URPI Verification

The Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations (URPI) is a centralised electronic database designed to capture and maintain records of criminal offences in Ukraine. It documents information from the initial entry of a reported crime through all subsequent stages of the pre-trial investigation. This framework ensures both transparency and procedural oversight within the investigative process.

Core characteristics of the URPI
 

The operation of the URPI establishes the formal commencement of a pre-trial investigation upon the entry of relevant data. This step constitutes a mandatory procedural requirement under Ukrainian criminal procedural law, effectively preventing the concealment of criminal offences and safeguarding the rights of all parties involved in criminal proceedings.

The register includes essential data such as details of the incident, its preliminary legal classification, the competent investigative authority, and records of procedural decisions adopted within the scope of the proceedings, along with other information provided for under the URPI regulatory framework.

Access to the URPI is strictly limited to authorised officials, thereby ensuring the protection of personal data and maintaining the confidentiality of investigative activities.

Overall, the URPI serves as a critical component of Ukraine’s criminal justice system, supporting accountability, legal compliance, and institutional transparency.

Access to URPI information for citizens
 

As previously established, direct access to the URPI is restricted to authorised officials. Nevertheless, individuals formally recognised as participants in criminal proceedings—namely, victims, suspects, and their duly authorised representatives—retain the right to obtain an official extract from the register. This access is operationalised through several procedural mechanisms:

1. Submission of a formal motion by legal counsel to the investigator or prosecutor representing a party to the proceedings.

2. Filing a written application with the relevant law enforcement authority or the prosecutor’s office.

Accordingly, access to information concerning a specific criminal proceeding is attainable through engagement with authorised procedural representatives.

Definition and scope of criminal proceedings
 

A criminal proceeding is a formalised legal process administered by law enforcement agencies and judicial institutions to investigate criminal offences. This process encompasses evidence collection, examination of witnesses and suspects, forensic analysis, and other investigative measures required to establish the factual matrix of the alleged offence. All developments within the pre-trial investigation phase are systematically recorded in the URPI.

Where the evidentiary threshold supporting a suspect’s culpability is met, the case may be referred to court for further consideration and resolution.

In contrast to civil or administrative litigation, criminal proceedings are initiated upon receipt by law enforcement authorities of a report indicating the commission of a crime or upon the independent detection of indicators of unlawful conduct. Such initiation may arise from complaints lodged by victims or witnesses, or from proactive investigative activity.

The central objective of criminal proceedings is to ascertain the occurrence and circumstances of a criminal offence, identify the responsible individuals, and ensure their prosecution in accordance with the law. In this context, criminal proceedings serve a public-law function focused on enforcement and accountability, whereas court actions in the civil and administrative domains are primarily designed to resolve disputes between parties.

How to find a criminal proceeding by number in the URPI
 

The Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations (URPI), which serves as the centralised register of criminal proceedings, is accessible via the official portal at https://erdr.gp.gov.ua/.

Authorised access to the database requires the use of the Personal Trust Service application in conjunction with a qualified personal digital key. Such a key may be stored on a file-based medium, a secure hardware device, or a virtual secure environment.

Upon authentication, the user should navigate to the “Search” module and input the relevant criminal proceeding number. Where the identifier is valid, the system will return the corresponding record, provided that the proceeding is registered in the database.

Accordingly, direct access to the URPI is meaningful only where the user possesses both a valid digital key and the specific proceeding number. Otherwise, alternative verification methods must be used.

Within the YouControl analytical system, information on criminal proceedings becomes available only after a related court case is initiated. This information will appear in the profile of the relevant individual under the “Court Cases” section, including the case number, status, and other details.

Verification of legal entities and individuals through YouControl aggregates updates from multiple official registries, ensuring access to current, validated information.

Institutional responsibility for maintaining the URPI
 

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine serves as the central authority responsible for administering and maintaining the URPI.

The direct entry of data into the register is carried out by authorised prosecutors and investigators of pre-trial investigation bodies, including the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigations, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, and other competent authorities, within the scope of their statutory powers.

FAQ
 

How can the existence of a criminal proceeding in the URPI be verified online?

Verification requires engagement with competent authorities, either by submitting a formal application to law enforcement bodies or by acting through legal counsel. A simpler option is to use YouControl.
 

What governs the procedure for entering information into the URPI?

The procedure is regulated by Article 214 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Ukraine. Entries are made by authorised procedural actors, including investigators, prosecutors, and inquiry officers, in accordance with statutory requirements.
 

Who is entitled to access URPI information?

Access is restricted to duly authorised entities, including law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial bodies, and certain participants in criminal proceedings. General public access to URPI data is not permitted.
 

What data is contained in a URPI extract?

An official extract typically includes the case registration number, the date and time of entry into the register, the commencement date of the pre-trial investigation, a concise summary of the case, and the applicable legal qualification of the offence.
 

What is the procedure for challenging an unlawful entry in the URPI?

Challenging an improper or unlawful entry requires filing a formal motion with the competent investigator, prosecutor, or investigating judge. This is a complex process that typically requires qualified legal assistance.