I've sent pretty much all my documentation in for my husband's CR-1 visa and pending some corrections that I have to make, I'm just waiting for a case complete and then on to Montreal. Obviously I sent in the police check from Canada and based on some very helpful posters here and some links that were provided, I was able to find out that the non-fingerprint police check was sufficient. This is where they search the entire Canada-wide database and determine that there is nothing coming up under your name. From what I understand, you don't need to get the fingerprint check done (this also takes about three months!) unless something comes up when your name is checked.

However, someone I know just told me that her friend was told the exact same thing and then at her interview was told "OK, everything's great - except we need you to get some fingerprints done!" And then it took months of course before she could enter the country.

Has anyone heard of this before?? I'd call the NVC personally but to be frank, I've heard all kinds of contradictory things from them before about other pieces of documentation. I was just hoping someone would know if perhaps this was a really old policy or something?? Thanks!

If they choose to, they can ask for a search based on fingerprints.
The following is an excerpt from their letter of instructions concerning police certificates:


Canada: Contact your local police service of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding criminal record check procedures. Certificates may be issued by...
... (Note: Because records checks based on name and date of birth only are sometimes less thorough than those based on fingerprints, the consulate reserves the right to request that certain applicants obtain fingerprint-based serches from the RCMP).

I didn't type the whole paragraph but you should see this from the letter you got from them. They send the same instructions for CR-1 and K-3.

I know it's annoying but I hope they don't ask me (or any of us) to get a fingerprint-based search.

Thanks for the information! God I hope they don't ask at the embassy stage as it takes like another few months to get that done!!