How to obtain a criminal record certificate in Luxembourg
Navigating the legal and administrative procedures in a new country can be daunting. One such procedure that both residents and expatriates in Luxembourg may encounter is obtaining a criminal record certificate.
If you need a criminal record certificate to apply for a Luxembourg residence permit, you will have to request it from the country of your latest residence. Read more in our dedicated article — Documents to collect in the home country.
What is a criminal record certificate?
A criminal record certificate, known as an "extrait de casier judiciaire" in Luxembourg, is an official document summarizing an individual's criminal history. This includes any convictions, penalties, or other legal issues the person may have encountered.
It's important to understand the distinction between a criminal record certificate from your home country and one from Luxembourg.
The Luxembourg certificate only includes offenses committed in Luxembourg or those recognized by Luxembourg's legal system. In contrast, a certificate from your home country typically covers offenses committed within that country's jurisdiction.
Keep in mind, that sentences handed down in one EU Member State are automatically transmitted to the Member State of nationality. The European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) is a system that facilitates the exchange of criminal records information between EU countries. Its main purpose is to enhance security by providing authorities with efficient access to details of convictions in other states.
Types of criminal records available for request in Luxembourg
There are three main types of criminal records, containing information about a person's legal history, available for request by natural persons in Luxembourg.
Record no.3
Record no.4
Record no.5
When you need to provide a criminal record certificate from Luxembourg?
A criminal record certificate is one of the documents often required in various processes. Luxembourg criminal record might be needed in the following situations:
Do you need to pay?
In Luxembourg a criminal recored certificate is issued free of charge and can be requested by person and by mail equally.
How to obtain a criminal record certificate in Luxembourg step-by-step
The certificate can be requested either in person or by mail in Luxembourg or remotely. When you need to request a criminal record certificate in Luxembourg, you will follow a certain procedure.
First things first
Prepare your identification papers. This might be a national European identity card, a passport, or a residence permit card.
Step 1. Request the criminal record certificate
You can request a criminal record certificate in Luxembourg in several methods. There is a slight difference in the time it takes to proceed, so we will give you details accordingly.
If you need a criminal record urgently, you might visit the Criminal Records Department (Service du casier judiciaire) in person and make your application on the spot. The department is located in the Ville-Haute. For the application you will need to have your identification papers with you.
If you want to request a criminal record remotely, you can do it in several ways. Keep in mind that the paper will arrive in your mailbox at the address of your registration, and it might take a few days.
- Request by email
Request the criminal record certificate by writing an email to the Criminal Records Department: casier.judiciaire@justice.etat.lu. In it, you need to indicate your request with application form, and attach a scan of your passport or other ID-papers available. Download the application form below.
- Request on Guichet
If you have a Luxtrust certificate and an account on Guichet, you can proceed your application online on the website.
The Criminal Records Department is closed every day from 12:00 to 13:00
Step 2. Receive your certificate
Depending on the chosen method of application, you can expect a processing time of around a week, although most of the time few days will suffice. The criminal record certificate will be issued in French, as it is an official language of the documents in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
You will receive the document in the mailbox at your registration address in Luxembourg. Usually, it arrives in few days. If you have mentioned, that you need several copies, there will be several original copies of the criminal record in your letter.
If you requested the certificate in person in the Criminal Records Department (Service du casier judiciaire) at Cité judiciaire, it will take about 10 minutes for printing the documents and you will be free to go. The procedure is fast and simple, you can request the necessary number of original copies.
What about the queue?
Usually it is not too crowded, but it is better to come before the lunch break (which is 12:00 to 13:00), this way you can ensure, that the procedure will be fast.
If you need to use the certificate outside of Luxembourg, you may need to get it officially translated and authenticated. You can find more information in our dedicated article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a criminal record certificate?
What types of criminal records are available in Luxembourg?
How to obtain a criminal record certificate in Luxembourg?
Source: ec.europa.eu, guichet.public.lu, justice.public.lu
We took photos from these sources: Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash
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