I signed up just to submit my story. I had this EXACT same problem with the halifax regional police department. I originally did my record check online like the above person did, it takes 3 days to process and you get a paper back that says it's from mybackcheck.com. There is a file number and it does say "this record check was completed by Halifax Regional Police".
A week or so before my interview in Montreal, I got an email that said:
In reference to your immigrant visa case, please bring the following additional documents on the day of the interview:
- Two recent passport photographs on white background
- Original Canadian police clearance (not the online version)
- Original and photocopy of your sponsor’s birth certificate
- Affidavit of support I-864 signed by your U.S Petitioner
- Photocopy of 2013 U.S Income tax return of your U.S Petitioner
- Photocopy of 2013 U.S Income tax return of your joint sponsor
I had everything except the "original Canadian police clearance" - I had the online version from mybackcheck.com.
So, I took the email and my paperwork to the police dept and asked for a police clearance or certificate, and they told me there was nothing else they could give me and that they were just going to give me the exact same thing as the online version, and they don't do certificates. I had them sign, date and stamp it with the police dept seal on it and everything.
Fast forward to my interview, they took one look at it and said it was not what they wanted, even with the police seal on it and the signature. The person doing my interview even said they've had a number of people come in and say these same stories, that the HFX police dept won't give the actual clearance form or certificate and keep sending people with the online version. She assured me she would call them about it.
Do not leave the police station without it!! Your visa will be denied and you will have to resubmit the police certificate. Immigration gave me a letter called the "refusal worksheet" and on it it says:
"POLICE CERTIFICATE ON HALIFAX POLICE LETTERHEAD"
They need the background check with the police letterhead at the top for paperwork purposes or they will refuse you. I hope this saves someone else the pain and agony of travelling to Montreal for a week or so just to be refused..
I also should mention, for my medical exam, they asked me for 5 passport photos. I had gotten a phone call saying 4, the above email I got said 2, and when I got there they asked for 5. Good thing I brought extra I guess.
AP for police certificate?
in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports
Posted · Edited by sb0658
I signed up just to submit my story. I had this EXACT same problem with the halifax regional police department. I originally did my record check online like the above person did, it takes 3 days to process and you get a paper back that says it's from mybackcheck.com. There is a file number and it does say "this record check was completed by Halifax Regional Police".
A week or so before my interview in Montreal, I got an email that said:
In reference to your immigrant visa case, please bring the following additional documents on the day of the interview:
- Two recent passport photographs on white background
- Original Canadian police clearance (not the online version)
- Original and photocopy of your sponsor’s birth certificate
- Affidavit of support I-864 signed by your U.S Petitioner
- Photocopy of 2013 U.S Income tax return of your U.S Petitioner
- Photocopy of 2013 U.S Income tax return of your joint sponsor
I had everything except the "original Canadian police clearance" - I had the online version from mybackcheck.com.
So, I took the email and my paperwork to the police dept and asked for a police clearance or certificate, and they told me there was nothing else they could give me and that they were just going to give me the exact same thing as the online version, and they don't do certificates. I had them sign, date and stamp it with the police dept seal on it and everything.
Fast forward to my interview, they took one look at it and said it was not what they wanted, even with the police seal on it and the signature. The person doing my interview even said they've had a number of people come in and say these same stories, that the HFX police dept won't give the actual clearance form or certificate and keep sending people with the online version. She assured me she would call them about it.
Do not leave the police station without it!! Your visa will be denied and you will have to resubmit the police certificate. Immigration gave me a letter called the "refusal worksheet" and on it it says:
"POLICE CERTIFICATE ON HALIFAX POLICE LETTERHEAD"
They need the background check with the police letterhead at the top for paperwork purposes or they will refuse you. I hope this saves someone else the pain and agony of travelling to Montreal for a week or so just to be refused..
I also should mention, for my medical exam, they asked me for 5 passport photos. I had gotten a phone call saying 4, the above email I got said 2, and when I got there they asked for 5. Good thing I brought extra I guess.