Uses Of The Document/certificate
A police certificate is an official document issued by police or government agency of a country to enumerate any criminal records that the applicant may or may not have. Criminal records may include arrest, conviction, and possibly criminal proceedings. Police certificate is also known as good citizen certificate, good conduct certificate, police clearance certificate, or judicial record extracts. Applicants may have to submit fingerprints and certain personal information to request a criminal record check, and the police or government agency may charge a fee. If no record found, the police certificate will indicate such.
A police clearance certificate is a copy of your criminal record or a declaration of the absence of any criminal record. Police clearance certificates are different in each country and territory and may be called police certificates, good conduct certificates, judicial record extracts, pcc, etc. They are issued by police authorities or government departments and used by Citizenship and Immigration to prevent individuals who possess a risk to Countrys security from entering the country.
Each individual has the right to contact any police station for the purpose of ordering a certificate regarding his or her criminal record, which will be sent according to the law, directly to foreign missions, to missions abroad or to international adoption agencies, depending on the available data.
Get A Copy Of Your Police Records
You have the right to ask for a copy of records the police have about you. This is called a subject access request.
You might need a subject access request if you move to another country.
A subject access request has records from:
- police forces in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man
- the British Transport Police
How To Procure An Indian Police Clearance Certificate
The Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued to an individual by the Indian Police or an authorised Indian Government official. It identifies any criminal records that an individual may have against their name and provides a clearance certificate if such records are clear. A PCC may be required for Indian or foreign nationals who are residing or have resided in India, for the following purposes:
Applying for an Indian PCC
Indian nationals residing in India
The Indian Government has changed the PCC application process for Indian nationals residing in India to a self-help model where applicants can apply for a PCC online through the Passport Seva Kendra website. These are the steps involved in applying for a PCC through PSK:
- Create a profile in PSKs website
- Complete the online application form, pay the fee and schedule an appointment to submit the documents to the nearest PSK
- Submit the documents at PSK: You must personally submit your documents
- Police verification: Personal presence is mandatory
- Collect the PCC from PSK: It may be collected in person. There is also an option to have the PCC dispatched directly to the applicants address from the PSK via registered/speed post
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Fbi Approved Third Party Agents
FBI Police clearance processing time with third party providers is 3-4 days. This is the fastest and most expensive option.
FBI officially says that this third party service is ONLY available for USA citizens and Green cardholders.
But, I know from reliable sources who are neither US citizens nor green holders and have used it to get FBI clearance within 3-4 days.
Filling Out The Application
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How To Apply Police Clearance Certificate
How to Apply Police Clearance Certificate
If you want to immigrate to Canada, you and your dependents may have to provide police certificates when you submit your application for permanent residence. Visa offices may also request certificates from students and temporary foreign workers.
You may need a criminal and security check if you are coming to Canada as a live-in caregiver, tourist, student, or temporary worker. If you are applying for permanent residence, you must have one done.
Security checks, also known as police certificates, are required to determine if applicants have a criminal record. They also help visa officers make sure applicants are not a security risk to Canada.
Obtaining Clearance Letters And Related Services
Obtaining a Letter of Good Conduct for Travel or Foreign Adoption:
Los Angeles Police DepartmentR& I Division issues letters of good conduct also known as clearance letters to assist current residents of the City of Los Angeles with foreign travel and adoption requirements. These letters are acceptable only to foreign governments for these purposes. The LAPD does not provide police clearance letters for the purposes of immigration to the United States, emigration from the United States, or for employment background purposes. .Requests for clearance letters for foreign travel and adoption must be mailed to:
LAPD R& I Division
100 West 1st Street, Room 731Los Angeles, CA 90012
To obtain a clearance letter for these purposes, you must appear submit following:1. Proof of U.S. citizenship
- U.S. passport, or birth certificate if born in the United States
- U.S. residency card
2. Proof or valid U.S. Visa
3. Proof of Los Angeles residency
- Valid California Drivers License or Valid California Identification Card, indicating an address in the City of Los Angeles
- Recent utility bill, with your name or current City of Los Angeles address.
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What If A Police Certificate Is Not In English
Clearly, countries that do not have English as their national language might maintain their police and court records in a foreign language. In such cases, the applicant for lawful permanent resident status would need to acquire a translation to English.
Actually, for any immigration document, all evidence must be translated into the English language and must be accompanied by a certificate of translation. The translation certificate should be signed by a translator who swears that they are well-versed in the foreign language and are well aware of the contents of the document that they translated. to get a template certificate of translation.
If Your Police Clearance Certificate Is Not In English
Its entirely likely that countries using other languages may keep records in their national language. If your police clearance certificate is issued in any language other than English, it will need to be translated. Additionally, you will need to submit your translated document with a translation certificate to ensure it is a complete and accurate translation.
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Police Certificate For India While In Usa
If you are currently not staying in India, but in the United States, you do not need to get the police certificate from a local police station nor regional passport office in India. In that case, you can get a police clearance from your local Indian consulate . They do it on the basis of a passport check.
This is a document issued by the embassy/consulate certifying that you have never been involved with the Indian police. The normal procedure for issuing a PCC is that the embassy/consulate checks with the police authorities in the area in India where you had been residing, and issues the PCC after obtaining their clearance. As this procedure generally takes some time, an alternative is for you to directly approach the relevant police authorities in India and obtain a certificate from them that you have not been involved in any police case during the period of your stay in India are included in the certificate).
The Embassy of India does not accept consular service applications through U.S. Postal Mail. It is suggested that applicants may apply for the services either at the Embassy Counter or send the application through a courier. This arrangement will continue until the situation improves.
PCC includes a stamp in the passport and PCC document saying that that they do not have any adverse findings against you that might affect your U.S. visa.
