European Criminal Records and K-1 Visa

[EllinDiasporas 1]

Dear VJ members,

I have a question for you, though I'm not sure whether I've posted it in the right forum. My fiancee has her K-1

visa interviewed for Sept. 17th at the U.S. Embassy in Greece. I'm very confident we have everything ready,

which includes packet 3 (which we sent back in), documents related to I-134 affidavit of financial support and

proof of ongoing relationship. She also had her medical exams done last week.

I'm fidgeting on one thing: My fiancee is Greek and has lived all her life in Greece but did spend one year (2009-2010)

working in Rome, Italy. The letter from the embassy requests her penal (criminal) records. Residents of Athens, Greece,

such as my fiancee, can obtain these from a special police office (Bureau of Penal Records – Ministry of Justice). Specifically, this office transmits these directly to the embassy.

The Greek police officers at the Bureau of Penal Records assured her that she no longer needs to get any criminal records

from Rome, as the European Union now operates under the European Criminal Records Information System

(ECRIS ; see http://ec.europa.eu/justice/criminal/european-e-justice/ecris/). ECRIS has been in effect since April 2012

and all European Union police agencies access a common penal record database. Hence, any penal record issued here

in Greece covers her for all of Europe.

My fiancee applied to have her penal records transmitted to the U.S. Embassy and the Bureau of Penal Records has

confirmed that these were indeed sent about a week ago.

I know I probably sound paranoid but I was wondering if anyone has been in the same position ? Will the Immigration

Visa Unit at the Embassy accept the ECRIS-based penal record or do they insist on going old school, i.e. going to Rome

(which would be a huge pain !), to obtain criminal records.

I guess I'm stressing out as I can't wait to see her and we have a ticket for her to come to the U.S. on Sept. 27th. Please bear with me.

Thanks to all of you in advance !!

[agnesb 47]

Dear VJ members,

I have a question for you, though I'm not sure whether I've posted it in the right forum. My fiancee has her K-1

visa interviewed for Sept. 17th at the U.S. Embassy in Greece. I'm very confident we have everything ready,

which includes packet 3 (which we sent back in), documents related to I-134 affidavit of financial support and

proof of ongoing relationship. She also had her medical exams done last week.

I'm fidgeting on one thing: My fiancee is Greek and has lived all her life in Greece but did spend one year (2009-2010)

working in Rome, Italy. The letter from the embassy requests her penal (criminal) records. Residents of Athens, Greece,

such as my fiancee, can obtain these from a special police office (Bureau of Penal Records Ministry of Justice). Specifically, this office transmits these directly to the embassy.

The Greek police officers at the Bureau of Penal Records assured her that she no longer needs to get any criminal records

from Rome, as the European Union now operates under the European Criminal Records Information System

(ECRIS ; see http://ec.europa.eu/justice/criminal/european-e-justice/ecris/). ECRIS has been in effect since April 2012

and all European Union police agencies access a common penal record database. Hence, any penal record issued here

in Greece covers her for all of Europe.

My fiancee applied to have her penal records transmitted to the U.S. Embassy and the Bureau of Penal Records has

confirmed that these were indeed sent about a week ago.

I know I probably sound paranoid but I was wondering if anyone has been in the same position ? Will the Immigration

Visa Unit at the Embassy accept the ECRIS-based penal record or do they insist on going old school, i.e. going to Rome

(which would be a huge pain !), to obtain criminal records.

I guess I'm stressing out as I can't wait to see her and we have a ticket for her to come to the U.S. on Sept. 27th. Please bear with me.

Thanks to all of you in advance !!

Dear VJ members,

I have a question for you, though I'm not sure whether I've posted it in the right forum. My fiancee has her K-1

visa interviewed for Sept. 17th at the U.S. Embassy in Greece. I'm very confident we have everything ready,

which includes packet 3 (which we sent back in), documents related to I-134 affidavit of financial support and

proof of ongoing relationship. She also had her medical exams done last week.

I'm fidgeting on one thing: My fiancee is Greek and has lived all her life in Greece but did spend one year (2009-2010)

working in Rome, Italy. The letter from the embassy requests her penal (criminal) records. Residents of Athens, Greece,

such as my fiancee, can obtain these from a special police office (Bureau of Penal Records Ministry of Justice). Specifically, this office transmits these directly to the embassy.

The Greek police officers at the Bureau of Penal Records assured her that she no longer needs to get any criminal records

from Rome, as the European Union now operates under the European Criminal Records Information System

(ECRIS ; see http://ec.europa.eu/justice/criminal/european-e-justice/ecris/). ECRIS has been in effect since April 2012

and all European Union police agencies access a common penal record database. Hence, any penal record issued here

in Greece covers her for all of Europe.

My fiancee applied to have her penal records transmitted to the U.S. Embassy and the Bureau of Penal Records has

confirmed that these were indeed sent about a week ago.

