Police Clearance from country other than her homeland

[Lena and Igor 5]

We are rather early in the K-1 process. Received NOA-1 on January 14, 2011. In preparation for the Ukrainian (Kyiv) US Embassy interview, we are compiling the necessary documents. Since my fiance lived in Cabo Verde, Africa for 3 years in 96 - 98, how important or compelling is it to produce a police clearance from Cabo Verde? The problem is that she must either present herself in-person to request the clearance or an interested person may request the document for her. Has anyone had this issue and what was the resolution. Spasiba bolshoye!

[Ab44 3]

My impression is that it is very important for her to get that, especially considering it was for 3 years..I really don't know if since it was in the 90s it was less important? But I would think they need that for the background checks and things. At any rate it might raise a red flag if there is a period of time not accounted for. My fiance was in Spain for like 6 years recently. For us luckily he has a friend there who would be the "interested party" to request it. You might try asking USCIS about it; but then again you might get differing info..Some countries have a treaty between them which could enable your fiance to request through the embassy for one. In our case there was no such treaty between Venezuela and Spain. Booo more red tape for our process! Sorry I don't have better info, we are in the midst of looking into this as well. Good luck!

[Lena and Igor 5]

My impression is that it is very important for her to get that, especially considering it was for 3 years..I really don't know if since it was in the 90s it was less important? But I would think they need that for the background checks and things. At any rate it might raise a red flag if there is a period of time not accounted for. My fiance was in Spain for like 6 years recently. For us luckily he has a friend there who would be the "interested party" to request it. You might try asking USCIS about it; but then again you might get differing info..Some countries have a treaty between them which could enable your fiance to request through the embassy for one. In our case there was no such treaty between Venezuela and Spain. Booo more red tape for our process! Sorry I don't have better info, we are in the midst of looking into this as well. Good luck!

Thank you for your quick response. She has a friend who remains in Cabo Verde and called her yesterday to request what you suggest. Her friend agreed to look into this at the Ministerio da Justico. I will call the US Embassy to verify the need. Good luck!

[Ab44 3]

oh ps. i was just thinking about that some more..If she was under the age of 16 in the 90s then I don't think it's important..I believe you only need police clearance for countries you were in since the age of 16. I do remember reading that somewhere. But also look at the items on the forms, they ask stuff like last address outside the US for more than a year..so if she had put Africa, then maybe you need that? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

[Lena and Igor 5]

oh ps. i was just thinking about that some more..If she was under the age of 16 in the 90s then I don't think it's important..I believe you only need police clearance for countries you were in since the age of 16. I do remember reading that somewhere. But also look at the items on the forms, they ask stuff like last address outside the US for more than a year..so if she had put Africa, then maybe you need that? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

Thanks again. Just spoke with someone in the consular section at the US Embassy, Kyiv. She suggested two options:

1. My fiance should contact the US Embassy in Cabo Verde and ask for assistance in obtaining the clearance (which by the way sounds ludicrous - why would the US Embassy in Cabo Verde even talk with a Ukrainian national?)

2. Suggested she send an email to: www.kyiviv@state.gov and explain her situation and ask for a suggested resolution.

Onward!

[iampatricias 17]

It's a sticky issue for me too - I lived in Holland for one year on an international exchange during my third year of university. BUT, for the sake of the K1 processing, only the NVC is allowed to request a police clearance from wherever in Amsterdam. I've just very recently figured out how to encourage NVC to get on that and will have to wait and see how much that delays our process. I hope you get what you need without too much trouble and good on you to look for it from the beginning!

[Lena and Igor 5]

Thank you for your insight. We will try to communicate with an old friend who lives in Cabo Verde in hopes of having her seek-out the Police Clearance for my fiance.

[lvcouple2010 11]

My K1 fiancee lived in Turkmenistan. I (US citizen sponsor) contacted the Consolate in Turkmenistan via their website email address. They responded quickly and asked for scanned copies of her passport and addresses she lived at while in Turkmenistan. I provided these electronically and they told me it would be a few weeks. The whole process (so far) was very easy. It's been two weeks, so nothing yet, but they people at the Consolate have been very courteous and prompt in their replies. I think you should be the one to ask though, since the Consolate works for "you" (US Citizen). Just my 2 cents.

[lvcouple2010 11]

BTW: I recommend doing business via email so you have a written record of who, when, what was said. That might make a difference some time down the road.

[Lena and Igor 5]

I just had this exact conversation with my fiancé. She also asked me to make copies of email correspondence, phone logs to Embassies, etc. to as you say, help us make a difference down the road. I did send an email to kyiviv.state.gov today asking for their help and a solution. Thanks all!