One more police certificate question - UK

[latteberry 1]

I searched for this topic but the answer wasn't clear:

My spouse has lived in Hertfordshire for 9 years, and London before that. We applied last spring for his police certificate at the Hertfordshire Constabulary. The certificate came from NIS, New Scotland Yard, the one with two blue bands, but mentions that it is for information that may be held about him by Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Do we need to apply for a second certificate via the London Metropolitan Constabulary, even though it would be coming from NIS as well, or should this piece of paper that we have now cover us? We're now at the DS-230 stage and I'm afraid I may have goofed with this. I hate to delay our application because I neglected to apply for all necessary certificates months ago when we applied for the one we have.

If we have to apply for it, would it help us to send in what we have, minus the certificate from London, apply for it now, and have it ready when it's asked for by NVC? Or will that delay the process even further?

Thanks much, and happy new year! We hope to be in the US by this time next year, knocking wood!!!

Lisa

[gwenneh 7]

The certificate you have covers all addresses you've mentioned - no worries!

[BritishGuy36 0]

Does it take quite a while for this to come through then?

I am about to send off my I-130 soon.....should I go ahead and get the police report done as soon as possible?

[zoobuffalo 0]

Does it take quite a while for this to come through then?

I am about to send off my I-130 soon.....should I go ahead and get the police report done as soon as possible?

I'd say apply for it asap - then you'll have it when you need it. Mine took about a month to come through, and this was extra waiting for us after we'd finished all the other forms

[BritishGuy36 0]

Ok thanks. What exactly is it that I am asking the police for?

[Dylan'sWife 2]

I'd say apply for it asap - then you'll have it when you need it. Mine took about a month to come through, and this was extra waiting for us after we'd finished all the other forms

I think that is premature. He hasn't even received and NOA1 yet. Most consulates will not accept a pollice certificate that is more than 10 months old, if he getts one now with the current wait times it is possible that it will expire before his interview.

I say wait untill you get your NOA2, then apply for it as it's taking about a month for an approved I-130 to reach the NVC. That way it will be fresh when they request it.

[BritishGuy36 0]

Thank you.

If someone who emmigrated from Britain could just tell me what the proper name is of the actual document that I am asking for.....

[MargotDarko 0]

Thank you.

If someone who emmigrated from Britain could just tell me what the proper name is of the actual document that I am asking for.....

It's a subject access form, but if you contact your local police you should probably ask for a "police check for the purpose of immigrating to the US". I would try looking up your local police online first. They may have a form you can download. It should cost 10 GBP. You apply through your local police but it goes through them to the national system and you get a report for all of your addresses in the UK. It takes about 40 days.

You're sending the I-130 directly to the London USCIS office though, right? I would go ahead and apply for the police check within the next few weeks. The whole process through London shouldn't take more than six months and can sometimes take as little as four months.

[BritishGuy36 0]

1) You're sending the I-130 directly to the London USCIS office though, right?

2) The whole process through London shouldn't take more than six months and can sometimes take as little as four months.

1) Yes!

2) Good!

Edited January 4, 2008 by BritishGuy36

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Most consulates will not accept a pollice certificate that is more than 10 months old, if he getts one now with the current wait times it is possible that it will expire before his interview.

UK police certificates are good for 12 months when dealing with the London Embassy. Just a heads up.

[latteberry 1]

Thanks everyone! This is a weight off my mind.

[latteberry 1]

I WAS GIVEN THE WRONG INFORMATION HERE, AND IT'S DELAYED OUR APPLICATION.

The certificate must come from the A.C.P.O., the one we had was rejected, even though it comes from New Scotland Yard and has the blue bands across it.

Thanks a bunch. I just want to freaking come home already.

[latteberry 1]

Here is where the NVC directed me. http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp

I have to include a picture of my husband, and it has to be signed on the back with a statement that I don't even think will fit on it, signed by someone who is not a family member who he has known for at least two years, and they have to be a doctor, lawyer, barrister, teacher, solicitor, etc. So even his friends can't do it.

I can't even believe this is happening. When did they stop accepting the forms from New Scotland Yard??

Edited March 20, 2008 by latteberry

[bakofoil 27]

Hey wait just a minute! When you asked back in January no one here even knew about the ACPO form. The ACPO instructions came in to effect only last month - approximately February 15th.

I understand your frustration but everyone who posted on this thread back in January gave you correct information.

[Army_Wife 2]

Don't panic everyone .... you don't need a month anymore to get police certificate from the U.K.

The process changed couple of weeks ago

http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp

Sure, the cost has gone up to £35 but it takes 7 days and covers all addresses lived at. The certificate is valid for 6 months max ..... if you're in a rush, there is an expedited certificate for £70.

I think the old £10 version is valid till August, but don't quote me on that .... the U.S. Embassy may have decided to only accept these new ones without telling us.

Use the link above and it will take you to the new application form that you download .... read the instructions carefully, you'll need signed photos now.