Can a foreign citizen get a Polish KRK certificate without a PESEL number?

Yes. You can get a KRK certificate even if you do not have Polish citizenship or a PESEL number. If you do not have a PESEL number, write your passport number or the number of another identity document on the application form. Source .

Do I have to use the KRK point for my registered address, or can I choose any point?

You can use any KRK information point, no matter where you live or where your registered address is. Check the address, opening hours and how to apply before you go. Source .

How much does it cost to apply for a paper or electronic certificate myself?

The normal government fee is 30 zł for a paper Polish KRK certificate and 20 zł for an electronic certificate through e-KRK. These fees do not include a representative’s services, a translation or an apostille. Source .

Can I get the certificate on the day I apply, and what could delay it?

If you apply in person, a Polish KRK certificate is usually issued the same day. However, if the authorities need to carry out further checks, you may have to wait longer. If you are a citizen of another EU country, KRK will ask that country’s register for information, and the reply can take up to 20 working days. Sources: 1 , 2 .

How can I apply online without Profil Zaufany?

You can use a qualified electronic signature instead of Profil Zaufany. You also need an e-KRK account. If you do not have a qualified electronic signature or Profil Zaufany, apply in person, by post or through a representative. Source .

Can I print an e-KRK certificate and submit it as a paper original?

No. A simple printout cannot replace an official paper KRK certificate. Send the electronic certificate in its original format with its electronic signature, if the recipient accepts that type of document. Source .

How can I obtain a KRK certificate while outside Poland?

You can mail a signed application or authorise a representative to apply and collect a Polish KRK certificate for you. If you have Profil Zaufany or a qualified electronic signature, you can get an electronic certificate through e-KRK. First check which format the recipient accepts. Source .

Does the authorisation for a representative to obtain my certificate need to be notarised?

For a standard KRK request, written authorisation in Polish with your handwritten signature is enough. A paper application needs the original authorisation or an officially certified copy. A simple scan will not be accepted. Source .

How long is a KRK certificate valid, and when will I need a new one?

KRK legislation does not set a general expiry period for the certificate. The procedure you are using it for determines how recent it must be. If your certificate is older than that procedure allows, you must obtain a new one. Source .

Which KRK certificate do I need to work as an Uber driver?

For in-person verification, Uber needs the physical original of a Polish KRK certificate issued no more than 30 days before the check. Plan your application so that you have the certificate ready for your verification appointment. Source .

Does a Polish certificate need an apostille and a sworn translation for use abroad?

That depends on the country where you will use the certificate and what the recipient requires. An apostille is not always needed, because some documents are exempt from authentication. Ask the recipient which language and type of translation they accept. If they require both an apostille and a translation, the translation must cover the certificate and its apostille. Source .

How to get a Polish criminal record certificate: methods and documents

Choosing how to obtain your KRK certificate

Ask the organisation receiving the certificate if it needs a paper original or will accept an electronic version. That answer will decide which method to use.

Paper or electronic certificate

KRK formats: a paper original and original electronic files with an electronic signature

For e-KRK to work the receiving organisation must accept the electronic files and be able to verify the signature. If a paper original is needed, then choose the paper certificate. A printed version of an eKRK file will not be accepted as the original.

Our article about electronic and paper KRK certificates explains the differences in more detail.

Ways to apply

There are three ways to get a paper certificate: going in person to KRK, applying by post or using a representative. For an electronic certificate, use e-KRK.

Four ways to obtain a Polish KRK certificate
Method	What to do	What you receive	What to consider
In person	Submit the application and proof of payment at a KRK point and show a photo ID	A paper certificate	KRK office addresses and opening hours are listed below
Online through e-KRK	Create an account, sign, pay for and submit the application in the system	An XML document	You need a suitable electronic signature; the recipient must accept this format
By post	Send the signed application and proof of payment, and provide a return address	A paper certificate sent by post	Add postage time to the application processing time
Through a representative	Prepare a power of attorney and give the representative your details and documents	The paper original of the certificate	Agree in advance how the representative will pass the original to you

You can get a paper certificate from outside Poland too either by post or by giving a representative power of attorney.

Polish criminal record certificate: costs and processing times

If you apply in person, by post or through e-KRK, the amount below is the government fee. The 390 zł entry is our price for handling the paper application and collecting the certificate. Processing times are listed alongside each option.

KRK application methods: processing times and costs
Method	Processing time	Price
In person	Usually issued when you apply; in exceptional cases, up to 7 days.	30 zł
Through Translate Service	From 1 working day	390 zł
By post	Up to 10 working days.	30 zł + postage
Online through e-KRK	Up to 7 calendar days, counted from the day after submission.	20 zł

You'll find the payment methods and bank details on the KRK fees page. The law also provides exemptions: people covered by one of these do not pay for the certificate.

