Getting Your Criminal Record

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Although the joys of becoming legal in this great country seem unsurpassable, it is not all fun and games. There are many steps that one must take. To see all of these steps in depth please read our previous article "Getting Legal" located in the Article Archive section of Prague TV. I just thought that some of you, fresh off the boat, or fresh out of the thick clouds of glee that Prague can produce, might want a very specific description of what it takes to get your Czech criminal record (Žádost o Výpis z Rejstříku Trestů). It is not complicated; in fact it is probably one of the most painless bureaucratic hurdles you will have to hop over. However, some of you might fear these kind of official visits to international police buildings. The good news is that as long as you have not committed a major crime in the Czech Republic and do not owe huge amounts of money to the Czech government, this seemingly daunting task is as easy as 1,2,3!

• First, you will need a notarized copy of your birth certificate (Rodný List) translated into Czech with the stamp of a notary. This will cost you about 300 Kč per page. There should be only one page.
• Second, you will need a valid passport.
• Third, you must fill out the criminal record (Žádost o Výpis z Rejstříku Trestů) form and buy a 50 Kč stamp (kolková Známka).

These are all the documents you will need to take with you to the Registrars office. The office itself is located at:

Rejstřík Trestů
Soudní 1
Praha 4, 140 66

Opening hours (In typical Czech Bureucratic Mental Giant rationale):

Mondays & Wednesdays – 7:30am till 4pm.
Tuesdays – 7:30am till 3pm.
Thursdays & Fridays – 7:30am till 1pm.
Closed Saturdays Sundays and all national holidays.

It is situated behind the main court building. The easiest way to get there is to take the metro to Pražského Povstání (Line C). Exit the Metro and the follow the sign to the court (soud) to the left. Cross the main street and then cross under the highway and walk up the steps. Follow the path around the left side of the court building and you will appear in front of the Registrar office (affectionately known by some as the aquarium due to its small rectangular shape and long glass windows crammed full with people).

When you get there, walk inside and push the button on the number dispenser and wait until your number appears on the displays located at each end of the room. Be prepared to wait! Some days, usually towards the end of the year, it can take as long as 1½ hours so bring a book. The best time to go is early in the morning.

When you go to the assigned window, indicated by the number displays at each end of the building, you must hand the registrar your Passport, translated birth certificate, filled out registrar form, and 50 kč for your stamp.

Provided all your papers are in order and you do not show up on their computer as a criminal, your documentation will be returned to you with a stamp verifying that you have completed this task.

IMPORTANT! Make at least 1 notarized copy of this form and 1 regular copy. (Do this with all documents that you will need to become a legal resident.) Truly this can not be recommended highly enough. The effort it takes to get a notarized copy is nothing compared to having to replace the document entirely if something were to happen. It is a small price to pay to avoid misery if there are problems with your papers further down the road.