Criminal Record Certificate Legalization
Criminal Record Certificate Legalization
A Russian criminal record certificate (Spravka ob Otsutstvii Sudimosti) issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) is required by UAE authorities for employment visas, residency permits, and licensing applications. Like all Russian documents for UAE use, the certificate must go through the full embassy legalisation chain rather than apostille.
The criminal record certificate is issued by the Informatsionnyi Tsentr (Information Centre) of the regional MVD department where you are registered or were last registered in Russia. For applicants residing outside Russia, the certificate can be obtained through the Russian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Once issued, the certificate must pass through the Russian Ministry of Justice, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the UAE Embassy in Moscow.
Timing is critical because the criminal record certificate has a limited validity period — typically 3 to 6 months from the date of issue. The multi-step legalisation chain takes several weeks, which means the certificate must be submitted for legalisation as soon as it is issued. Green Apple Attest coordinates this timeline precisely, ensuring your document enters the chain immediately and exits with maximum remaining validity.
We also arrange certified translation of the legalised certificate from Russian into English or Arabic, which is required by all UAE authorities. For clients who need police clearances from multiple countries, we coordinate all certificates simultaneously to meet UAE deadlines.
Documents Required
- Original Spravka ob Otsutstvii Sudimosti from the MVD Information Centre
- Clear colour scan of the certificate for pre-assessment (if already obtained)
- Copy of your valid Russian internal passport and/or international passport
- Registration details (city where you are or were last registered in Russia)
- Completed Green Apple Attest service request form
- Proof of UAE address for delivery
Special Requirements
- • The criminal record certificate has a limited validity window. The legalisation chain must be initiated immediately after issuance.
- • Applicants outside Russia must apply through the Russian embassy or consulate, which can take significantly longer than in-country applications.
How It Works
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1Contact us to discuss whether you already have a criminal record certificate or need to apply.
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2If needed, we guide you through the application process (through MVD in Russia or via the Russian embassy abroad).
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3Once the certificate is issued, we arrange immediate submission to the legalisation chain.
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4Sequential processing: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE Embassy in Moscow.
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5The fully legalised certificate is couriered to your UAE address with certified translation.
Insider Tips
Insider Tips
- Start the criminal record certificate process as early as possible. Between application and legalisation, the total timeline can be 6 to 10 weeks.
- If you are applying from within Russia, the MVD typically processes the certificate faster than through an embassy abroad. If you have a trusted person in Russia, this can save weeks.
- Ensure your name and date of birth on the certificate match your passport exactly. Any discrepancy will cause problems at the UAE immigration stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most UAE authorities require the certificate to be less than 6 months old from the date of issue. Given that the legalisation chain takes 3 to 5 weeks, the certificate must be submitted for legalisation as soon as it is issued. We coordinate the timing to maximise validity.
Yes. You can apply through the Russian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The processing time is typically longer (4 to 8 weeks) compared to applying within Russia. Our team guides you through the overseas application process.
Yes. UAE authorities typically require police clearances from every country where you have lived for a significant period. We coordinate the application and legalisation of Russian certificates alongside police clearances from other countries.
Once we have the original certificate, the legalisation chain takes 15 to 25 working days. If we also need to arrange the initial certificate application, add 2 to 8 weeks depending on whether you apply from within Russia or through an embassy.
Quick Facts
- Processing Time
- 15-22 business days
- Pricing From
- AED 550
- Country
- Russia
- Delivery
- Free across the UAE
Questions About This Service?
Our specialists know Russia requirements inside out — call or message for free guidance.
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