Resident since age 7; need native police certificate for previously? [edited title]

[bluebook14 32]

So we were checking the package 4 files (online, just checking what we would need) and noticed it say that you need a police certificate from every country you've ever lived for over a year. (No problem there, I've lived in Ecuador for the past 15 years). But, it also says that foreigners residing in Ecuador need a police certificate from their country of origin. In my case, that's Russia.

The thing is, we moved to Ecuador when I was 7 years old. I never had an ïnternal passport" and I only got my international passport last year. When we were doing my passport paperwork, I even registered that my permanent place of residence (postoiannoe mesto zhitel'stva) is now Ecuador, so i don't even have a Russian propiska (russian residence registration) anymore. And I don't think you can even get a police record at that age.

So I'm not sure about how to proceed. Should I get a document from the Russian Embassy in Ecuador stating that I have resided in Ecuador for the past 15 years? Or do I not need the Russian police records at all (because they do not apply to my case?)

Thank you for any input, we're super confused about this.

(P.S: I wasn't sure what forum to post this in, so I posted it here because I wanted more people to see it. :| )

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Title edited for clarity at OP's request.

[Moderator hat off]

My understanding is that police certificates from other countries are needed only from the age of 16 years. Others will confirm or correct this.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Police certificates from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for six months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older)

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/family/fiance-k-1.html#6

[bluebook14 32]

I was assuming this to be the case as well. The paragraph from the embassy packet I was viewing

From http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guayaquil/231771/PDFs/WEB%20PK4%20Visas%20K%20_May%202015__002.pdf (added bold)

Police Certificate: A certificate is necessary only for applicants over the age of 18. For Ecuador residents, the certificate is available at www.ministeriodelinterior.gob.ec If you are a citizen of a country outside of Ecuador, you must present a police certificate from your country of nationality. If you have resided in another country (not Ecuador or the United States) for more than one year, a police certificate is needed from that country. For more information on how to get a police record from your country of nationality or previous residency you may visit

The DoS indeed says (http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/family/fiance-k-1.html)

• Police certificates from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for six months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older)

Maybe the embassy is simply saying this to simplify things for people (assuming most people who are foreign-born have moved there during adulthood)?

- Mark

Edited July 24, 2015 by bluebook14

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Well, the consulate instructions state they are only needed for those over 18, so perhaps for them, you only need one for places you lived for a year or more when age 18 or over.

[TBoneTX 43,058]

When you get the chance, remember to point out to the consulate that their instructions should be clarified, which will take only a few seconds to fix on their site.

[bluebook14 32]

Still worried* about this. Just emailed the consulate, let's see what they respond

*freaking out

[TBoneTX 43,058]

They're wrong, so don't freak.

[bluebook14 32]

So their email confirms that she won't need it, although in a rather broken paragraph:

Thank you for your message. Your fiancé needs to present a Police certificate (in addition to supplying a police certificate from the present place of residence, the applicant must also present police certificates from any place or places of residence for 6 months or more since attaining the age of 16).

I called them as well, and they basically just told me to look at travel.state.gov

Edited August 14, 2015 by bluebook14

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Good job. Resolved.