Police Certificate in another country, can we get it via mail?

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Hi All,

My husband just completed the police certificate to send to NVC, for the country he is resident. From 2006-2007 my husband received a travel permit several times to stay in Benin, the neighboring country. If a police certificate is required for this country, can we obtain the certificate without him traveling to Benin? He doesn't live there, in fact he's hundreds and hundreds of miles away. s this required? Please, what anyone who knows what to do in is regard, I appreciate it very much!

The instructions for that Benin police certificate are here:

BENIN - Available in part.

Persons born in countries which use the casier judiciaire (a combined prison and police record) may

obtain a copy of this record from the competent authorities in their native country. In the case of

countries other than Benin, this record should contain the police and prison records from Benin, if any.

A native-born Beninese should apply to the Tribunal de Premiere Instance which has his birthplace

within its jurisdiction. The document may be obtained by mail.

Thank You,

[Darnell 8,478]

IF he stayed 6 months (at a time) or more in Benin, he'll need to get the police clearance certificate from Benin, somehow.

You might want to 'check that', if it's less than 6 months duration, you've no issue.

[gina_raluca 14]

IF he stayed 6 months (at a time) or more in Benin, he'll need to get the police clearance certificate from Benin, somehow.

You might want to 'check that', if it's less than 6 months duration, you've no issue.

Is this a function of the type of visa? For my mom, we got a checklist response, which states that police certificates are requested for all countries that the beneficiary has lived for at least 12 months. I read on here that some consulates may request the police certificate if residing in a different country for 6 months.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Some consulates use the 6 month rule and others the 1 year rule. If you don't provide the police report they will hold up the visa until you have it. They know which ones you can and can't get reports from. You have to provide it and figure out how to get it. ( I guess if people were planning to marry a USC you would have gotten it when you left the country )

[payxibka 10,044]

Some consulates use the 6 month rule and others the 1 year rule. If you don't provide the police report they will hold up the visa until you have it. They know which ones you can and can't get reports from. You have to provide it and figure out how to get it. ( I guess if people were planning to marry a USC you would have gotten it when you left the country )

The OP is not dealing with any consulate... they are dealing with NVC.... I believe NVC uses the 6 mos. requirement. However, the Department of State website indicates the following:

Police Records

Available in part. Persons born in countries that use the Casier Judiciaire (a combined prison and police record) may obtain a copy of this record from the competent authorities in their native country. In the case of countries other than Benin, this record should contain the police and prison records from Benin, if any. A native-born Beninese should apply to the Tribunal de Premiere Instance that has his birthplace within its jurisdiction. The document may be obtained by mail. Benin police clearances are valid only for three months from the date of issuance. No such limiting language will appear on the face of the Police Clearance document.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3514.html

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Thank You! All four of these replies had helpful suggestions. Me and my husband have filed an IR1. We were approved in 2007 and finally going for this visa interview. I think I will call NVC, explain my husband traveled in and out of Benin, that is because he never was a resident but stayed a long time.

I am confused about what constitutes living there, it sounds like 6 months or more. I will look at my husbands passport to see the all the dates. I think I should confirm with NVC that the Consulate wouldn't require a police certificate from Benin either. I am concerned about any holdup on the visa, as NigeriaorBust said. It would be very difficult cost wise for us to go to Benin, I wondered if Lagos could make a request for his records.

Thanks again for your thoughts, if you have any more suggestion or extra thoughts I'm very open to it. Have a lovely day!

[Darnell 8,478]

ya- review his visa stamps, work up a timeline on paper - if the longest duration is less than 6 months, no need for Benin Police Certificate. Otherwise - need to get it.

When you do call in to NVC, ask for a Supervisor - the front-line clerk you talk with, won't know much.

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

ya- review his visa stamps, work up a timeline on paper - if the longest duration is less than 6 months, no need for Benin Police Certificate. Otherwise - need to get it.

When you do call in to NVC, ask for a Supervisor - the front-line clerk you talk with, won't know much.

Thank you - good thinking Darnell, I need to speak to a supervisor about this one!

[Darnell 8,478]

hey - any news?