Obtaining Police Clearance Certificate in Russia

[bsroy 0]

Hello Everyone,

I have been a lurker for a while and found this forum to be highly informative. Thanks to everyone for their contribution.

I am an USC and my fiancee is Russian, awaiting her petition to be adjudicated by USCIS (Vermont). She lives in the Republic of Dagestan (North Caucasus region). She went to the police station recently to obtain her police clearance certificate. However, the police officer there told her that they will not be able to give her a police certificate. The request for a certificate has to come from US Embassy in Moscow and only then they can act on it.

I am very worried that waiting for US Embassy to make the request will take a very long time. They may not even do it. We are wondering if others on this forum had a similar experience. Would you have any suggestion for us on how to proceed now to get the police certificate? Does Russia have any "standard procedure" for issuing police certificate?

Thanks,

B&G

[payxibka 10,045]

Here is the information from the US Department of State:

Police and Prison Records

Available. Russian law (MVD Order no. 965, dated November 1, 2001) mandates that the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) provide police certificates both to Russian citizens and to foreigners who have lived or are living in Russia. The law states that in Russia, MVD offices must provide the certificate within 30 days. Those residing outside of Russia, both Russian citizens and non-citizens, may either delegate a Power-of-Attorney to apply for the certificate on their behalf in Russia, or apply directly to the Russian Consulate. Police certificates should note all names that the person has used in Russia, and should note the MVD branches in all locations that were queried.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc...ocity_3656.html

[slim 1,525]

With the current situation in Dagestan, she'd probably be better off just getting a Russian police report and submitting that to the embassy. Those autonomous regions are weird in how they deal with situations like this. They don't want to "do Russia any favors" for anything. As far as the U.S. is concerned, Dagestan is still part of Russia, right? (Same as Tatarstan or any of the other "independent" parts of Russia?)

[bsroy 0]

Thanks, Slim. Dagestan is part of Russian Federation. My fiancee is now trying the Ministry of External Affiars (МВД) at the capital of Dagestan (Makhachkala) and we are waiting to see what happens there. I will post it here if anything happens.

Do you know how to get the "Russian police report" that you referred to? Does she still has to go to some police station in Dagestan for that?

[chili74 0]

My husband, though he lives close to Moscow, had success only when he went to the Main Information Center of MVD Rossii (ul. Novocheryomushkinskaya 67). He did not have a request from the US Embassy. It took 1 month to get (he was born in St. P and then lived in Moscow). The more places you have lived, the longer it may take.

We were going to advise her to go to that address in Moscow, but maybe there is another "information center for MVD Rossii" closer to your fiancee.

[slim 1,525]

Do you know how to get the "Russian police report" that you referred to? Does she still has to go to some police station in Dagestan for that?

She'll have to go to her "regional-level" police station and request a copy. I'm not sure which one it would be there but it's the equivalent of what the State Police would be here.

Also, several hundred dollars will help "clear it up."

[412 0]

Dagestan is part of Russia, and that cop was talking out of his a$$ just waiting for a bribe. In Caucasus you pay for anything. Well, in Russia pretty much too, but especially in the Caucasus.

[bsroy 0]

My fiancee's interview is early next week and I am still not sure if the document she got is really the police certificate or something different altogether. My fiancee had to spend quite a bit of money under the table and a lot of visits to various offices to get to this point.

In any case, here are the two documents she has:

1. A request from local office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the Police Colonel in the capital (Machachkala), saying "We are sending you Inquiry 159 for citizen G".

2. In response to that request, the Police Colonel from the capital sent a duly signed form called Inquiry 159 (ТРЕБОВАНИЕ 159), which is filled out with the following information:

- Her name, address, date and place of birth

- The reason for inquiry: trip abroad

- Certificate needed: Police record

Does anyone know if this is really the police clearance certificate or not? Thanks for your help!

[bsroy 0]

Just wanted to keep everyone informed that this was the right Police Report. My fiancee just finished her interview successfully! We prepared quite intensively, but the interview was quite easy! Thanks to everyone for their help.

[chili74 0]

Great! Thanks for letting us know and best wishes for the rest of your journey.