With Translate Service, 390 zł covers the certificate fee and the power of attorney fee as well as our work. Delivery anywhere in Poland is free. We'll agree a date for receiving your original when you order, allowing for any checks and the journey to you.

The rules for issuing certificates in person and online are on the Gov.pl service page. KRK may need to clarify some information, which can make an application take longer.

If you hold citizenship of another EU country

KRK also contacts the register in your country of citizenship. Its reply can take up to 20 working days, so you won't be able to collect a certificate straight away. Applicants from outside the EU follow the general procedure. See KRK's guidance for foreign applicants for this distinction.

Completing the application and preparing your details

Part of the KRK application form showing personal details, PESEL and applicant information

The form is called Zapytanie o udzielenie informacji o osobie, meaning a request for information about a person. Get the current copy from the KRK downloads. Fill it in in Polish. For your name and surname, follow the spelling on your identity document.

How to complete the main fields of the KRK application
Form field	What to enter
Top left corner	Your name, surname and address. If you are applying by post, this is where the reply should go.
PESEL / identity document	Your PESEL number if you have one. Otherwise use the form’s identity document field for your passport or other ID details.
1–3: surnames and names	Give your birth surname and current surname separately plus all the given names the form asks for.
4–5 and 7: parents’ details	Your father’s and mother’s given names, and your mother’s maiden surname.
6 and 8–10: other personal details	Date and place of birth, citizenship and place of residence.
11: basis of the request	Leave this blank for a request about yourself. An organisation making a request has to state its applicable legal basis.
12: type of information	For criminal record information, tick Kartoteka karna. Only add other record categories as required for your procedure.
13: scope of information	Use the scope of checks specified by the recipient, where one is required. KRK notes that this field is not compulsory in every case.
Date and signature	Enter the date and sign the paper application by hand.

There is a worked example in the official form instructions. For fields 11, 12 and 13, see the separate KRK explanation.

How to apply in person

Choose a KRK information point from the directory below before making the trip.

Look up the opening hours on that court's website.
Complete and sign your form, pay the fee, then take the payment confirmation and your photo ID with you.
Submit the papers according to the point's admission arrangements. If the certificate isn't ready to collect, ask when you can return for it.

Where to get a KRK certificate: addresses and opening hours

Addresses and reception hours below were checked against official court websites on 15 November 2026. All times are local to Poland. Click a point's name to open its official visitor page; before travelling, look there for holiday closures and temporary changes to the hours.

