Police-clearance (criminal-record) certificate in Kyiv - obtain, translate and apostille without the queues
Unlike a passport or diploma, you don't already hold a police-clearance certificate - it has to be ordered from the Ministry of Internal Affairs first, and that is where we start. We then translate it into the required language and apostille it at the MFA. Speed matters: abroad the certificate is usually valid 3-6 months, and inside Ukraine about 30 days, so the clock runs from the issue date. Translation is roughly from UAH 150, notarisation from UAH 250, and the apostille is charged separately plus the state fee; we quote the exact amount for your country for free.
- We start from scratch: we order the certificate itself at the MIA, not just translate one you already have
- We stay within the validity window - 3-6 months abroad, about 30 days in Ukraine from issue
- The apostille is issued by the MFA (not the Ministry of Justice) - and its office is in Kyiv
- One office on Sofiivska St, 3-B, yet we serve all of Kyiv by courier and Nova Poshta
We have a single Kyiv office - Sofiivska St, 3-B, in the centre, next to the consular district. But coming in is optional: you send your data online and we deliver the finished certificate with translation and apostille by courier across all of Kyiv, or ship it by Nova Poshta.
How to obtain the certificate, how long it stays valid, and why the MFA apostilles it
First things first: the police-clearance certificate is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs through the unified state register - you apply online or via an MIA service centre / administrative-services centre. It takes from a few days up to 30 days, and under a power of attorney we obtain it for you without you queuing in person.
Next, validity. For use abroad the certificate is usually valid 3-6 months from issue (the exact period is set by the embassy, immigration service or employer); for domestic use in Ukraine about 30 days. That is why the translation and apostille should be done immediately - the document must not expire while you assemble the rest of your file.
And the key difference from many other documents: this certificate is apostilled not by the Ministry of Justice but by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its consular service department is in Kyiv, so the whole route - certificate → translation → apostille - runs in one city, with no forwarding between regions.
Where a police-clearance certificate with apostille and translation is needed
Most often the certificate with apostille and translation is required for immigration and residence permits (temporary or permanent), employment abroad, study, marriage to a foreign national, adoption and citizenship applications.
Requirements vary: some countries accept the MFA apostille alone, others also need a sworn or notarised translation, and sometimes the translation itself must be apostilled. For countries outside the Hague Convention, consular legalisation is used instead of an apostille. We confirm the exact format for your country before we start, so nothing has to be redone.
How we work
- 1We order the certificate at the MIALeave your details online or at Sofiivska St, 3-B - we file the police-clearance request through the MIA for you, under a power of attorney where needed.
- 2We translate itWe translate the issued certificate into the destination-country language, with notarial or sworn certification as required.
- 3We apostille it at the MFAWe submit the certificate or its translation for an apostille at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv.
- 4We deliver the resultCollect the finished package at the office, by courier in Kyiv or by Nova Poshta across Ukraine and abroad.
Prices
- Translation of the certificate per documentfrom UAH 150
- Notarisation of the translation per documentfrom UAH 250
- Apostille on the certificate (MFA) + state feecharged separately
- Urgent apostille in 1-3 days where allowedon request
Prices are indicative ("from"), excluding the state fee and the cost of the certificate itself; we quote the final amount for free after a review and confirmation of the destination country.
FAQ
How long is a police-clearance certificate valid?
Abroad it is usually valid 3-6 months from the issue date, and for domestic use in Ukraine about 30 days. The exact period is set by the body that accepts it, so order the translation and apostille right after issue while the document is still fresh.
How do I get a police-clearance certificate with an apostille in Kyiv?
First we order the certificate itself at the MIA, then apostille it at the MFA in Kyiv, and add a translation where required. Etalon completes all three steps for you - from requesting the certificate to a finished apostilled translation - without you queuing in person.
Who apostilles the certificate - the Ministry of Justice or the MFA?
In Ukraine the police-clearance certificate is apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), not the Ministry of Justice. Its consular department is in Kyiv, so the whole certificate → translation → apostille route runs in one city.
How much do translation and apostille of the certificate cost in Kyiv?
Translation is roughly from UAH 150 and notarisation from UAH 250; the MFA apostille is charged separately plus the state fee. We quote the exact amount for your destination country for free after a review.
Can the certificate be obtained without my personal presence?
Yes. Under a notarised power of attorney we order the certificate, translate it and apostille it for you - no queuing at the MIA or MFA. Send your data online and we return the ready package by courier in Kyiv or by Nova Poshta.
Do you have a branch in my district of Kyiv?
We have one office - Sofiivska St, 3-B, in the centre. But we serve all of Kyiv remotely: we take your data online and deliver the finished certificate by courier to any district, or ship it by Nova Poshta across Ukraine and abroad.
Updated: 2026-06-15
