If you live in the United States and need a Honduran Criminal Record Certificate, the process can be handled through the online system of the Honduran Judiciary. The platform allows applicants to submit their information, upload identification, pay by card, and download the document as a PDF. Before paying, check one basic point: criminal records, police records, and court records are not exactly the same document.
This distinction matters especially when a U.S. institution uses terms such as “police certificate”, “criminal record,” or “court record.” The English wording does not always match the official name of the Honduran document word for word.
Which Document Should You Request?
Different Honduran authorities issue different types of records. For someone applying from the United States, identifying the correct issuing authority can prevent delays and unnecessary duplicate applications.
| Document | Issuing Authority | When to Check It |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Record Certificate | Judiciary of Honduras | When the requesting organization specifically asks for criminal records or a certificate issued by the Judiciary. |
| Police Record Certificate | Police Investigation Directorate, National Police | When the requirement specifically says “Police Certificate” or police records. |
| Court Record or Case File | Relevant court | When an authority requests documents or information from a specific court case. |
The Criminal Records Unit of the Honduran Judiciary is responsible for issuing the Constancia de Antecedentes Penales for use inside and outside Honduras. That is the document covered by the online process explained here.
Applying From the United States
The Honduran Judiciary operates an Online Payment System for Criminal Records and Authentications. This allows applicants in the United States to complete much of the process remotely instead of relying only on older in-person payment procedures in Honduras.
1. Prepare Your Personal Information
The application asks for personal information that is later verified. Enter your first and last names exactly as they appear in your Honduran records.
- Full first and last names.
- Honduran identity number.
- Date of birth.
- Sex.
- Active email address.
- Telephone number.
- Address information requested by the form.
Pay particular attention to the email address. Confirmation messages and access to generated documents are sent there. A single incorrect letter can prevent you from receiving the PDF.
2. Prepare Your Identification Images
The platform requires images to verify the applicant’s identity. The documents should be fully visible, well lit, and clear enough for the information to be read.
- Facial photograph of the applicant.
- Front of the identification document.
- Back of the identification document when required.
- Files in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format.
- Maximum size of 5 MB per image.
3. Select the Criminal Record Service
The system includes an option for Constancia de Antecedentes Penales, the official Criminal Record Certificate. The fee currently published by the Honduran Judiciary for this service is L 200.
The portal also includes a separate option called Auténtica Antecedente Penal para el Extranjero, an authentication intended for use abroad. It has a listed fee of L 200. When this option is selected, the platform indicates that the corresponding services are automatically added to the payment details.
| Service in the Portal | Published Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal Record Certificate | L 200 |
| Authentication of Criminal Record for Use Abroad | L 200 |
Always review the payment details before continuing. The system calculates the total according to the services selected.
4. Wait for the Information to Be Verified
Before payment is completed, the system checks whether the required fields have been filled in, reviews the uploaded images, and compares personal information with the National Registry of Persons (RNP).
For that reason, avoid unnecessary abbreviations or changes in the way your name is written. If your Honduran identification contains two given names or two surnames, enter them as they appear in the official record.
5. Pay Online
After the request is confirmed, the system directs the applicant to the bank payment gateway. The Honduran Judiciary states that the platform accepts Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards.
Do not close the browser or refresh the page while the transaction is being processed. The platform needs to receive the bank’s response so the payment status can be recorded correctly.
Payment Statuses
After the card transaction is processed, the application may display one of three statuses. Each one means something different.
The payment was processed successfully.
The transaction is still being verified.
The transaction was not approved by the payment system.
If the status remains PENDING, check the existing transaction before attempting another payment. The portal also includes a payment lookup option that can be used to review the status.
How You Receive the Document
Once the payment is approved, the system sends a message to the email address entered during the application. The email provides confirmation and access to the available documents.
- Criminal Record Certificate in PDF format.
- Authentication certificate, if requested.
- Official payment receipt.
The electronically issued certificate includes a verifiable QR code. The Honduran Judiciary also states that its digital documents use an electronic seal and digital signature.
Save the PDF to your computer or phone and keep a backup copy if the document is important for an upcoming application. Generated documents remain available for download through the platform for 30 days from the payment date.