Addresses and opening hours: 56 KRK points

KRK information points: addresses and opening hours
City and KRK point	Address	Opening hours
Biała Podlaska — District Court	ul. Brzeska 20–22	Mon: 08:00–17:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Break: 12:00–12:15.
Białystok — Regional Court	ul. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 1	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Break: 10:00–10:15.
Bielsko-Biała — Regional Court	ul. Cieszyńska 10	Mon: 08:00–17:30; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Bydgoszcz — Regional Court	ul. Nowy Rynek 10, room 20	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Chełm — District Court	Al. Żołnierzy I AWP 16, room 36	Mon: 09:00–18:00; Tue–Wed: 08:00–15:00; Thu–Fri: 08:00–14:30. Break: 11:30–12:00.
Częstochowa — Regional Court	ul. Dąbrowskiego 23/35	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:15. Break: 12:10–12:30.
Elbląg — Regional Court	Plac Konstytucji 1, rooms 23/24	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Gdańsk — Regional Court	ul. Nowe Ogrody 30/34, Centrum Obsługi Interesantów, level −1	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Admission by electronic queue ticket; ticket numbers are limited.
Gdynia — District Court	Plac Konstytucji 5, building A, room 33	Mon: 08:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Break: 11:00–11:15; also on Mondays 15:00–15:15.
Gliwice — Regional Court	ul. Kościuszki 15, room 025A	Mon: 09:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Gorzów Wielkopolski — Regional Court	ul. Mieszka I 33, room 1	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Jelenia Góra — Regional Court	Al. Wojska Polskiego 56	Mon: 09:00–18:00, last visitor at 17:45; Tue–Fri: 07:30–14:45. Break: 11:45–12:00; also on Mondays 15:15–15:30.
Kalisz — Regional Court	Aleja Wolności 13, building B, room 45; entrance from Wał Staromiejski	Mon: 07:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 07:30–14:45. Break: 11:15–11:30.
Katowice — Regional Court	ul. Francuska 38, ground-floor hall (parter)	Mon: 07:45–18:00; Tue–Fri: 07:45–15:15.
Kielce — Regional Court	ul. Seminaryjska 12A	Mon: 07:45–17:45; Tue–Fri: 07:45–15:15.
Konin — Regional Court	ul. Energetyka 5	Mon–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Koszalin — Regional Court	ul. Waryńskiego 7, room 15	Mon–Fri: 07:00–14:30. On Mondays from 15:00 to 18:00, applications can be left at the filing office; collection from Tuesday after 09:00.
Kraków — Regional Court	ul. Przy Rondzie 7, pavilion E, room 102	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:30.
Krosno — Regional Court	ul. Sienkiewicza 12, room 218	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Break: 11:00–11:15.
Legnica — Regional Court	ul. Złotoryjska 40	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Leszno — District Court	ul. Dąbrowskiego 2, room 37	Mon: 08:15–17:45; Tue–Fri: 08:15–15:15.
Lublin — District Court Lublin-Zachód	ul. Konrada Wallenroda 4d, room 009a	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Łódź — District Court Łódź-Śródmieście	al. Kościuszki 107/109, room 19	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Advance online booking is required.
Łomża — Regional Court	ul. Dworna 16, room 10	Mon: 08:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:10–15:10.
Nowy Sącz — Regional Court	ul. Pijarska 3, room 004	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Nowy Targ — District Court	ul. Sądowa 6	Mon: 09:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Olsztyn — Regional Court	ul. Dąbrowszczaków 44A, room 27	Mon: 07:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 07:30–14:30.
Opole — Regional Court	Plac Daszyńskiego 3, rooms A8 and A9	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Break: 12:00–12:15.
Ostrołęka — Regional Court	ul. Wiktora Gomulickiego 5, room B21	Mon: 09:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski — District Court	ul. Kościuszki 1	Mon–Fri: 07:30–15:15. Break: 11:00–11:15.
Piła — District Court	Aleja Powstańców Wielkopolskich 79	Mon: 08:00–12:00 and 13:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Piotrków Trybunalski — Regional Court	ul. Słowackiego 5	Mon: 08:00–16:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Break: 11:30–12:00.
Płock — Regional Court	Plac Narutowicza 4, room 49, entrance A	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Breaks: 10:00–10:15 and 13:00–13:15.
Poznań — Regional Court	ul. Stanisława Hejmowskiego 2	Mon: 07:45–17:45; Tue–Fri: 07:45–15:15.
Przemyśl — Regional Court	ul. Konarskiego 6	Mon: 09:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Radom — Regional Court	ul. Warszawska 1	Mon: 08:00–15:00 and 15:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Rzeszów — Regional Court	Plac Śreniawitów 3, room 53	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:30. Tickets are issued until 17:00 on Mondays and 14:30 on other days.
Siedlce — Regional Court	ul. Sądowa 2, room 22	Mon: 08:00–17:30; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Break: 11:30–11:45.
Sieradz — Regional Court	Aleja Zwycięstwa 1	Mon–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Arranging your visit by phone in advance is recommended.
Słupsk — Regional Court	ul. Zamenhofa 7, room 14	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Suwałki — Regional Court	ul. Waryńskiego 45	Mon: 07:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 07:30–14:30. Break: 12:00–12:15.
Szczecin — Regional Court	ul. Kaszubska 42, level −1, Biuro Obsługi Interesantów	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Last ticket: 17:30 on Mondays and 14:40 on other days.
Świdnica — Regional Court	Plac Grunwaldzki 14, room B014	Mon: 08:00–17:30; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Tarnobrzeg — Regional Court	ul. Sienkiewicza 27, room 17	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Temporary change: on 16, 23 and 30 November 2026, visitors are admitted only until 15:00.
Tarnów — District Court	ul. Jarosława Dąbrowskiego 27, room 25	Mon: 09:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:30–15:30.
Tomaszów Lubelski — District Court	ul. Lwowska 55	Mon: 07:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 07:30–15:30.
Toruń — Regional Court	ul. Piekary 51, room 18	Mon: 07:30–17:30; Tue–Fri: 07:30–14:30.
Warszawa — Regional Court	al. Solidarności 127, corridor H	Mon: 08:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:30–15:30.
Warszawa — District Court Praga-Południe	ul. Terespolska 15A, room 47	Mon: 08:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:30–15:30.
Warszawa — District Court Śródmieście	ul. Marszałkowska 82, entrance from ul. Żurawia	Mon: 08:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:30–15:30. Last ticket: 17:45 on Mondays and 15:15 on other days.
Warszawa — District Court Żoliborz	ul. Antoniego Kocjana 3, building D, room 15	Mon: 08:30–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:30–15:30. Last ticket: 17:45 on Mondays and 15:20 on other days.
Włocławek — Regional Court	ul. Żeromskiego 28	Mon: 09:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Wrocław — Regional Court	ul. Sądowa 1 / Podwale 30, room 90; entrance from ul. Podwale 30	Mon: 08:00–18:00, break 15:00–15:30; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00. Last ticket: 17:30 on Mondays and 14:30 on other days.
Zamość — Regional Court	ul. Prymasa Stefana Wyszyńskiego 11	Mon: 08:00–18:00; Tue–Fri: 08:00–15:00.
Zgorzelec — District Court	ul. Poniatowskiego 2, room 103	Mon: 07:15–14:15 and 15:15–17:45; Tue–Fri: 07:15–14:15.
Zielona Góra — Regional Court	Plac Słowiański 6, room 6	Mon: 07:45–18:00; Tue–Fri: 07:45–14:45.

