Criminal record certificate in Mali: 750 FCFA, 24 hours, where to apply in Bamako
Court of the place of birth (criminal record office)
In Mali, the criminal record extract (casier judiciaire) is issued by the court of your place of birth, not the court where you live. That is the point that costs people the most time. This page follows the sheet on the Government of Mali's official procedures portal.
Key points (checked on 17 October 2026)
- Where: the criminal record and nationality certificate office of the court of your place of birth.
- In Bamako: only the Commune III Justice of the Peace court with extended jurisdiction (Tribunal de paix à compétence étendue de la Commune III), for people born in the District.
- Born abroad: the public prosecutor of the Court of Appeal.
- Document: a copy of your birth certificate extract.
- Fee: 750 FCFA (decree no. 95-255 of 30 June 1995, article 66).
- Processing time: 24 hours.
The right court
The rule is your place of birth. Someone born in Ségou who lives in Bamako therefore applies to the court in Ségou, not in Bamako. For people born in the District of Bamako, the sheet states that the record is issued only by the Commune III Justice of the Peace court with extended jurisdiction. Malians born abroad apply to the public prosecutor of the Court of Appeal.
Since the law of 13 March 2023, Bamako's six communes have given way to seven arrondissements; the portal sheet keeps the court's former name, which is the one to use.
The process at the court
- At the criminal record office, you present a copy of your birth certificate extract and state your address, occupation and family situation.
- The clerk records this information on a form passed to the chief registrar.
- The chief registrar checks the files for any criminal conviction, records the request and submits the form for signature.
- The public prosecutor, or the Justice of the Peace with extended jurisdiction, signs the record.
- The document goes back to the criminal record office, where it is handed to you.
Before you go
Without a birth certificate extract, you first need to request one from the civil status centre: see our guide to the birth certificate extract in Mali, free for the volet III. The same court office also issues the nationality certificate, often required in the same files (competitive exams, jobs, visas).
The sheet gives neither opening hours nor how long the extract remains valid: the body asking for it usually sets the accepted age of the document. Only the 750 FCFA set by the decree is due.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a criminal record certificate cost in Mali?
750 FCFA, under decree no. 95-255 of 30 June 1995, cited by the official portal.
Where do I apply in Bamako?
At the Commune III Justice of the Peace court with extended jurisdiction, the only competent court for people born in the District of Bamako.
I was born outside Bamako. Can I apply in Bamako?
No: the record is issued by the court of your place of birth.
How long does it take?
24 hours, according to the sheet.
I was born abroad. Where do I apply?
To the public prosecutor of the Court of Appeal.
Official sources (checked on 17 October 2026)
- Government of Mali, procedures portal, Criminal record, application (French): place, document, fee, processing time, procedure.
- Decree no. 95-255/P-RM of 30 June 1995, article 66, setting the price of criminal record bulletins (cited by the sheet).