Obtaining criminal records from other countries

[mayaandcorey 0]

Hi all,

this is my first post here I'm Maya, and my fiancé Corey is the petitioner. I have obtained all the documents needed for the interview, and have my medical scheduled. Finally it feels like we're actually getting somewhere! We first applied in March and I just recently received the package from the embassy. Things are looking pretty good.

But there's one thing that's really starting to worry me. I've lived in Japan for ten months (studying abroad - that's how we met, btw). Do I really need to get police records from Japan? They'd be empty, anyway. To get that I'd have to spend about $150 on the train ride to the Japanese embassy, give them my passport, and then wait for 1-2 months. Is there any chance that the U.S. embassy would not demand that? Or do I really have to wait to schedule the interview until I've obtained it? Could I perhaps send it to them later? Or would it actually be better to just ? What's gonna happen if I turn up at the interview without it? Does anyone have any clue?

I'd be most grateful for any advice.

/Maya & Corey

[John+Lourdelie 28]

Is the passport of the beneficiary going to show that they were in the foreign country for the length of time that is required to get a police cert? I wouldn't take the chance that it would be required and I didn't have it available.

Go here for info:

http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivpolice.html

John

[mayaandcorey 0]

Well, nevermind, it seems it's only necessary if you live in another country for more than twelve months. But I'm calling the U.S. embassy today to confirm.

[mayaandcorey 0]

And just in case anyone searches for this in the future, I just want to say that it was correct - no police certificate needed when you've lived abroad for less than twelve months. Phew

[Audy_Rob 26]

And just in case anyone searches for this in the future, I just want to say that it was correct - no police certificate needed when you've lived abroad for less than twelve months. Phew

Yes, this is correct information. The guidelines are:

1) You need a police certificate from anyplace in your home country you lived six months or more unless the certificate is National level.

2) You need a police certificate from any outside country where you lived fro 12 months or more EXCEPT the USA. You never need to request a police certificate for the US, the Embassy has ways to find out your record in the US.

Good luck.