A Non-Criminal Record Certificate from Serbia (also known as a police clearance certificate, certificate of non-conviction, or criminal record certificate) is usually something you don’t think about until a foreign authority asks for it and suddenly, you need to figure it out fast.
In fact, if you're reading this article, our guess is that you've likely:
- spent some time in Serbia, probably on a visa D
- had a registered address / temporary residence here, and
- have since moved on or are in the process of relocating and now, another country is asking you to submit documentation that covers that period of your stay.
This typically comes up when you are applying for a job abroad, buying property, enrolling in a university, or going through an immigration or residence process, and either of these processes tends to raise questions:
How do you actually get this document? And how do you obtain it if you are no longer in Serbia or are unsure which authority handled your registration?
Well, this guide walks you through exactly that, so keep reading to find out all about it.
What is a non-criminal record certificate (police clearance / certificate of non-conviction)?
A non-criminal record certificate, also called the Certificate of Non-Conviction in the Serbian administrative practice, is a document containing data from the criminal records.
In practical terms, it serves as official proof that a person has (or does not have) a criminal record in Serbia, and it is typically used when dealing with foreign authorities that require background checks as part of employment, immigration, or legal procedures.
Who needs a police clearance certificate from Serbia?
A police clearance certificate from Serbia, as explained before, is typically required when a foreign authority asks you to prove that you have no criminal convictions during the period you lived in Serbia.
So, this requirement is not something Serbian law imposes on you by default, but rather something that comes from foreign procedures.
This most commonly happens when you're either:
- moving abroad for work,
- applying for permanent residence or citizenship,
- enrolling in a foreign university, or
- dealing with foreign administrative or licensing bodies,
and that process triggers a requirement for a background check from every country of your residence.
In other words, if you ever had a registered address in Serbia, a long-stay visa (visa D), or temporary residence here, you will very likely be asked to provide a Serbian non-criminal record certificate as part of your documentation in the scenarios above.
How to get a non-criminal record certificate in Serbia?
A Serbian police clearance certificate is ordinarily issued as a formal paper certificate containing data from the criminal records.
In practice, a Serbian certificate of (non-)conviction generally includes:
- the issuing authority (police / Ministry of Internal Affairs organizational unit) and official references (number/date);
- the applicant’s identifying data (as recorded by the authority);
- a statement confirming whether the person has a record of conviction (or confirming “no record,” depending on the outcome and the document format);
- an official signature/stamp (as a public document).
Of course, this document is issued in Serbian, which means that in almost all international procedures it will not be accepted “as is.”
In practice, what is typically required next is a certified translation by a sworn court translator into the language required by the foreign authority (most often English, German, or another official language of the country where the document is being submitted).
Also, depending on the country and the procedure, you may also be asked for notarization of the translation and/or an apostille to confirm the authenticity of the original non-criminal record certificate.
How to get a non-criminal record certificate in Serbia?
You can obtain a non-criminal record certificate in Serbia in three ways:
- online (with limitations),
- in person at the police, or
- through an authorized representative (such as a lawyer).
In practice, most foreign clients apply through a lawyer, especially if they are no longer in Serbia.
The online option exists via the eGovernment ( eUprava) portal, but it is currently limited mainly to Serbian citizens who have electronic identification and a qualified electronic certificate. For foreign nationals, this route is usually not available.
To get a non-criminal record certificate in Serbia, you will typically need a valid passport or ID and personal data used during your stay in Serbia. If you previously had temporary residence, having your old registration details can significantly speed things up.
You'll also have to pay the administrative fee, but more on that later.
Where to get a non-criminal record certificate in Serbia?
The competent authority for issuing the non-criminal record certificate in Serbia is the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia (MUP).
As to where (territorial competence), Serbian practice uses the concept of applying at the competent police administration/police station. For foreign nationals, that means registered residence/address history in Serbia is a key practical factor.
If a foreign national did not register residence/stay as required during their time in Serbia, they may face difficulties obtaining a non-criminal record certificate in the expected form, and in that case it may be necessary to contact a Serbian lawyer for prior assistance.
Can you apply for a police clearance certificate online or from abroad?
As we've mentioned above, Serbia has an eGovernment service for requesting the police clearance certificate online, but the official prerequisites currently keep it available to Serbian citizens with electronic identification/qualified certificates.
For foreign nationals who cannot use Serbian eID services, the legally robust approach is to apply through an authorized representative in Serbia - specifically, a lawyer specializing in immigration law.
How much does a police clearance certificate cost in Serbia?
The official administrative fee for a police clearance certificate in Serbia is 1,190 RSD (approx. €10).
However, if you need to use the document abroad, the total cost is usually higher due to additional steps because in practice, obtaining the certificate is just the first part.
If the non-criminal record certificate is intended for use outside Serbia, you will typically also need:
- an apostille certification, which costs 3,160 RSD (approx. €27).
- a certified translation by a sworn court translator (price depends on language and length)
- and the lawyer's assistance in the process, which makes for a separate fee entirely.
Still, even with all this taken into account, the base cost is relatively low.
How long does it take to get a non-criminal record certificate?
The non-criminal record certificate should be issued within eight days from the day the request is submitted, though processing can realistically vary by police administration workload and the applicant’s data-matching complexity (especially for foreign nationals).
Non-Criminal Record Certificate Serbia - Legal Assistance
Obtaining a non-criminal record certificate from Serbia is often a necessary step in completing your employment, immigration, or administrative process abroad, but the procedure can quickly become complex, especially if you are no longer in Serbia or are unsure which authority handled your registration.
