Background
The ministry’s General Directorate for criminal affairs administers the issuance of criminal-record certificates that provide official proof of convictions or the absence of convictions for administrative needs such as visa processing, employment screening, and residency registration.
On 11 May 2026 in Phnom Penh, State Secretary Dr. Kim Santiphap chaired a ministerial review to strengthen and expand the Ministry of Justice’s criminal-record certificate services. The ministry announced measures to establish a public hotline, upgrade the digital criminal-record certificate system for users abroad, permit online submission and fee payment for certificates, and provide postal dispatch of certificates to foreign addresses.
Key Developments
Ministry leadership convened ministry managers and technical officers to assess current workflows and to set out steps for service expansion. Specific operational items discussed included creating a dedicated hotline for enquiries, modernising the digital certificate platform to improve access for overseas users, enabling online payment for certification fees, and arranging postal delivery of documents to applicants’ foreign addresses.
Institutional Role
The Ministry of Justice retains responsibility for verification, issuance, and record-keeping related to criminal-record certificates, while the ministry’s relevant directorate will coordinate technical upgrades and service delivery channels. Administrative responsibilities described by the ministry include managing applications, processing payments, and organising international dispatch of issued certificates.
Operational Implications
The announced changes are intended to allow applicants located outside Cambodia to complete certification applications and fee transactions through online channels and to receive physical certificates by international mail. The establishment of a public hotline is intended to provide a single point of contact for inquiries about the certificate process and required documentation.
