Has an employer, a local council or a consulate asked you for an extract of your Beninese criminal record? From abroad, you apply online and the extract arrives by e-mail. The Justice.bj app from the Ministry of Justice and Legislation brings this procedure together with other useful services: checking that a court document is authentic, finding a court and applying for a prison visiting permit. Here is how to find your way around.
At a glance
- Publisher
- Ministry of Justice and Legislation of Benin
- App price
- Free
- Devices
- Android and iPhone
- Criminal record (bulletin no. 3)
- 1,900 FCFA, 72-hour processing time, received by e-mail
- Requirements for the criminal record
- An NPI and a verified e-mail address
- Support
- mobile@justice.bj; for the criminal record: justice.support.cncj@gouv.bj
Requesting your criminal record from Belgium
Only bulletin no. 3 of the criminal record is issued to the person concerned. It is produced by the National Criminal Record Centre (CNCJ) from an online application on service-public.bj, which you can reach from the “Casier judiciaire” (criminal record) entry in Justice.bj. It costs 1,900 FCFA and the stated processing time is 72 hours, a little longer at busy times. The criminal record extract is sent by e-mail, wherever you are.
Since 6 March 2026, logging in with your NPI (personal identification number) has been mandatory: your parentage details are taken automatically from ANIP, and your e-mail address must be verified. If you do not have your NPI, start by finding it with the ANIP BJ app.
Born abroad? The documents you need
For a Beninese citizen born in Benin, the secure birth certificate and a few additional details are enough. For a Beninese citizen born abroad, you need the birth certificate and a certificate of Beninese nationality. This certificate is issued by the Court of First Instance in Cotonou (3,200 FCFA, about 72 hours); the consulate can also help you obtain a certificate of nationality.
Verifying a court document
The “Vérifier un document” (verify a document) button scans the QR code on a document issued by a judicial institution and confirms that it is authentic. The ministry does not publish the exact list of documents covered. Since November 2025, screenshots have been blocked after a check, to prevent fake proof.
The other Justice.bj services
- Prison access: since 1 August 2025, visiting a prisoner has required an access document (a visiting permit, or a communication permit for lawyers). You apply in the app or on permis.justice.bj, then track the request with its reference.
- Judicial map: locate a court on the map of Benin, or search for it by name.
- Texts and laws: consult regional, community and national conventions and laws.
- Associations and NGOs: check a non-profit organisation via the ebnl.justice.bj register.
The ministry's website, justice.gouv.bj, was under maintenance when we checked: the app remains the best starting point.
Requesting your criminal record with Justice.bj
- 1Install Justice.bjDownload the app from Google Play or the App Store and open it: the home screen lists the procedures and services.
- 2Open “Casier judiciaire”Tap the “Casier judiciaire” (criminal record) card to start your request for a B3 extract from the CNCJ, or open the service directly on service-public.bj.
- 3Log in with your NPIIdentify yourself with your NPI and verify your e-mail address. Your parentage details are taken from ANIP.
- 4Attach the documents and payAdd the requested documents (certificate of nationality if you were born abroad), then pay 1,900 FCFA online.
- 5Receive the extract by e-mailAllow 72 hours. Keep the application reference to track its progress.
Screenshots : Justice.bj
The home screen: verification, prison access, criminal record. 
All services, with search and filters. 
The judicial map of Benin. 
Tracking an application with its reference.
Screenshot published by Ministry of Justice and Legislation on Google Play.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a Beninese criminal record from abroad?
Online, on service-public.bj or from the “Casier judiciaire” entry in Justice.bj. You need an NPI; the extract (bulletin no. 3) arrives by e-mail in about 72 hours.
How much does a criminal record extract cost in Benin?
1,900 FCFA according to the official service page. Older sources mention 2,050 FCFA: that amount is out of date.
Can I request a criminal record without an NPI?
Not as a Beninese citizen: since 6 March 2026, logging in with an NPI has been mandatory. Only foreign nationals who have been in Benin for less than three months can apply without authentication.
Which documents can be verified with Justice.bj?
Documents issued by a judicial institution that carry a QR code. The ministry does not publish a detailed list.
How do I get a prison visiting permit in Benin?
In Justice.bj, under “Accès pénitentiaires” (prison access), or on permis.justice.bj. This document has been mandatory since 1 August 2025.
Sources
- Fiche Google Play de Justice.bj
- Fiche App Store de Justice.bj (notes de version)
- Service public : demande de casier judiciaire (PS00373)
- Catalogue des services publics : casier judiciaire
- Catalogue des services publics : certificat de nationalité
- La Nouvelle Tribune : la plateforme du casier judiciaire évolue (mars 2026)
- We Are Tech : le Bénin lance Justice.bj (avril 2025)
Guide checked in October 2026. The consulate does not publish any of these apps. For questions about how they work, contact the body that publishes them.