What is a criminal status certificate?

A criminal status certificate, also known as a certificate of good conduct, is a person's criminal record, and the request for its issuance is intended to ensure that the person does not have any criminal record, financial and moral violations, or that he is not registered as a defendant or a person with a history of criminal reports, and that his good conduct and conduct are established in the country from which the certificate is issued.

The UAE Digital Government stated that a criminal status certificate is issued to be submitted to official authorities that request this type of certificate, whether for the purpose of work, study, immigration, obtaining certain licenses, etc.

On how to apply for it and the conditions, the digital government of the country clarified that the criminal status certificate is available to customers who are citizens and residents of the UAE, as well as to customers who have previously resided in the country and live abroad.

You can apply for a criminal status certificate online through the Ministry of Interior website or the Ministry of Interior (MOI UAE) smart app available on iTunes and Google Play.

It is also possible to visit one of the Ministry's service centers, apply and obtain the certificate after paying the prescribed fees via electronic payment cards.

The service is available in Dubai online through the Dubai Government website or through the Dubai Police smart app available on iTunes and Google Play. The certificate can also be requested and obtained through Dubai Police offices.

As for the required documents, they are the presence of a valid ID card issued by the UAE, a copy of the customer's passport, a statement from the beneficiary acknowledging that he has no criminal record or pending criminal cases, a recent personal photo, with a white background, and an active email.

For customers from outside the UAE, the Digital Government clarified that for those who have previously resided in the UAE and are currently living abroad, they can request this service electronically by providing the decimal fingerprint sheet, provided that it is duly approved by the UAE Embassy abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the applicant's country.

The decimal fingerprint sheet is issued by the relevant department at the police station in the country where the person resides, and this certificate is used to verify the identity of the person based on his biometric data.
The customer must request the certificate online to the concerned entity of his/her destination, whether the Ministry of Interior or Dubai Police, and attach the application with the following documents: decimal fingerprint card, two (2) photographs of the concerned person, a photocopy of the passport, a photocopy of the previous residence visa in the UAE, and the reason for requesting the certificate.

The certificate can be issued in Arabic and/or English according to the customer's request, and the fees vary according to the language in which it was issued, as well as according to the customer's nationality, and whether requested from inside or outside the country.