Police certificate from Moscow

[dustingthestars 9]

I'm currently living in Moscow and have been for the past year. I'm planning on returning to the UK at some point this year in order to start the K-1 process.

I know that I'll need a police certificate for the time I've spent in Russia. Is this something I can arrange before I leave? (if so, how do I go about doing that) or do I have to do it through the Russian Consulate in London (on their website they say it takes between 2 and 4 months to come back! and I must go to London in person to order it and also to collect it!)

[AMP 54]

I'm currently living in Moscow and have been for the past year. I'm planning on returning to the UK at some point this year in order to start the K-1 process.

I know that I'll need a police certificate for the time I've spent in Russia. Is this something I can arrange before I leave? (if so, how do I go about doing that) or do I have to do it through the Russian Consulate in London (on their website they say it takes between 2 and 4 months to come back! and I must go to London in person to order it and also to collect it!)

Oh man are you in for a treat. Try and do it now. because once you leave Russia, its a pain in the Azz. We had to get a lawyer to do it for my wife. Who at the time lived in Israel. It cost use around 600 for doc and translation (Certified) to English (US ).

Good luck

[dustingthestars 9]

That much? The Russian Consulate website quotes £35, I just don't like the idea of waiting 2-4 months for it and having to travel up and down to London to get it if I can go in ZAGS or wherever it is in Moscow to get the same document and pay peanuts for it. I can then get it translated by my office whilst I'm here - takes all the pain out of it...hopefully!

[ONA 133]

While you're in Moscow, you can obtain your police certificate here:

Адрес: Москва, ул. Новочеремушкинская, 67

Телефон: 332-30-58

It's free, but it can take up to a month to obtain it.

I don't know the US Embassy in London requirements, but in Moscow Embassy it's valid for 1 year since issue date. You should find out about London.

[dustingthestars 9]

Ah, The Ministry of Internal Affairs. I know where that is.

I do have a question though. If I decide to leave in August but I apply for the certificate in July, for instance, won't it be missing the days that I had lived in Russia during the application for the certificate? I just want to make sure that I don't get any issues come interview time in London. I guess it can't hurt to email the London Embassy and ask them their opinion on it?

Free is also a bonus!

Edited January 12, 2012 by dustingthestars

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Ah, The Ministry of Internal Affairs. I know where that is.

I do have a question though. If I decide to leave in August but I apply for the certificate in July, for instance, won't it be missing the days that I had lived in Russia during the application for the certificate? I just want to make sure that I don't get any issues come interview time in London. I guess it can't hurt to email the London Embassy and ask them their opinion on it?

Free is also a bonus!

London website says:

Note: United Kigngdom police certificates are valid for one (1) year only. All other foreign police certificates are valid indefinitely, unless the applicant has traveled to the country in the last year. Bearing in mind this information, applicants must ensure that a valid police certificate is presented at the time of their appointment. http://london.usembassy.gov/document_checklist.html#police_certificate

Some how I doubt they would quibble about that little gap in London especially if you tell them how difficult it is to obtain. (If they even notice or think of the gap.) It's kinda like the gap from when you ordered your UK certificate and get to the interview. You could have robbed a few banks in the interim, but the officer gets to make the judgement call that you didn't. I dunno.

[AMP 54]

That much? The Russian Consulate website quotes £35, I just don't like the idea of waiting 2-4 months for it and having to travel up and down to London to get it if I can go in ZAGS or wherever it is in Moscow to get the same document and pay peanuts for it. I can then get it translated by my office whilst I'm here - takes all the pain out of it...hopefully!

Yea, but my wife's passport expires