El Salvador criminal record and PNC police clearance from the US
If you live in the United States and need to prove that you have no judicial records in El Salvador, there are two documents that are frequently confused: the criminal record certificate (solvencia de antecedentes penales), issued by the Directorate General of Penal Centers, and the police clearance certificate (solvencia policial), issued by the National Civil Police (PNC). They are not the same. In this guide we explain what each one is for, how they differ, how to request them from abroad (online or through a power of attorney) and why you will almost always need to apostille them to use them in the US.
Contents
What these documents are for
The criminal record and the police clearance certificate are certificates of good conduct: they prove to a third party that the person has no convictions or pending warrants in El Salvador. You may be asked for them in many situations once you already live in the United States:
- 📋 Immigration and residency processes before US authorities.
- 💼 Job applications that require a background check.
- 🎓 Academic enrollment, scholarships or admission processes.
- 🤝 Adoptions, naturalizations or other legal procedures.
Important: each institution decides which of the two documents it accepts. Before you start, ask whoever is requesting it whether they need the criminal record from Centros Penales, the PNC police clearance or both, and whether they require them apostilled.
Criminal record (Centros Penales) vs. PNC police clearance
The difference lies in who issues the document and what type of record it checks:
- Criminal record certificate: issued by the Directorate General of Penal Centers (DGCP), part of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. It certifies whether or not the person has any registered criminal convictions. This is the one most often requested for processes abroad, and it is handled online through the simple.sv portal.
- Police clearance / police record certificate: issued by the National Civil Police (PNC). It certifies whether the person has any pending police records or warrants. Appointments for residents in El Salvador are booked at solvencias.pnc.gob.sv.
In short: the criminal record looks at the history of convictions, while the PNC police clearance looks at the police history. They are complementary but distinct, and it is worth being clear about which one is required of you.
How to request them from the United States, step by step
Criminal record (Centros Penales) online
The most convenient option from abroad is the online portal:
- Go to simple.sv and look for the "Antecedentes penales" (criminal record) procedure.
- Click "iniciar el trámite" (start the process) and log in with your Salvadoran digital identity.
- Choose the type of certification that matches your case (for example, a personal record for the citizen).
- State the reason and check whether you want the document apostilled.
- Pay the current fee online and receive an email with the link to download your certificate.
PNC police clearance from abroad
Salvadorans in the US normally request the police clearance certificate through the consulate, since it is handled through diplomatic channels:
- Visit or contact your consulate so they can tell you the current requirements for the PNC police clearance.
- Submit a copy of your ID document (DUI or passport) and the photographs they ask for.
- Complete the application form and attach a justification letter explaining the reason.
- Wait for the response: the document is processed in El Salvador and returned through official channels.
Through a power of attorney to a representative in El Salvador
For both Centros Penales and the PNC, you can have a trusted person handle the process in El Salvador. To do this you need to grant a notarial power of attorney with a special clause authorizing them to "request and receive confidential criminal-record certification information." You can grant that power of attorney before an El Salvador consul or before a Salvadoran notary.
We do not make up fees: costs change and are charged online or at the counter. Check the current fee directly on the relevant portal or institution before starting.
- 🌐 Criminal record (DGCP): simple.sv · dgcp.gob.sv
- 🌐 Police clearance (PNC): solvencias.pnc.gob.sv · pnc.gob.sv
- 🏛️ Apostille and consular services: rree.gob.sv
Apostille to use them in the US
For a Salvadoran certificate to be legally valid before US authorities, employers or institutions, it must almost always carry an apostille. Both El Salvador and the US are parties to the Hague Convention, so the apostille replaces traditional legalization and confirms that the document is authentic.
In the case of the criminal record, the simple.sv portal lets you request the apostille during the same process, which simplifies things from abroad. For the PNC police clearance or other documents, check our apostille and legalization guide to learn how to get them apostilled.
Always request the document apostilled if you are going to present it in the US. A certificate without an apostille may be rejected by the institution requesting it.
Processing times and validity
Timeframes depend on the document and the route you choose:
- ⏱️ Criminal record online: being a digital process, it is usually available for download within a few business days.
- ⏳ PNC police clearance from abroad: since it is handled through diplomatic channels, it can take several weeks (around 2-3 months).
- 📅 Validity: these certificates expire quickly (from a few weeks to three months). Request them close to the date you will present them.
Because processing times and validity can change, confirm them on each portal before starting your process, and plan ahead if you also need the apostille.
Frequently asked questions about criminal records and police clearances
What is the difference between the criminal record and the PNC police clearance?
The criminal record is issued by the Directorate General of Penal Centers and certifies whether you have criminal convictions. The PNC police clearance is issued by the National Civil Police and certifies whether you have police records or warrants. They are different documents from different institutions.
Can I get the criminal record from the US online?
Yes. The criminal record certificate is requested through the simple.sv portal: you start the process with your digital identity, choose the certification, check whether you want it apostilled, pay the current fee and download it by email.
Do I need an apostille to use them in the US?
Generally yes. Since El Salvador and the US are parties to the Hague Convention, these certificates usually require an apostille to be valid before US authorities or employers. On simple.sv you can request the apostille within the same Centros Penales process.
Can I have someone in El Salvador handle the process?
Yes. You can grant a power of attorney to a trusted representative with a special clause authorizing them to request and receive the criminal-record certification. The power of attorney is granted before an El Salvador consul or before a Salvadoran notary.
How do I obtain the PNC police clearance while living in the US?
It is handled through your nearest consulate by submitting a copy of your ID document, photographs, the application form and a justification letter. The request goes through diplomatic channels and usually takes between 2 and 3 months.
How long are these documents valid?
They have a short validity period, normally from a few weeks to three months depending on the institution and the use. It is best to request them close to the date you will present them. Verify the exact validity with Centros Penales or the PNC.