how many sets of fingerprints are needed for a police check in Thailand?

[vindon 1]

Me and my fiance recently found out our petition has been approved and last week I received the letter detailing the forms and documents and other requirements I need to get ready for my interview. One is the police check.

I recently lived in Thailand for 18 months, and as it is a requirement to get a police check for every country you have lived in for over a year since turning 16, I need to get one for Thailand.

I found out from the london.usembassy.gov site that this involves sending my fingerprints to Thailand, and I need to get my fingerprints done at a nearby police station. I contacted the police station and I have an appointment but the woman booking me in said that I should check how many sets I need, that she thinks I might need 3 sets. She said people have gone in before for 1 set and have had to come back after finding out that they need 3 sets for a Thai police check. She wasn't sure though and advised me to check.

I can't find any more info on the london.usembassy website and I haven't been able to get an answer from the Thai embassy.

It's expensive enough for 1 set, so I don't want to get 3 if I don't need them. Has anyone else had to get a police check from Thailand? If so, how many sets of fingerprints did you get?

And also what documents did you send to Thailand? I can't find any information about the documents I need to send either.

Any help much appreciated!

Thank you

Lisa

Edited June 24, 2013 by vindon

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

This is what the Dept of State says for Thailand. Scroll way down to police certificates. http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9660

The London Embassy refers you to this Dept of State website for document ts from other countries.

[vindon 1]

Thank you for your reply! I had seen that link actually but the woman at the police station had worried me, but it says 'a set of fingerprints' ..so I just got the one done. I'm sure that will be fine.

I'm still confused about the documents I need to take though.. that page (http://travel.state....5.html?cid=9660) states:

'Non-residents should send their requests to the Royal Thai Police Department at the above address with the required documents and a fingerprint taken by a police authority at their place of residence.'

I am unsure about the required documents. On that page, it states in the paragraph above residents (I was not a resident) should send:

'two recent photographs (2 inch x 2 inch), the original and a copy of his/her passport, identification card, household registration, name change certificate (if any), marriage and divorce certificate (if any). Thai males aged 17-45 must also present military record or proof of exemption from military service.'

This is the only list of documents I can find in reference to getting a Thai police check, but I don't know if this list refers to me.. I wasn't a resident, I didn't have an identification card, household registration or anything else from that list. The only thing I have from that list is my passport, I think maybe I have to send more documents but I don't know. I want to find a list that states 'non-residents should send the following documents ...' but I have had no luck so far..

And I really don't want to send my original passport all the way to Thailand at the moment! I want to find somewhere that states that I what I need to do before I send it.

If anyone has had similar experience, having lived in Thailand and being required to get a police check for their K1, I would love to hear what you sent or where you referred to to find out what to send..

Thanks!

Lisa

[vindon 1]

in case anyone else comes here needing to know the same thing, this is what the UK Home Office says you have to send:

Overseas foreign nationals (previously residing in Thailand):

 Covering note stating application for Police Clearance Certificate

 Photocopy of current passport

 Photocopy of Thai Work Permit (if applicable)

 Two passport sized photographs

 Three sets of fingerprints (taken at Embassy or Met Police station; include seal and signature of officer)

 Self-addressed, stamped envelope.

What are the costs/turnaround?

 No fee, except postage

 Turnaround of up to seven days.

 Overseas applicants should contact the Thai police to arrange return of their

certificate.

Here is the link to a long document which includes info on police checks and other documents from lots of countries (Q to Z), not just Thailand.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/194197/Countries_Q_to_Z_Application_processes_for_foreign_national_criminality_information.pdf

This is just for the UK though, there seems to be slightly different instructions for different countries, some say send your original passport, some say a copy.

Basically, some things on the travel.state.gov website aren't clear and you need to go digging.

I now need to go back to the police station to get 2 more sets of finger prints, as the home office says I need to send 3.

Anyway, I hope this info is useful for someone one day!

Lisa