Whether someone is legally required to disclose a criminal record to a new romantic partner depends on the country, the nature of the conviction, and the circumstances. In most places, there is no general legal duty to tell a new partner about a criminal record.

However, there are important exceptions and practical considerations.

For convictions involving domestic abuse, sexual offences, stalking, or serious violence, some countries have safeguarding schemes that allow people to ask the police whether a partner has a history of violent or abusive behaviour.

For example:

• United Kingdom has Clare’s Law (the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme), which allows someone to request information from the police if they are concerned about a partner’s history of domestic abuse.
• Some other countries have similar disclosure or safeguarding arrangements, although they vary widely.

Even where there is no legal obligation to volunteer a criminal record, many people would consider it an important ethical issue, particularly if the convictions relate to:

• Domestic violence.
• Coercive control.
• Stalking or harassment.
• Sexual offences.
• Violence against previous partners or family members.

Those kinds of convictions may be highly relevant to a new partner’s ability to make an informed decision about their own safety and the safety of any children.

If a person actively lies when asked—for example, saying “I’ve never been convicted of anything” when they have—this may not always be a criminal offence, but it can seriously undermine trust and, in some situations,