Apply Online On Fbi Website
The FBI Police clearance certificate processing time with an online application is 3 to 5 Days.
Step 1: Create FBI Clearance Request Online
FBI Police clearance certificate online request.Open the link in Mozilla or Internet Explorer. Chrome and Safari do not work.
I am not sure why but, the FBI website link throws an invalid_request error in the Chrome browser and the website does NOT open.
Step 2: Enter email to start Application
Follow the steps under the section Obtaining Your Identity History Summary-> How to submit a request.
To start your application, enter your email and click the submit button:
Step 3: Email from FBI
Once you submit, you will receive an email from the FBI with your login password and unique FBI page link.
Enter your PIN and click Log in. Accept the terms and conditions.
Step 4: Fill Online Application
You have the option to receive a response by First-Class Mail via the USPS too.
- FBI Police clearance fees are $18.
- Pay FBI fees online by credit card.
- No extra fees for postal mail response.
At this time, the STATUS on the FBI website will show as INSUFFICIENT for your case as the FBI is waiting for your fingerprints.
Step 5: Get Fingerprints
Print FD-258 form on a plain A4 size white paper and write with Blank ink.
You can buy FD258 card from Amazon:
The fingerprint card needs to be printed on a hard white paper. I recommend buying it from Amazon than printing it at home.
Take Fingerprints Yourself?
Fingerprints at FedEx Mail Office?
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Countries You Need Police Certificates From
If you are applying for your green card from outside of the U.S., you will need police certificates from the following places, regardless of whether you were arrested in those countries:
- Country of Nationality
- Country of Residence
- Any country you lives for at least 12 months at the age of 16 or older
- Anywhere in the world you were arrested
Before submitting your police clearance certificate to USCIS, make sure it is less than two years old at the time of your green card interview.
Example: Police Checks In Australia
In Australia, individuals can request a police check which itemizes disclosable court outcomes. All police checks must be undertaken with the informed consent of the person being checked, unless the check is mandated by relevant legislation. This means that persons cannot validly obtain a police check on another individual without that individuals permission. Businesses can request a police check on the applicant behalf
A person may be required to present a Police Clearance Certificate as part of employment screening, as a pre-requisite for volunteer work, as preparation for a court appearance, to apply for a visa to enter/stay in some countries, or to satisfy a statutory requirement.
Individuals may seek a national criminal history check through two ways:
Regardless of whether the applicant applied for a police check through one of the eight state police agencies or the Australian Federal Police, or an ACIC approved broker, all police checks are completed through ACIC’s National Police Checking Service. Applicants who will receive a certificate titled a “National Police Check” if the background check was completed by one of the police agencies, or a “National Criminal History Certificate” if completed by an ACIC approved broker.
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What If My Police Clearance Certificate Is Not Written In English
A police clearance certificate that is written in a language other than English must be submitted with a certified English translation.
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Information Which Might Help
Identity History Summary Checks for Employment or Licensing
If you are requesting a background check for employment or licensing within the U.S., you may be required by state statute or federal law to submit your request through your state identification bureau, the requesting federal agency, or another authorized channeling agency.
The FBIs authority to conduct an Identity History Summary check for noncriminal justice purposes is based upon Public Law 92-544. Pursuant to that law, the FBI is empowered toexchange Identity History Summary information with officials of state and local governments for employment, licensingwhich includes volunteersand other similar noncriminal justice purposes,if authorized by a state statute which has been approved by the Attorney General of the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice has advised that the state statute establishing guidelines for acategory of employment or the issuance of a license must, in itself, require fingerprinting and authorize the governmental licensing or employing agency to exchange fingerprint data directly with the FBI.
You should contact the agency requiring the fingerprinting or the appropriate state identification bureau for the correct procedures to follow.
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How To Obtain A Police Certificate For A Green Card Application
The green card application process can be long and complicated. In addition to filling out forms and providing other evidence, you may need to submit a police certificate. You might feel overwhelmed when you realize that you will need to obtain a police clearance record, because you may not know where to go to get one.
7. What if a police certificate is not available?
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Why Do I Need A Record Check
A police record check is a tool to help employers or other agencies determine an applicant’s suitability for certain types of opportunities. Record checks are just one tool available and can be used in addition to interviews, reference checks and verification of credentials/licences.
Agencies can only request one type of record check from an applicant specific to the opportunity. They are not permitted to ask applicants for any additional police records.
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Apply For A Police Clearance Certificate
If you want to emigrate or work abroad, you must apply for police clearance certificate at your nearest South African police station.
The certificate confirms whether you have a criminal record or not.
You must provide your full name, surname, date of birth and identity document or passport to the police at the police station where your finger prints will be taken.
If you are outside the country, you may apply at any police station in that country or at the South African Embassy.
Find out more about how to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate.
Police Certificates For Usa Immigrant Visa
Police certificates are required for each visa applicant aged 16 years or older. Present and former residents of the United States should NOT obtain any police certificates covering their residence in the U.S.
Please note that these police certificates are required only if you are getting an immigrant visa or other nonimmigrant visa such as K, V. They are NOT required if you are doing an Adjustment of Status within the U.S.
Police certificates must cover the entire period of the applicants residence in a given area. The term police certificate means a certification by appropriate police authorities stating what their records show concerning each applicant, including all arrests, the reasons for the arrests, and the disposition of each case of which there is a record. Police certificates from certain countries are considered unobtainable.
In some cases, there may be specific Police Certificate Request forms that must be submitted in order to properly request and obtain the applicable Police Certificate based on the applicants residence history.
The table below shows how many police certificates are required based on where each applicant lives and has lived previously.
IF the applicant is living in their country of nationality at their current residence for more than 6 monthsAND is 16 years old or olderTHEN the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality.
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