How to get a police certificate - El Salvador

If you need to give your fingerprints for a police certificate, this isn’t the same as giving your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) for an application.

Name of the documents you need

  • Constancia de Antecedentes Penales (also known as Solvencia de Antecedentes Penales)
  • Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales (also known as Solvencia de Antecedentes Policiales)

Police certificate and IRCC requirements

You must provide a police certificate when you apply for:

  • permanent residence
  • citizenship
  • some temporary residence programs

Check your application package or instructions for details.

How to apply

If you are a citizen of El Salvador

Apply in person or through an authorized third party for a Constancia de Antecedentes Penales through the Dirección General de Centros Penales in San Salvador (see Contact information for the complete addresses) or apply online.

Apply for a Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales online or in person through the Dirección General de la Policía Nacional Civil y de Readaptación(see Contact Information for the complete address).

Online applications shall be finalized and sent via email within 5 business days, but there may be exceptions.

If you are not a citizen of El Salvador

If you live in El Salvador

Apply for a Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales online or in person through the Dirección General de la Policía Nacional Civil (see Contact Information for the complete address).

Apply for the Antecedentes Penales online or in person or through an authorized third party for the Constancia de Antecedentes Penales at the Dirección General de Centros Penales y de Readaptación in San Salvador (see Contact Information for the complete address).

If you live outside of El Salvador

Apply for a Constancia de Antecedentes Penales and  Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales in person at your nearest consulate of El Salvador.

Please note: In person services outside of El Salvador to obtain the Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales can take two to three months, as the consulate sends the request to Foreign Affairs of El  Salvador by diplomatic bag, and they will forward it to the police station, where the background is consulted. When the Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales is processed, it will be returned using the same procedure.

Documents you need

El Salvador nationals and residents:

  • the original and a photocopy of your valid Documento Único de Identificación (DUI) or your valid passport
  • the applicable fees

Foreign residents:

  • the original and a photocopy of your passport
  • two frontal pictures and two pictures of your right side
  • the proper completed form (available at the consulate)
  • a letter stating why you require a police certificate (i.e., for immigration purposes)
  • the applicable fees

Special considerations

The Unit of Police Background Check reserves the right to not issue the Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales to people who were found to have criminal records and/or have not cleared their legal situation.

In the event of an inconvenience obtaining the Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales, you may dial the toll-free number +1 888 301 1130 of the virtual consulate. You may contact your nearest consulate of El Salvador as well.

Contact information

Dirección General de Centros Penales y de
Readaptación
 (Constancia de Antecedentes Penales)

  • Oficina Central
    19 Calle Poniente, #320 entre 3a y 5a Avenida Norte
    Colonia Guadalupe, Edificio Duarte Novoa
    San Salvador
    Telephone: 2235-4095

  • Registro de Armas
    Autopista Norte, Edificio Extránsito del Registro de Armas
    San Salvador
    Telephone: 2235-1554

  • Santa Ana
    3a Avenida Sur, casa #19, entre 5a y 7a Calle Oriente
    Barrio Santa Cruz, cerca de Iglesia el Carmen
    Santa Ana
    Telephone: 2447-6342

  • San Miguel
    8a Calle Poniente #602, Barrio San Francisco
    San Miguel
    Telephone: 2661-0614

  • Sucursal adicional en San Miguel
    3a Calle Poniente pasaje Joaquin Cardenas poligono a
    Casa #9, Colonia Santa Gertrudis
    San Miguel
    Telephone: 2661-2698

Dirección General de la Policía Nacional Civil (Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales)

  • Centro San Salvador
    Telephone: 2529-2600

  • Soyapango (San Salvador)
    Telephone: 2277-9020

  • Flor Blanca (San Salvador)
    Telephone: 2511-0500

  • Santa Ana
    Telephone: 2420-8666

  • Centro de Gobierno de San Miguel
    Telephone: 2661-2443

Page details

Date modified: