Issuing Police Clearance for Foreign Nationals and Clearing Criminal Records in Lebanon
Navigating the process of obtaining a police clearance statement and clearing a criminal record can be complex, especially for foreign nationals. At our law firm, we are here to guide you through every step of the way. Below, we outline the essential procedures and requirements for issuing a police clearance statement and clearing a criminal record in Lebanon.
A. Police Clearance Issuance
For foreign nationals, the relevant police department in Beirut (PD) typically issues a police clearance statement within 2-3 business days, provided there are no prior criminal records for the individual. However, if the person has a prior criminal record, a request must be filed at the public prosecutor’s office to access and view the criminal record statement.
B. Public Prosecutor Request
A clearance certificate can usually be issued without complications if the individual does not have a criminal record. However, if a criminal record exists, the PD clearance certificate cannot be issued until the public prosecutor process is completed. This involves issuing the criminal record statement, which allows us to identify the exact verdicts that were issued.
C. Filing a Court Claim to Clear the Criminal Record
Once the criminal record statement is issued, we can determine the appropriate measures to clear the record. This typically involves filing a court claim. We will gather all necessary information and documentation, including any Lebanese criminal verdicts, and submit a claim to the criminal court requesting that the records be cleared. The record cannot be cleared unless a court judgment is issued to declare it so.
Conditions for Granting Rehabilitation (Clearing the Criminal Record)
Anyone convicted of a felony or misdemeanor can be rehabilitated by a judicial decision, provided that seven years have passed for a felony and three years for a misdemeanor after serving the sentence. The period is doubled in case of repeated offenses. The concerned person must submit a request to the indictment body within their place of residence after obtaining:
- A new criminal record statement.
- A residence and good conduct certificate from the local mayor.
- A certificate of sentence execution and a copy of the judgment from the issuing court, after the legal period has passed since the execution of the sentence.
For any inquiries or assistance with the process, please contact us at mk@klfi.net Our team is here to help you navigate these legal procedures with ease and efficiency.