An Egyptian criminal record certificate, commonly known as a “fish and tashbih,” may be requested for employment, licensing, and certain travel or residence procedures. Apply for it for the correct purpose and submit it within the validity period accepted by the requesting authority.

How to apply

Applications may be submitted through the official channels available for the applicant’s circumstances. You will need proof of identity and should specify the authority to which the certificate is addressed. The collection method and fees may vary according to the selected service.

Points to check

Verify your name, national ID number, and the purpose stated on the certificate. Do not assume that a certificate issued for one authority will automatically be accepted by every other authority. Ask the recipient how recent the certificate must be.

Using the certificate outside Egypt

Depending on the destination country and purpose, the certificate may need authentication, a certified translation, and further legalization. The sequence matters: translating or authenticating it at the wrong stage can mean resubmitting the file.

What if a problem appears?

If issuance is delayed or unexpected information appears, contact the competent authority and understand the legal implications before submitting the document. The appropriate steps depend on the nature of the matter and its legal outcome.

For help preparing documents for use in Egypt or abroad, contact the Legal Protector team.

Last legal review: October 2026. References: Egypt’s Ministry of Interior and the relevant consular authorities; check the latest instructions.