Online criminal record inquiries can be paid for via MB WAY from this Saturday, with the first transactions being successful, the Ministry of Justice has announced.
The guardianship statement stated that in the afternoon, transactions were recorded from applicants who used MB WAY as a means of payment for an online criminal record request.
“This new feature aims to make the process of obtaining a criminal record certificate requested online easier by allowing payment to be made quickly, securely and directly via a mobile phone,” he adds.
The online criminal offence registration application was launched in 2016 and has already enabled more than 1.8 million individuals and businesses to apply for registration without going to court.
Quoted in the statement, Undersecretary of State for Justice Maria Clara Figueiredo said that “technology is a strong ally in saving time and resources, and improving the convenience of users of public services.”
“Without giving up financial and legal security, the administration of justice can and should help citizens and companies fulfill their legal obligations as comfortably as possible. This is another step in this direction,” he adds.
Also quoted in the statement, the Director General of the Justice Department, Ana Claudia Cáceres, points out that between July 2023 and July 2024, “the number of online requests for criminal records increased by 21% compared to the same period last year.”
“Offering simple, fast and secure payment methods to those who need to use the service benefits more and more citizens and companies,” he says.
A criminal record, a document usually required for situations such as job applications, licenses, visas and residency, costs five euros.
Fee payments can now be made via ATM, credit card and PayPal.
Once issued, the certificate is available in digital form.
A “simpler” authentication process using the European Electronic Identity Recognition System (eIDAS) will soon be available to EU citizens, according to the Directorate General of Justice.
In the future, the possibility of using the digital online service “Register of Criminal Cases” will be extended to all foreign citizens who have a digital mobile key linked to their passport or residence permit, the guardianship authority adds.