Updated: 20 September 2026 la 12:07. Articolul a fost revizuit pentru a reflecta informațiile disponibile la această dată.
A criminal record certificate for an individual can be requested online free of charge through the HUB MAI platform. The application is submitted from a validated account, and the generated document is electronically signed and can be downloaded immediately from the platform. The application itself involves only a few steps; creating or validating the account is the part that may take time.
Before you start, check two things: that you have a valid identity document and a working way to log in to HUB MAI. Do not pay for the certificate’s issuance: the Romanian Police lists the service as free of charge.
What you need for an online criminal record certificate
- a validated HUB MAI account, or an available login method through an Electronic Identity Card, ROeID or Ghișeul.ro;
- a valid identity document;
- an email address you can access, if you are going through the account-creation or validation stage;
- the reason for requesting the certificate, selected in the online form.
The HUB MAI platform offers login with a HUB account, Ghișeul.ro account, ROeID account and, depending on technical availability, an Electronic Identity Card. You do not need to have all of them: choose the route that matches the account or identification method you already use.
Choose your login route before starting
| You already have | Practical route | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| A validated HUB MAI account | Log in directly to HUB MAI | You can go straight to the criminal record certificate application. |
| A validated Ghișeul.ro account | Log in through Ghișeul.ro | After validation, you may be redirected to HUB MAI services. |
| A ROeID account | Log in with ROeID | This is a useful alternative for identification, including in the Ghișeul.ro process. |
| An Electronic Identity Card | Log in with an Electronic Identity Card | The option appears in HUB MAI depending on technical availability. |
If you choose validation through Ghișeul.ro using a username and password, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) guide specifies additional conditions: this route is intended for individuals with Romanian citizenship who have a valid Romanian bank card enrolled in 3D Secure. Card validation is described as free of charge; do not confuse data verification with a fee for the criminal record certificate.
Steps to request the certificate in HUB MAI
- Log in to your HUB MAI account. Use the login method available to you.
- Open the “Services” section. From there, go to the “Documents, approvals” category.
- Select “Obtaining a criminal record certificate for an individual”.
- Open the “Request a criminal record certificate” tab. The application should be pre-filled with your civil-status data.
- Choose the reason for your request. Check the displayed details and select the reason for the application from the available field.
- Tick the consent box and submit the application.
- Download the document. The certificate appears in the “View document” area; select “Download” and keep the original file you receive.
HUB MAI states an average delivery time of one minute for the online service. This is an indicator of how the platform operates, not an absolute guarantee for every situation. Law No. 290/2004 provides for an issuance deadline of no more than three days from the request for applications submitted electronically or in person.
Do not turn the PDF into a simple image or copy
The certificate issued through HUB MAI is electronically signed. For an institution that accepts online submission, the safest option is to send the downloaded file without converting it into a screenshot or image. This allows the recipient to retain the electronic document and, when needed, verify its authenticity through HUB MAI’s document verification service.
If your employer or an institution explicitly asks for a paper document, ask in advance whether it accepts a printout of an electronically issued certificate. Internal submission requirements may differ, even if the original document is electronically signed.
Why an account is not validated: checks before restarting the process
The MAI guide for registration through Ghișeul.ro identifies several specific reasons why validation may be blocked. Before creating other accounts, check the following:
- Your identity document has expired or been invalidated. You will not be able to complete verification without a valid document.
- You collected your new identity document very recently. The data may not yet have been processed as a document in your possession.
- Your CNP is already associated with an older HUB account. In this situation, the email address and phone number entered in the new process must match those in the existing account.
- Your phone number is written in a different format. For example, an older account may have the number stored with the country prefix, while the new form does not include it.
- You do not have a valid identity document for verification. In the process described by MAI, the details from an identity card, provisional identity card or passport may be used, as applicable; without a valid document, the process cannot proceed.
Do not repeatedly submit the same application on the same day just because you do not see the document immediately. The MAI order on electronic issuance provides that the beneficiary may submit only one application on the same day and for the same reason.
When it is better to go to a counter
The in-person option remains useful if you cannot complete online validation, do not have an available electronic identification method, or need assistance with a particular situation. For individuals aged at least 14, the application may be submitted at any police unit with a criminal records counter, with the original valid identity document. For Romanian citizens, HUB MAI states that the physical document is generally issued on the spot or within no more than three working days.
People abroad follow a separate procedure through Romania’s diplomatic missions or consular offices. Do not assume that the online process automatically covers requirements such as an apostille, an authorised translation or the rules of an authority in another country.
How long it is valid and how much it costs
According to Law No. 290/2004, a criminal record certificate is valid for six months from the date of issue. The online service through HUB MAI is free of charge. To avoid having it issued too early, request the document close to the time when you need to submit it, especially if the requesting institution requires recent documents in the file.
The online procedure does not automatically replace every administrative document. For example, if you are asked for a behavioural integrity certificate or another document, check the exact name in the request: they are different documents, even though some may be accessed through the same platform.
For additional information, see Is “the bank” or an institution calling you? What to do in the first 15 minutes to avoid losing money, an article that explores an aspect directly related to this subject.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an online criminal record certificate cost?
Issuance of a criminal record certificate for an individual through HUB MAI is free of charge.
How long does it take to receive an online criminal record certificate?
The HUB MAI platform states an average delivery time of one minute. The law provides for a deadline of no more than three days for applications submitted electronically or in person.
How long is a criminal record certificate valid?
The certificate is valid for six months from the date of issue.
What should I do if HUB MAI does not validate my account?
First, check whether your identity document is valid, whether you have an older HUB account associated with the same CNP, and whether your email address or phone number matches the details in that account. If the problem persists, use HUB MAI’s contact details or the in-person option at a criminal records counter.
