ACRO Police Check Waiting Times

[PalmTrees 34]

Hello! Just a quick question.

How long does a police check take to come through? If I chose the standard service how long would it be? I am spending some time in the States with my fiance until December and our petition has already reached the NVC. Whereas this is fantastic news, I'm concerned that if I wait till I'm home to send my police check in it could delay our case.

I would be sending it in the first week of January (need to get it signed by a doctor so hopefully they could do it as soon as I ask), and my approved NOA2 expires Feb 21st. Would this be cutting it short?

I'm considering having a photo done here, sending it home and then getting a family member to take it into the doctor to endorse... Would that be possible?

Thanks in advance for any help with this issue

Edited October 31, 2013 by PalmTrees

[Nilet699 4]

Hello! Just a quick question.

How long does a police check take to come through? If I chose the standard service how long would it be? I am spending some time in the States with my fiance until December and our petition has already reached the NVC. Whereas this is fantastic news, I'm concerned that if I wait till I'm home to send my police check in it could delay our case.

Mine was received on a monday morning, and i had it back 8 business days later. The form states a maximum of 10 though. It's valid for a while though so now would likely not be too early, however the wait time isnt bad at all.

I would be sending it in the first week of January (need to get it signed by a doctor so hopefully they could do it as soon as I ask), and my approved NOA2 expires Feb 21st. Would this be cutting it short?

You might be pushing getting the medical, and then interview done in time in 6 weeks, depending on current wait times etc, however, it doesnt seem very hard to extend the NOA2 time, someone else will tell you how though. (think its just a re-affirmation letter.)

I'm considering having a photo done here, sending it home and then getting a family member to take it into the doctor to endorse... Would that be possible?

Why does it need to be signed by a doctor? Do you mean to verify that it is in fact the likeness of you? If so, there are MANY options available for this, for example, i used a friend who is a postman. I seriously doubt that a doctor would be willing to verify a photo of you when you are not there, as it would equate to fraud. Having a family friend do this who was in one of the many other available positions, teacher, post man etc etc etc would be much easier.

Thanks in advance for any help with this issue

[JBW 0]

I sent the application for mine to the UK on 22nd Oct, from Australia. Received an email on 29th October saying they had received it. They say standard service takes 10 working days. The form gives a long list of suitable people to endorse your photo, anyone in those categories who has known you for 2 years is OK.

[shell20 746]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to need an ACRPO as I now have my NOA2. Is the standard service the one that can take up to 40 days or are you talking about the fast service? I'm confused as when I looked at their website it said can take up to 40 days but Im reading on the forums that they are quoting up to 10 working days. Thanks for your help.

[shell20 746]

Oh I forgot, this might be of some help I think ACRPO ask for passport photos in standard British size, so if you are thinking of getting your photos done in the USA, hopefully there will be a machine there that does all different sizes for different countries.

[Nilet699 4]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to need an ACRPO as I now have my NOA2. Is the standard service the one that can take up to 40 days or are you talking about the fast service? I'm confused as when I looked at their website it said can take up to 40 days but Im reading on the forums that they are quoting up to 10 working days. Thanks for your help.

Copy pasted directly from their application form;

Payment:

Standard Service - £45.00 (10 working days, Not including dates of receipt or dispatch)

Premium Service - £80.00 (2 working days, Not including dates of receipt or dispatch)

Application form itself is here: http://www.acro.police.uk/uploadedFiles/Police%20Certificate%20Application%20Form%20-%20ENGLISH%20-%20July%202013-2.pdf

Oh I forgot, this might be of some help I think ACRPO ask for passport photos in standard British size, so if you are thinking of getting your photos done in the USA, hopefully there will be a machine there that does all different sizes for different countries.

Go to walgreens for this. They have it the British seize available and its only about $6 (Don't quote me on that price though)

[shell20 746]

Thank you SO much!! That is another thing of my mind and my tick list! I love this forum everyone is so friendly and helpful.

[PalmTrees 34]

Thanks for the replies. I might just wait until I'm home then if it takes 10 working days as stated on the form (sorry, missed that part). If I get a bit worried I guess I can always pay for the expedited option.

