Jordan Criminal Record Certificate Legalization

State Criminal Records for Use in Jordan

Jordanian employers, residence authorities and some licensing bodies ask foreigners and returning Jordanians for evidence of a clean criminal record, known in Jordan as a certificate of no criminal record. From the United States, that evidence can come from the FBI, from a state criminal records repository, or from a local police department. This page covers the state record, which Jordanian offices sometimes request in addition to, or instead of, the FBI check. It must carry Embassy of Jordan legalization.

When a state record is the right document

The nationwide FBI Identity History Summary is the most common request. A state record is useful when the Jordanian request refers to the state where you lived, when an employer wants records from each state of residence over several years, or when a professional body asks for it alongside the FBI check. If the request is unclear, ask the employer or office to confirm the wording, or provide both documents so the file is not delayed.

Uses in Jordan

Typical uses include work permits and residence for foreign employees, appointments at schools and universities, roles in healthcare and with international organizations, and applications to professional associations. Some family and court matters may also call for it. Jordanian offices generally expect a recent record, often issued within the last three to six months, and the name and date of birth must match the passport.

Getting the record

Each state’s repository, usually the state police or a state bureau of investigation, sets its own process. A fingerprint-based search carries more weight abroad than a name-only search. Ask for a signed or sealed certificate rather than an online printout, since unsigned printouts cannot be authenticated. In some states, the record must also be signed by an official before a notary before the Secretary of State will authenticate it.

Legalization

Once signed, and notarized where the state requires it, the record is authenticated by the Secretary of State, then by the U.S. Department of State, and legalized by the Embassy of Jordan in Washington, D.C., in around a week. Jordan does not accept apostilles. Criminal records are personal documents ordered under Case 3; we file the embassy request on the Jordanian MFA system and include the second copy.