If the Email Does Not Arrive
Check the spam or junk mail folder first. If the message is not there, use the payment or document lookup tools available through the Judiciary’s online system.
The portal also lists soporteserviciospj@poderjudicial.gob.hn for support related to the service. When contacting support, keep the information used in the application and the transaction details available.
Authentication for Use Abroad
Applicants in the United States may see the option “Auténtica Antecedente Penal para el Extranjero”. Do not select it automatically simply because you are physically outside Honduras.
First check what the receiving institution actually requires. Some procedures may request only the criminal record certificate, while others may require additional authentication.
Authentication and Apostille Are Different
An authentication issued through the Honduran Judiciary and an apostille should not be treated as the same procedure.
| Procedure | Purpose | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Record Certificate | Provides the official criminal record certificate. | Judiciary of Honduras. |
| Authentication for Use Abroad | Certifies the relevant authenticity within the procedure provided by the Judiciary. | Judiciary of Honduras. |
| Apostille | Certifies qualifying public documents for international use when required. | Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. |
If a university, employer, government agency, or another U.S. organization specifically uses the word “apostille”, verify that requirement before submitting the PDF. Honduras’ Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation handles authentication and apostille services separately from the Judiciary’s criminal records portal.
Using the Document for a U.S. Procedure
This is where the exact name of the requested document becomes especially important. For Honduran civil documents, the U.S. Department of State identifies the Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales as the Honduran “Police Certificate” and identifies the Dirección Policial de Investigaciones (DPI) of the National Police as the issuing authority.
The Department of State lists court records separately as well. If your instructions specifically ask for a “Police Certificate,” do not replace that requirement with the Criminal Record Certificate from the Judiciary unless the requesting authority confirms that it is acceptable.
When a Police Certificate Is Required
Official U.S. information concerning Honduran civil documents states that a person living outside Honduras may obtain the Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales through an attorney or a close family member acting on the applicant’s behalf.
The listed procedure refers to a copy of the applicant’s identification, a letter of authorization, and a request letter. Because this is a separate document, its requirements and application method should not be mixed with the Honduran Judiciary’s online criminal record process.
English Translation Requirements
A document being used in the United States does not automatically mean every receiving organization follows the same translation rule. The requirement depends on the agency or institution handling the application.
When a Spanish-language document is submitted to USCIS, its evidence rules require a full English translation. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from the original language into English.
If the record will be presented to another organization, check its instructions before paying for a translation, authentication, or apostille that may not be required for that specific process.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Requesting criminal records when the instructions specifically require a police certificate.
- Entering your name differently from the way it appears on your Honduran identification.
- Uploading blurry photographs or files larger than the permitted size.
- Entering an incorrect email address.
- Closing or refreshing the page while the payment is being processed.
- Paying again immediately while an existing transaction still shows as PENDING.
- Confusing an authentication with an apostille.
- Submitting the document without checking whether the U.S. institution requires an English translation.
Before Submitting the Certificate
A short final check can prevent you from having to repeat the process. Open the PDF and confirm that your first name, last name, and identity details are correct. Check that the document contains its verification features and keep the original PDF generated by the official system.
- Confirm that you obtained the correct type of record.
- Review all personal information in the PDF.
- Save the document before the 30-day download period ends.
- Check whether the receiving institution requires authentication.
- Ask specifically whether an apostille is required.
- If submitting the document to USCIS, prepare a complete English translation that meets USCIS requirements.
Sources
- Honduran Judiciary Online Payment System — Official portal for requesting, paying for, checking, and downloading criminal record certificates and authentications.
- Judiciary of Honduras — Criminal Records — Institutional information from the unit responsible for issuing the Constancia de Antecedentes Penales.
- U.S. Department of State — Civil Documents for Honduras — Official guidance on Honduran police certificates, court records, and other civil documents used in U.S. visa procedures.
- USCIS Policy Manual — Evidence — Official rules covering translations of documents that are not in English.
- Honduras Secretariat of Foreign Affairs — Authentications and Apostilles — Official service for checking documents authenticated or apostilled by the Honduran foreign affairs authority.