Police-clearance (criminal-record) certificate in Kyiv - translation and apostille without the queues
The police-clearance certificate is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the apostille on it is issued by the same ministry. We take on the apostille paperwork: translation into the required language and the apostille at the MIA. 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 with the state fee included; we quote the exact amount for your country for free.
- We work with the issued MIA certificate: translation, notarisation and apostille
- We stay within the validity window - 3-6 months abroad, about 30 days in Ukraine from issue
- The apostille is issued by the MIA (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. Not sure where to start? Leave a request - we will go through your case free of charge and tell you exactly what you need.
Where the certificate is issued, how long it stays valid, and why the MIA apostilles it
First things first: the police-clearance certificate is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs through the unified state register. It takes from a few days up to 30 days.
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 Internal Affairs. The relevant MIA unit 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 MIA 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 take in the documentsSend a scan online or bring the original to Sofiivska St, 3-B - we check the document and tell you straight away which format your destination country requires.
- 2We translate itWe translate the certificate into the destination-country language, with notarial or sworn certification as required.
- 3We apostille it at the MIAWe submit the certificate or its translation for an apostille at the Ministry of Internal 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 document per documentfrom UAH 150
- Notarisation of the translation per documentfrom UAH 250
- Apostille on the document (MIA) state fee includedcharged separately
- Urgent apostille in 1-3 days where allowedon request
Prices are indicative ("from"), with the apostille state fee already included; 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 my police-clearance certificate translated and apostilled in Kyiv?
Bring or send us the certificate: we apostille it at the MIA in Kyiv and add a notarised translation where required. Etalon completes those steps for you - without you queuing in person.
Who apostilles the certificate - the Ministry of Justice or the MIA?
In Ukraine the police-clearance certificate is apostilled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), which has apostilled its own documents since 2023, not the Ministry of Justice. The relevant MIA unit 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 MIA apostille is charged separately with the state fee included. We quote the exact amount for your destination country for free after a review.
Can the translation and apostille be arranged without my personal presence?
Yes. You send a scan online and the original by Nova Poshta; the translation, notarisation and filing for the MIA apostille are on us - no queuing. 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: 2026-09-08
