Hello, I am organising for my parents to come and visit me in the US. The only problem is my dad is ineligible for the visa waiver due to a crime commited 26 years ago in Western AUstralia. Does anyone have any idea about obtaining police/court records to give details of this crime?? It is so old it wont even turn up on the fingerprint check. Unfortunately, he also cannot remember the exact year the crime even occurred. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Your father should go to the state police department to get the papers on the charges. Don't they have records?

Contact the court house in the town/city in which the crime took place i.e the court in which the crime was heard should have a record in archives.

Oh, he then needs to complete a one page sheet (which can be faxed) stating approximately when the crime took place, what the charges were and consequences. They also want to know why you wish to obtain the documents. Very simple form. Hope that helps.

Thanks for your help!! I will forward that information onto them!!

Hi There!

Every state in Australia has its own Crimminal Court Office. If its in NSW its the Parramatta court house. You can go in ( after going through security ) and ask the register/clerk there to search his file. Most old cases dating 20yrs back now would be dusted away in a file. Otherwise your best option is to call the AFP ( Australian Federal Police ). In order to get fingerprints etc any police station has to get authorisation from the person and then they will request a file from the AFP. Same applies for if anyone is applying for a visa clearance. Also FYI if you get incontact with your local member o parliament for a character reference that would help alot.

GoodLuck!

The naure of the crime is important.

Some are not waiverable.

Some do not need a waiver.

I am sure many people with convictions just travel anyway on the VWP, but that can come back to bite you.