Criminal background document needed for AOS?

[BTalley 0]

We hired a paralegal to review the packet we are preparing to send to USCIS, and she says one thing is missing: A piece of paper from local police department stating that Svetlana has no criminal record.

Is this necessary? I do not recall seeing such a requirement in the guides, but my mind is a little numb after all this time.

[Old Dominion 26]

If you are applying for AOS, there is no such requirement. In reviewing your application, the USCIS would check anyway for a police record on the international data base.

By the way, what did the paralegal charge? Many have asked if this step would be useful and worthwhile.

Edited January 10, 2009 by Old Dominion

[BTalley 0]

We found a paralegal that would do it for $60.

We do not mind taking the extra step, but we do not want to wait weeks in case it takes that long to get a simple piece of paper showing that Svetlana has no criminal record in her 2 months here.

[Otto 83]

We hired a paralegal to review the packet we are preparing to send to USCIS, and she says one thing is missing: A piece of paper from local police department stating that Svetlana has no criminal record.

Is this necessary? I do not recall seeing such a requirement in the guides, but my mind is a little numb after all this time.

The police certification was needed for the K1 Visa (embassy/consulate interview stage) and is not a needed item for AOS (or EAD/AP).