I know I probably sound paranoid but I was wondering if anyone has been in the same position ? Will the Immigration

Visa Unit at the Embassy accept the ECRIS-based penal record or do they insist on going old school, i.e. going to Rome

(which would be a huge pain !), to obtain criminal records.

I guess I'm stressing out as I can't wait to see her and we have a ticket for her to come to the U.S. on Sept. 27th. Please bear with me.

Thanks to all of you in advance !!

Unfortunately as far as I am aware you have to obtain police certificate from each country separately regardless if they are part of EU or not. I have not come across any information about ECRIS before with connection to the police certificates within EU and from the website it seems as it is still in a pilot stage anyway.

You can find information on ho to obtain all documents from specific countries on tavel.state.gov website and for example this is page where you an find out how to get italian police certificate http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=8984#docs.

Police Records

Available. The Certificato Generale del Casellario Giudiziale is a certified national record of final court convictions and decisions regarding mental incompetency and bankruptcy or a statement that no such record exists (Nulla).The Certificato dei Carichi Pendenti is a certified record of pending criminal charges, or a statement that no such charges exist, from the office of the Procura della Repubblica in the applicant's place of residence. Both certificates are required from immigrant visa applicants residing in Italy.

Persons within Italy can obtain the Casellario Giudiziale by applying in person or by mail at any office of the Procura della Repubblica. The Carichi Pendenti must be obtained at the Procura della Repubblica in the area that the applicant resides. Such offices are located in all major cities and in many small cities and large towns. Those who apply in person must submit a written request, a photocopy of a photo ID and all fees; the certificates are usually provided the day of the request.

Persons outside of Italy can obtain the Casellario Giudiziale by writing to:

Ufficio del Casellario Giudiziale della Procura della Repubblica

Piazzale Clodio

00195 Rome (RM) Italia

Persons outside of Italy can obtain the Carichi Pendenti by writing to:

Procura della Repubblica presso il Tribunale di ROMA

Piazzale Clodio

00195 ROMA (RM) Italia

Those requesting the certificate by mail, whether from within or outside Italy, must submit a written request, a photocopy of a photo i.d., and all fees, along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Mail requests are normally processed within three working days. Information concerning fees and application procedures is available from any office of the Procura della Repubblica or online at http://www.giustizia.it.

[EllinDiasporas 1]

Thank you so much for the reply Agnes,

I looked up the site you mention. I guess it'll be best to contact the Italian authorities but also double-check with the

immigrant visa unit. I'll admit I'm a little worried as the Greek police were adamant that one no longer had to worry about

getting records from multiple places.

I took a look at your timeline. If I may ask I assume you got records from both the UK and Poland ?

Thanks again !

[agnesb 47]

Thank you so much for the reply Agnes,

I looked up the site you mention. I guess it'll be best to contact the Italian authorities but also double-check with the

immigrant visa unit. I'll admit I'm a little worried as the Greek police were adamant that one no longer had to worry about

getting records from multiple places.

I took a look at your timeline. If I may ask I assume you got records from both the UK and Poland ?

Thanks again !

I doubt that greek or italian authorities will be able to give you correct info on what US immigrations may require for visa purposes. Check with US consular but I doubt you'll get answer you would like to hear.

Yes, for my interview in London I have provided both british and polish certificates.

Hope you'll get your answers and it wont take long for the italian certificate to come through!

[EllinDiasporas 1]

Got it Agnes, I'll look into it fully and will keep my feet on the ground in case of adverse response.

The one thing is that the embassy insists that all penal records be transmitted to them which is a little odd.

In any case, I'll look into this and will update soon. Thank you again !

[EllinDiasporas 1]

Hi Agnes,

Just a follow-up on this discussion. I communicated with the U.S. Embassy in Athens (via email ; the only way the immigrant visa unit will allow you to do so). Apparently, you need only supply police certificates from other countries if you've had 12 more more months of residence there. This is a bit in conflict with what the official website of the Dept. of State says which is 6 months.

Nonetheless, the embassy emphasized 12 months (in two separate emails) and my fiancee worked and lived in Rome for 10 months. They claim we're OK, though I'll make sure she takes to the interview her employment papers that show her stay in Rome. Hopefully, there won't be some odd employee and everything will go through smoothly.

Thanks again for your feedback and best of luck in your pursuits !

[agnesb 47]

Hi Agnes,

Just a follow-up on this discussion. I communicated with the U.S. Embassy in Athens (via email ; the only way the immigrant visa unit will allow you to do so). Apparently, you need only supply police certificates from other countries if you've had 12 more more months of residence there. This is a bit in conflict with what the official website of the Dept. of State says which is 6 months.

Nonetheless, the embassy emphasized 12 months (in two separate emails) and my fiancee worked and lived in Rome for 10 months. They claim we're OK, though I'll make sure she takes to the interview her employment papers that show her stay in Rome. Hopefully, there won't be some odd employee and everything will go through smoothly.

Thanks again for your feedback and best of luck in your pursuits !

Hi, glad it worked out ok and you got your answers :-)