croatia?

No. The lawyer applies for you with your power of attorney, and we send the certificate to you.

What if there is an entry in my record?

The certificate shows what is in the records. If you think there may be an entry, please contact us before ordering, and the lawyer will explain your options.

Order your certificate

Fill in the form and send your order. We email you an invoice, and our lawyer starts work when it is paid. Order now or see prices.

Ready to order your certificate?

The form takes about 10 minutes. You do not pay now. Not sure what you need? Ask us first.

Order now