"Police Record" vs. "Criminal Record" vs. "Police Certificate"?

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You're probably thinking the same thing as me: aren't all of those the same document? Apparently not.

We're at the NVC now, and we collected all of the relevant paperwork. The instructions say "police certificate", so off my hubby went to get the best police certificate out there. We don't want to take any chances on this, so every t is crossed and every i dotted.

My husband went to the capital city of Rwanda to acquire the actual, meaningful police paper, which states that his record is clear for the entire country. This paper is called a "Extrait du Casier Judiciaire" (aka Police Criminal Record Report), which the US government considers a "Criminal Record" (see the link here, scroll down to the bottom). The Rwandan government in the capital has access to all police information in the entire country, and issues this one paper for the entire country. Piece of cake.

or so we thought...

Well, the NVC wants what is called a "Certificat de Bonne Conduite" (aka Certificate of Good Conduct) from every province where my husband has lived. The NVC considers this a "Police Record", and it essentially says the same thing, but is less meaningful.

Riddle me this: Why, when we sent in the "Extrait du Casier Judiciaire", are they insisting on the "Certificat de Bonne Conduite"? What in the world is the difference between a "police record" and a "criminal record"?

This is the most asinine process ever. I'm ready to pack my bags and move to Rwanda, where I can hire a nice boy or girl to do my laundry, another to do my housecleaning, another to cook, another to keep the lawn, and I'll never have to see a flake of snow again.

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I just called NVC and they're telling me that a person can't have "criminal report" if they've never been convicted of a crime.

My husband's criminal report says "--- has never been convicted of a crime".

Similarly, they say that the "police report"'s sole function is to say that the person has never been convicted of a crime.

"Oh dear," says the NVC, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.

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for all of you VJers out there who may be reading my conversation with myself here (perhaps because your fiancee or spouse is from Rwanda or Burundi), take heart: you won't have to go through the insanity because...

I singlehandedly changed the Foreign Affairs Manual to accurately reflect the documents that are available...

for two different countries!

(If you want to thank me, chocolate is always a safe bet )

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

*sends some Swiss chocolate*

:D

[S and S 12]

lol, I enjoyed your conversation with yourself and think its good to point out flaws such as this. Glad they saw the light as they rarely do. I take it this means you don't have to send another certificate?

[frali 2]

Good job

[Ling Ling 22]

YOU did THAT!!!

Right on...you are the VJ hero of the week.

Virtual chocolate headed our way.

[luvhasnoborders 0]

Thank you so much!!!!! If I could, I would send you a big box of See's Candy!!!!

[Gretch 11]

This is so old, but just on the off chance you'll ever see it... maybe your email alerts are still set...

You Angel!

Granted, we haven't gotten Case Complete yet, but getting the Extrait du Casier Judiciaire was the was the easiest part of the whole process! I was kind of surprised that the information on what was required for Rwanda was so specific, and now I know who to thank.

On the other hand, I'm jealous that your husband was able to get a birth certificate in only six weeks. My husband's took several months and a couple of trips to Cyangugu.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

***** closing zombie thread. ******