An extract from the criminal records for presentation abroad

You may need an extract from your criminal record for a visa, work permit, residence permit or other comparable reason.

If you have no criminal record, you can get the extract in English, German, French or Spanish. If there are entries in your criminal record, the extract will be issued in Finnish or Swedish. The LRC does not translate extracts containing entries.

Order the extract electronically or with the application form

Order the extract from your criminal record conveniently through LRC's electronic service . Using the electronic service requires strong authentication.

If you are unable to use the electronic service, use LRC's application form (PDF). Complete the application carefully and send it to us by one of the following methods:

• Through theSuomi.fi/messages service (Legal Register Centre > Register services).
• By email to [email protected] . We recommend the Ministry of Justice's secure messaging service . Enter your email address into the service and register it. You will then be sent an email link that will take your message securely to its recipient.
• By post to Legal Register Centre/ Criminal records, PO BOX 157, 13101 Hämeenlinna, Finland.

You cannot order the extract by telephone.

You can also send a free-form written application to the LRC. Such applications must contain all of the information requested on LRC's above-mentioned application form.

Delivery of the extract

The price of an extract from the criminal records is 6 euros in the electronic service and 12 euros if ordered through another channel. You will be asked to pay for the extract immediately in the electronic service. An invoice will be sent for applications sent by post or email. 

The application processing time is four business days. The processing time does not include delivery time by post.

When your extract is ready, you can view and print it in LRC's electronic service . The extract will also be delivered to your Suomi.fi Messages or by post to the address you have provided. If you order a signed and stamped extract, it will be delivered by post and will not be visible in the electronic service.

Read more about applying for and delivery of extracts from the criminal records .

Will I need an apostille certificate as well?

An apostille certificate means an attached document by which a notary public verifies the authenticity of a document issued by an authority.

In EU countries, an extract from the criminal records is not required to be accompanied by an apostille certificate if

• there are no entries in the record; AND
• the extract is written in a language accepted by the local authority; AND
• an LRC standard form is appended for help with translation.

However, the authorities of non-EU countries may require an apostille certificate with the extract from the criminal records.

The LRC does not issue apostille certificates. You must obtain the certificate for the signed and stamped extract from your criminal record from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

More information on the apostille certificate (Digital and Population Data Services Agency)

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