Criminal record extract

What it means

A criminal record extract is an official document stating whether a person has been finally convicted of a criminal offence and which convictions are on record. The register is kept by the Slovak General Prosecutor’s Office, and extracts are issued to both individuals and legal entities, since companies can also bear criminal liability.

The extract proves a clean record. The law requires it for many activities: obtaining a trade licence, registering a director or statutory body member in the Commercial Register, certain professions such as education or financial services, and taking part in public procurement.

It should be distinguished from the full criminal record transcript, which also includes expunged convictions and is issued only in statutory cases; businesses normally use the extract. A related register is the disqualification register, which records bans on serving as a statutory officer.

How it works in practice

When setting up a company or trade licence today, clients usually do not need to bring an extract. The trade licensing office and the registry court request the record electronically themselves based on personal data. For foreign nationals, however, an equivalent document from their country of citizenship or former residence must be provided.

If a company needs an extract for a third party, such as a tender or a bank, it can be requested electronically via the Slovensko.sk portal or in person at a post office or client centre. An electronic extract with a qualified seal has the same validity as a paper one.

When recruiting for sensitive positions, such as those with access to money, an employer may require an extract only if a special law demands it or the nature of the work justifies it. Requiring extracts from all applicants across the board is not compatible with data protection.

What to watch out for

An extract is valid only for a limited time for most procedures, typically no older than three months. In public procurement, check the tender’s exact requirements, since an outdated extract can get a bid excluded.

With corporate criminal liability, an extract is also required for the company itself. A company conviction can mean a temporary ban on public procurement or receiving subsidies, so it is useful to take this information into account when vetting business partners.