I wanted to use my doctor because she would be good at squeezing me in to do this with no medical appointment, she can be accommodating. I think she is the person I have known longest, the others wouldn't be for two years I don't think. I guess I could pop into my old high school to see if a teacher could do this but I left 8 years ago so I'm not sure who would still be there that would remember me. That might be awkward haha. I have a family friend who is a police officer... or maybe just quit, would have to check.

I'm probably over-thinking all of this... Thank you for the replies, they are helping out a lot! I love this forum too, so many answers for every question, no matter how big or little.

[shell20 746]

If this helps you you can use a long list of people in the community. You can even use a care worker. I think its any one that is a public worker, works in the community or probably has an enhanced CRB. I rang the ACRPO a few months ago regarding who could sign. Apparently it no longer has to be a "professional" as you it use to be with the passport form, but someone who is I guess "trustworthy".

[Nilet699 4]

If this helps you you can use a long list of people in the community. You can even use a care worker. I think its any one that is a public worker, works in the community or probably has an enhanced CRB. I rang the ACRPO a few months ago regarding who could sign. Apparently it no longer has to be a "professional" as you it use to be with the passport form, but someone who is I guess "trustworthy".

Photograph Endorsement

In order to satisfy ACRO requirements, the back of your photograph needs to be signed

and dated by an individual employed as one of the following or similar profession:

Accountant Social Worker

Airline Pilot Solicitor

Ambulance Service Official / Paramedic Surveyor

Architect Teacher

Bank / Building Society Official Trade Union Officer

Barrister Tutor

Care Worker (Registered) Valuer or Auctioneer

Company Chairman Veterinarian

Chemist Veterinary Nurse

Chiropodist

Civil Servant (Permanent)

Commissioner of Oaths

Councillor (Local or County)

Dentist

Director

Doctor

Engineer

Executive

Financial Adviser

Fire Service Official

Funeral Director

Insurance Broker

IT Specialist

Judge

Justice of the Peace

Lawyer

Lecturer

Legal Secretary

Magistrate

Manager

Medical Consultant/Specialist

Member of a Chartered Institute

Member of Parliament

Merchant Navy Officer

Minister of a Recognised Religion

Museum Curator

Notary Public

Nurse (SRN or other qualification)

Officer of the Armed Services (Active or Retired)

Optician

Personal Licence Holders (Liquor/Alcohol)

Personnel Officer

Pharmacist

Police Officer/Police Civilian Staff

Post Office Official

Prison Officer

Probation Officer

Salvation Army Officer

This list covers basically any one. I mean, personal license holders? My best friend is a bar man, completely irresponsible, but he has this license.

Then there's manager....... everyone knows a manager.....

[shell20 746]

Funny stuff! I can actually endorse them too and I am a dizzy blonde, so that says it all really! Lol

[JoannaV 174]

Just another voice saying they really do process the police certificate applications in the time they say (Only reason for a delay would be if, like, Royal Mail was on strike!) I did pay for the expedited service, I think it was because I was only back in the UK for a brief time so wanted to receive it and then submit everything to NVC, and that was even faster than I expected, the date on the certificate was actually a Saturday, so it was quicker than business days would have you expect

The NOA2 expiration date really isn't a big deal, you just make sure you have a new letter of intent at the interview

[Mcbride260808 1]

I used the speedy service too - they were very good. even called me at 8pm to ask for another proof of address! which I was able to take a photograph of and send via my iphone. really accommodating and helpful.

[LauraDP 10]

I used the standard service and had mine back within a week. I was a "no trace" and had only lived in Scotland and England so maybe that sped it up a bit. Who knows. But it was one of the quickest elements of the whole immigration process for me.

Best wishes

Laura

[Vanitas 310]

I used Premium on the other hand as I wanted to speed things up a bit. Sent on Monday via 1st Class Recorded, delivered on Tuesday (also got confirmation email from them at 7pm), arrived in post on Thursday. However I will note I live in Hampshire where you send the stuff off to so that might be another reason why I got it so quickly.