How to get a criminal record certificate online through e-KRK

An account on e-KRK lets you request the electronic certificate. You must sign the application with a qualified electronic signature or Profil Zaufany (the Polish trusted profile).

Start on the e-KRK website. Register and activate an account if you don't have one, or log in to the one you already use.
Select the request for information about an individual and fill in your details.
Use Profil Zaufany or your qualified electronic signature to sign the request.
Pay 20 zł and send the application. Don't stop after paying: a paid request still needs to be submitted.
Check the status says Wysłany, which means “Sent”. An application saved as a draft hasn't gone to KRK for processing.
Your reply will be in Odpowiedzi (“Responses”). Download the original archive, then pass those files to the recipient in the form they accept.

The e-KRK status guide explains what happens at the signing, payment and submission stages. The result is an XML document with an electronic signature. Keep the original archive to send on; a printout of it cannot take the place of a paper original.

How to get a KRK certificate by post

Put the signed application and proof of payment in the post, with an address for KRK's reply. This way you get the paper document without visiting an office.

Complete the application and sign it. Enclose confirmation of your payment.
Include the address for delivery of the certificate.
Post the documents to a KRK point. Use the correspondence address published on that court's official website.

The processing time in the table starts with the application at KRK; you also need to allow time for your letter to get there and for the certificate to come back. Read KRK's instructions on its postal application page before sending the papers.

How to get a KRK certificate through Translate Service

If you'd prefer someone else to deal with the Polish forms, we can do that. At Translate Service, we prepare the application and the power of attorney, submit the papers to KRK and collect your certificate.

You'll need to give us your details, check the documents we've prepared and sign them. We'll tell you how to send us the original power of attorney. We then send the paper certificate to you, with no delivery charge within Poland.

How your order is handled

Discuss your order

Tell us where you'll use the certificate and when you need it. We'll agree the format, cost and timing before starting.

Prepare the documents

We'll prepare the application and power of attorney in Polish. Check your details and sign the documents.

Collect the certificate

We submit the request to KRK and collect the paper certificate. We can also arrange a translation and apostille if you need them.

Deliver the original

We'll agree when and how to send your original. Courier and InPost delivery within Poland are free.

What to do if you need a translation and an apostille

Before ordering a translation, find out what the recipient actually needs. Ask about the language, the type of translation and whether the certificate needs an apostille. Requirements vary with the country and with the procedure for which you're submitting it.

Agree which copy you'll use if you need an apostille on the criminal record certificate. For a Polish certificate, obtaining the apostille is a separate procedure; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains how it works.

A translation of an apostilled certificate covers the whole document, including the apostille. If the recipient asks for a sworn translation, let the translator know the required language and any requirements the recipient has set before work begins.

How old can your certificate be? That is another question for the recipient. Three months and six months aren't universal deadlines for using KRK certificates. The procedure sets the permitted age; if your certificate falls outside it, you'll have to obtain a new one.

How to get a KRK certificate to work as an Uber driver

Uber asks you to bring a paper original to the in-person document check, and it must have been issued no more than 30 days earlier. Choose any of the KRK application methods described here, but arrange the verification date before applying so your certificate will still be recent enough. These conditions are in Uber's requirements for drivers in Poland.

Your partner or platform should also tell you what information the certificate needs to cover. The document comes from KRK. You don't need a separate request to KRS for this purpose.

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Into Polish

From Polish

By document type

How to get a Polish criminal record certificate (KRK)