Quick answer: A Swedish police clearance certificate is an extract from the criminal record issued by the Swedish Police Authority. For use abroad it usually needs an Apostille, which in Sweden can only be issued by a Notarius Publicus. Order the extract for use abroad from the Police, then have it Apostilled and, if required, translated by an authorised translator.
What is a Swedish police clearance certificate?
A police clearance certificate is an official document confirming whether or not a person has any entries in the criminal record. In Sweden it is issued by the Swedish Police Authority and is commonly called an extract from the criminal record (utdrag ur belastningsregistret). Foreign authorities, employers and immigration offices often ask for it to confirm that an applicant has no relevant convictions.
There are several types of extract in Sweden. For international purposes you need the dedicated version meant for use outside the country, which is described below.
When do you need one for use abroad?
A Swedish police clearance certificate is typically required when you apply for a residence or work permit in another country, when you take up regulated employment (for example in healthcare, education or finance), when you adopt a child, or when you apply for citizenship abroad. The receiving authority almost always wants the document legalised, which in practice means an Apostille.
The extract for use abroad
The Police issue a specific extract for use abroad, which differs from the extracts used for employment inside Sweden. You can read the official details and apply on the Swedish Police website. Allow time for the Police to process and issue it, so plan ahead and order it well before your deadline.
How to order it from the Swedish Police
You can request the extract online through the Police e-service, which requires a Swedish electronic ID, or by submitting a printed application by post. A fee applies and is paid to the Police. Once issued, the extract is sent to the address you provide, including addresses abroad.
Languages and translation aid
The extract is issued in Swedish, and any convictions are shown only in Swedish. Applicants with no entries in the record can request a multilingual standard form or translation aid that helps a foreign authority understand the document. This aid is a complement to an Apostille, not a stand-alone document, so most people abroad still need both the Apostille and, in many cases, a certified translation.
When is an Apostille required?
If your destination country has joined the 1961 Hague Convention, an Apostille is enough to make the certificate valid there. You can check membership on the HCCH list of contracting parties. For countries outside the Convention, the document must instead be legalised through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and then by the destination country’s embassy.
How an Apostille works in Sweden
Since 1 January 2005, only a Notarius Publicus may issue an Apostille in Sweden. The Apostille confirms that the signature and stamp on the police extract are authentic. It does not assess the content of the document, only its origin. Apostille24 works with Notarius Publicus in Stockholm and can handle the Apostille for you remotely.
Do you also need a certified translation?
Many foreign authorities require the certificate, and sometimes the Apostille itself, to be translated into the local language by an authorised translator. In Sweden an authorised translator is certified by Kammarkollegiet. If you are unsure, our team can advise on whether a certified translation is needed for your destination. See our overview of working with an authorised translator for more detail.
Step by step: from request to legalised certificate
First, order the extract for use abroad from the Swedish Police. Second, once you receive the original, send it to be Apostilled by a Notarius Publicus. Third, if the destination country requires it, have the document translated by an authorised translator and, where needed, the translation Apostilled too. Finally, submit the legalised set to the foreign authority.
Common destinations and requirements
Requirements vary by country. Hague Convention members such as the United States, Australia, India and most of Latin America accept an Apostille. Within the EU many civil-status documents are exempt from legalisation, but criminal record extracts are frequently still requested with an Apostille for immigration and licensing. Always confirm with the authority that will receive the document.
How Apostille24 can help
Apostille24 helps you get your Swedish police clearance certificate Apostilled and, if needed, translated, so it is accepted abroad. You can handle everything remotely: send us your document, verify your identity, and receive the certified set back. We give you an individual quote up front with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues the police clearance certificate in Sweden?
The Swedish Police Authority issues the extract from the criminal record. The Apostille that makes it valid abroad is issued separately by a Notarius Publicus.
Does the Police issue the Apostille?
No. In Sweden only a Notarius Publicus may issue an Apostille. The Police only issue the underlying extract.
Is the extract available in English?
The extract is in Swedish, and convictions are shown only in Swedish. A multilingual standard form or translation aid can be added if you have no entries, but many authorities still require a certified translation.
Can I order it from abroad?
Yes. You can apply online with a Swedish e-ID or by post, and the extract can be sent to an address abroad.
How long does it take?
Allow some processing time for the Police to issue the extract. The Apostille is arranged once the original is available, so order in good time before your deadline.
How long is the certificate valid?
Sweden does not set a fixed validity. The authority that receives the extract decides how recent it must be, so check the requirement for your destination.
Do I need a certified translation?
Often yes, when the destination authority does not accept Swedish. An authorised translator certified by Kammarkollegiet can provide one, and the translation can also be Apostilled.
What if my destination is not in the Hague Convention?
Then an Apostille is not enough. The document must be legalised through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the destination country’s embassy in Stockholm.