The Ministry of Justice (MINJUS) announced the addition of the request for criminal background check certifications to the digital platform Sovereignty, allowing users to initiate the process, make the payment, and receive the document online, without the need to physically visit the Central Registry of Sanctioned Individuals.
The official statement, published on October 15, does not specify the fee for the digital service, the delivery timeframe, nor the conditions for acceptance of the certificate abroad.
Who can use the service and what do they need?
Certification can be requested by Cuban citizens over 16 years of age and foreigners with temporary or permanent residency in Cuba.
To access the procedure, it is essential to have a Certified Digital Identity in Sovereignty.
Those who do not yet have it must first complete the registration process, the steps of which are explained in the FAQ section of soberania.gob.cu.
How to request criminal records online
The MINJUS outlines four steps to complete the procedure:
- Authenticate in Soberanía using the Certified Digital Identity.
- Select the criminal record service and complete the online form.
- Make the payment through the available electronic platforms.
- Receive the digital document with the certified electronic signature of the registrar.
According to the ministry, the service can be used without consuming mobile data, a convenience that the agency presents as a measure to expand access. This does not eliminate the corresponding fee for issuing the certificate.
Applicants can also track the process through the official notifications provided for each stage of the procedure.
How to verify the authenticity of the certificate
The digital document is issued with the certified electronic signature of the corresponding registrar.
To verify its authenticity, the applicant can use the case code and the PIN associated with the document.
The system also includes verification mechanisms through QR codes and the consultation of information registered by MINJUS.
Resolution 284/2025 of the Ministry of Justice regulates aspects of digital certifications and their legal recognition. However, those who need to present a printed document must verify the applicable requirements for paper format, as a printout alone does not retain the verification properties of the electronic signature.
In-person assistance remains available
MINJUS clarified that the new service “does not replace the in-person assistance provided by the Central Registry of Sanctioned Individuals, but rather serves as a complementary alternative”.
The in-person option remains available. The service information includes updated identity card and the corresponding stamp as requirements, as well as a delivery timeframe of 72 hours.
For those facing connectivity issues or access to technology, the ministry highlights the possibility of receiving support from the Joven Club de Computación y Electrónica and members of the Unión de Informáticos de Cuba.
Does the digital certificate work for procedures abroad?
The announcement from MINJUS does not clarify whether the certifications obtained through Soberanía can be used directly in procedures before foreign authorities, nor what additional legalization processes might be required.
Therefore, those who need to present their criminal records outside of Cuba should consult the requirements of the receiving institution and the relevant authorities before requesting the document.
Cuba is not a part of the Hague Convention on Apostille, so the acceptance of Cuban public documents in other countries may require specific legalization procedures.
The regulatory information cited for this service establishes a validity of one year for criminal background certifications. Applicants must also verify whether the entity where they will submit the document requires a more recent issuance date.
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