PCCs for stepchild who just turned 16

[peteagus 1]

I'm the USC petitioner for my wife and stepchildren, and we've recently received NVC notices that all three cases are documentarily qualified. We're waiting on interviews!

We live in Cote d'Ivoire (CI) now, but my wife and stepkids previously lived in France and Kenya. As mentioned in the title, the oldest turned 16 in February. He lived in France from birth until 7 years old, Kenya from 8-10, and CI from 11 years old to present. Obviously he'll be 16 at the interview, so there is now a PCC requirement. State Dept is clear on this: PCCs are needed for persons over 16, anywhere they've lived since turning 16. So for him, a PCC from CI. 

 

However, the Embassy-Specific requirements are less clear:

 

 If you are 15 years of age or older: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of
previous residence. If these three items are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:
1. You are 15 years of age or older;
2. You obtained a police certificate and submitted it to NVC more than one year ago; and
3. You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.

 

Ok, so the requirement is anyone over 15. But does this also mean that PCCs are needed for anyone over 15 for anywhere they've lived since birth? (frankly, if this is the case, then they might as well be requesting PCCs for ages 0 and above).

 

I really want to think this is an oversight on the Embassy page, and that their requirement is essentially the same as State's, only 15 years instead of 16. 

 

 

For reference, here are the two info sources:

State: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/collect-and-submit-forms-and-documents-to-the-nvc/step-5-collect-supporting-documents.html#docfinder

Embassy, click Abidjan, see page 3: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/list-of-posts.html

 

We're trying to avoid getting another Kenya PCC, as obtaining my wife's was an enormous undertaking - there are no diplomatic relations between CI and Kenya, so convincing the CI police just to take her fingerprints was a 3 month ordeal, letters from lawyers, bribes, hours in waiting rooms waiting speak to the right people at the Police and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We'd like to avoid that again if possible! Honestly, we'd probably buy the kid a round trip ticket to Nairobi to get his own prints rather than going through that nonsense again. 

 

Anyone experienced something like this, or have any advice?

[John & Rose 7,237]

The 16 year old will need police clearances for everywhere they have lived for 6 months after the age of 16.  Just the local certificate will be required.