I lived in the UK till I was 16 and 6 months. Do I need a UK police certificate?

[*C&C* 6]

Does anyone know the answer to this?

I grew up in the UK and left for Australia when I was 16 years and 6 months old.

This table from the Australian embassy doesn't seem to say one way or the other (http://canberra.usembassy.gov/fiance_niv_appl.html).

If the applicant… And… Then the applicant needs a police certificate from… is living in their country of nationality at their current residence for more than 6 months is 16 years old or older the police authorities of that locality. lived in a different part of their country of nationality for more than 6 months was 16 years or older at that time the police authorities of that locality. lived in a different country for more than 12 months was 16 years or older at that time the police authorities of that locality. was arrested for any reason, regardless of how long they lived there was any age at that time the police authorities of that locality.

You see, I lived in the UK for more than 12 months, but I was only 16 years or older there for 6 months.

When I asked the Sydney consulate they just sent a generic 'we'll tell you if we need more documents when we give you an interview date'. But I'm so pushed for time with my visa that I want to know now if I have to order a UK police certificate as well.

Anyone got experience with this issue?

[Cathi 5,849]

yes you do. Any country that you have lived in for 6 months or more after turning the age of 16 requires a police certificate.

[agnesb 47]

Does anyone know the answer to this?

I grew up in the UK and left for Australia when I was 16 years and 6 months old.

This table from the Australian embassy doesn't seem to say one way or the other (http://canberra.usembassy.gov/fiance_niv_appl.html).

If the applicant And Then the applicant needs a police certificate from is living in their country of nationality at their current residence for more than 6 months is 16 years old or older the police authorities of that locality. lived in a different part of their country of nationality for more than 6 months was 16 years or older at that time the police authorities of that locality. lived in a different country for more than 12 months was 16 years or older at that time the police authorities of that locality. was arrested for any reason, regardless of how long they lived there was any age at that time the police authorities of that locality.

You see, I lived in the UK for more than 12 months, but I was only 16 years or older there for 6 months.

When I asked the Sydney consulate they just sent a generic 'we'll tell you if we need more documents when we give you an interview date'. But I'm so pushed for time with my visa that I want to know now if I have to order a UK police certificate as well.

Anyone got experience with this issue?

As oer embassy website I believe you'd need it if you'd have lived in UK for over 12 months after you turned 16. Unless you were arrested at any time of that stay then you'd need it reardless of how long you lived there for and how old were you.

[aaron2020 11,652]

Go get it.

Better to have it and not need it, rather than need it an not have it.

[austex 43]

Hi C & C I agree with aaron2020 I would get it just in case. Things will get held up if you need it and don't have it. Start the process now rather than wait until you actually need it seen as it is from another country.

M.

[*C&C* 6]

I emailed them a 2nd time asking for a specific answer. They replied:

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

If you are a British citizen and resided in the UK for 6 months or more since reaching the age of 16, then you will require a UK police certificate.

Thank you

U.S. Consulate General, Sydney

Immigrant Visa Unit

(CC)

So there you go - 6 months over 16 is the magic cut off. The instructions on the Australian embassy website is not clear on this at all. I have now ordered the Police Check, but this will set us back.

(If anyone has tips on whether you can speed up the British police check, beyond paying for their 'premium' service which I've done, let me know)