Criminal record translation for Panama Immigration

A criminal record certificate is a usual requirement for residency, visa and work permit applications in Panama. If yours is in English —for example, the FBI Identity History Summary from the United States or a police certificate from Canada— Panama's National Immigration Service requires it to be translated into Spanish by an authorized public translator, with reference to the resolution that authorizes them.

As your English Spanish translator in Panama, we provide the official translation (also called certified translation or sworn translation in Panama), signed and sealed, including the apostille attached to the certificate. Need your Panamanian criminal record in English for use abroad? We also provide Spanish to English translation in Panama.

Apostille or authentication. Documents issued abroad must be apostilled, or authenticated by the Panamanian consulate in the issuing country and by Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Apostille the original first and translate it afterwards, so the translation includes the apostille. We explain it in apostille and translation.

Validity. Institutions usually ask for a recent certificate. Confirm the validity period they require with your lawyer or the institution before requesting it, so you don't translate a document that is later rejected.

Complete document. Send every page, including stamps, attachments and the apostille sheet: everything you file must be translated.

For English to Spanish translation in Panama, a background check is quoted as a general document: $15 per page standard (48–72 h) or $20 rush in 24 h. If your Immigration appointment is close, choose rush delivery.

Translation is only one part. For guidance on requirements and steps, visit Panama visa and residency procedures. And to translate the rest of your documents, see our guide to translation for Panama immigration.