Julian
Lawyer · Toulouse, France
- 117 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 39+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish, German, French
- Law with Honours, Liverpool University
Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) in France
In France the criminal record certificate, often called a police clearance certificate, is the extrait de casier judiciaire, bulletin n°3, which only the person concerned can request from the national criminal records office. English-speaking lawyers in France explain which document a procedure needs, prepare it for use abroad and handle the foreign certificates a French authority asks for.
About Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) in France
A criminal record certificate from France, also searched for as a police clearance certificate, a certificate of good conduct, a police certificate or a “no criminal record” certificate, is in French an extrait de casier judiciaire; the version issued to private persons is the bulletin n°3 (B3). Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Police Clearance Certificate / Criminal Record Check”. English-speaking lawyers in France help with two different needs: the French certificate for use elsewhere, and foreign certificates required by a French procedure.
The French certificate
The national criminal records office (Casier judiciaire national), part of the Ministry of Justice and based in Nantes, keeps the record of everyone convicted by a French court, whatever their nationality. The B3 is requested online or by post. It is issued only to the person concerned, or to the legal representative of a minor or of an adult under guardianship; it is never sent to an employer, an embassy or a lawyer. Foreign residents request it in the same way as French citizens. It shows only part of what the record holds, so it is a document for private use, not a full criminal history.
Certificates from your own country
The opposite request is frequent too. People applying for French nationality are usually asked for the criminal record certificates of the countries whose nationality they hold, and other French procedures may ask for one. The lawyer checks which certificate is accepted, whether it needs an apostille or a sworn translation, and how recent it has to be. See citizenship application and work visa.
What to look out for
A B3 used outside the EU usually needs an apostille, a step now handled by French notaries' offices; inside the EU, some authorities accept it as it is. An entry that should no longer appear, or an error in the record, is corrected through a separate court procedure, not by asking for a new certificate. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What a lawyer does
Explains which bulletin a procedure really needs, guides the request so that the certificate reaches you, arranges the apostille and the translation, and assembles foreign certificates for French files. Certified copies and signatures for files abroad can be handled at the same time, see document witnessing.
Questions and answers
Can I get a French criminal record certificate online?
Yes. The B3 can be requested on the online service of the national criminal records office; people born abroad use the same service or the paper form.
Can a lawyer request it for me?
No. French law reserves the B3 for the person concerned. A lawyer prepares and checks the request and handles what comes after it.
I lived in France years ago. Can I still get one?
Yes. The certificate covers decisions of French courts, so former residents request it from abroad in the same way.
Does a clean B3 mean there is nothing at all on record?
Not necessarily. Some decisions appear only on the fuller versions of the record, which go to courts and certain authorities.
1 lawyer who provides Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) in France
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I am really happy with her. Every time I wrote she answered fast, so I never had to chase her for news of how things were going. She understood what I needed straight away and, with her perfect English, explained the parts I had not followed without making me feel stupid. She was also nice to deal with. The price was fair, and in short she got it done, so I am glad I chose her.
— Antoine03 Jul 2026 -
Kind and very helpful.
— Rajinder05 May 2026 -
It was a pleasure to work with her. She resolved an issue for me quickly and efficiently, with grace and charm.
— JDR06 Mar 2026Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) -
A professional lawyer, pleasant and straightforward to deal with, who made everything feel easy.
— Oystein05 Mar 2026Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) -
She is fantastic: she helps me and saves me money and time. She speaks very good English and Italian, and she is helpful. When you describe your problem, she knows precisely what to do. Thank you so much to this service, and especially to the lawyer from Greece.
— Masoud30 Jan 2026Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) -
He was really helpful. I had tried to reach many lawyers before I found this service, which connected me very quickly with a good lawyer in Croatia. He answered my questions promptly and cleared up my doubts very clearly. It is great that the network includes such kind and polite lawyers. Anyone in need of legal help in Croatia would be in good hands with him, and I recommend him. Thank you so much!
— Jaison30 Jan 2026Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) -
The lawyer was helpful and responsive whenever I wanted an update on my inquiry or had a request.
— George30 Jan 2026Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) -
The lawyer helped me twice to get a police clearance certificate, and also assisted my husband with the same. His English is perfect, and we were both very satisfied.
— Kim09 Jan 2026 -
Excellent value for money and a very simple process, and I was fully satisfied.
— Allison12 Dec 2025 -
I had a wonderful experience with this service. It found a solution to my problem just when I urgently needed help, and I am very grateful for the support.
— Hải30 Sep 2025Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) -
The lawyer was exceptional in helping me get a Spanish police clearance certificate. She communicated directly and clearly, and both service and speed were spot on.
— Matthew24 Sep 2025Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) -
I could not get my dad's police clearance certificate from anywhere, not even from the Greek embassy, as he was living in Canada at the time, so I emailed this service. It was done within 5 business days. We are so thankful for the help.
— Sanam24 Sep 2025Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate)