Police Certificate Australia confusing

[jalvernaz 0]

My wife is in Australia and we filed an I-130 for her to move to the states. Petition was approved at USCIS. Now its at NVC and we've paid the AOS and IV. But I'm still confused about the police certificate requirements when sending the ds-230. She lives in Queensland and on the website for the consulate in Sydney says that anyone who lives in NSW and QLD the police certificate is mailed straight to the Consulate. So do we need to get another copy to send with ds-230 to nvc?? And I see that the certificate is nation wide, but I saw something that said if you lived in another state for more than six months you need one from there as well. She used to live in NSW so do we need one from there too even though its a nation wide check??? Thanks so much for your time

[trailmix 77]

My wife is in Australia and we filed an I-130 for her to move to the states. Petition was approved at USCIS. Now its at NVC and we've paid the AOS and IV. But I'm still confused about the police certificate requirements when sending the ds-230. She lives in Queensland and on the website for the consulate in Sydney says that anyone who lives in NSW and QLD the police certificate is mailed straight to the Consulate. So do we need to get another copy to send with ds-230 to nvc?? And I see that the certificate is nation wide, but I saw something that said if you lived in another state for more than six months you need one from there as well. She used to live in NSW so do we need one from there too even though its a nation wide check??? Thanks so much for your time

This is the information I found on their website:

What sort of police check do I need? Do I have to apply in each state?

The Australian police check must be done on the basis of a fingerprint check.You do not have to apply from each state youve lived in unless you were born before 1941. In that case only, you will need to apply in each state where you have lived. Application forms for police checks are available from your local police station.

For NVC (department of state) instructions, have a look here (this means you don't personally send one to NVC):

If you reside in Queensland

Check with your local police station if you need an appointment, then go in person to be fingerprinted. You must pay the prescribed fee of AUD146.70 (subject to change, please check the current fee with the police) and complete an indemnification form required by the Queensland Police Department. You must then forward the fingerprints, completed indemnification form, and payment to:

Inspector of Police, Information Bureau, Miscellaneous License Section, GPO Box 1440

Brisbane, QLD 4001. Telephone: (07) 3364-6854.

Please find further details on the Queensland Police website.

Return of police certificates for NSW and Queensland residents

For NSW and Queensland residents, your police record will be sent directly to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney by the police department, and the Criminal Records Section will notify you that this has been done. If you do not receive this notification within 3 weeks of your application, we strongly recommend that you ascertain the status of your records by checking at the police station where you initially made your request.

Edited May 19, 2010 by trailmix

[VanessaTony 3,567]

My wife is in Australia and we filed an I-130 for her to move to the states. Petition was approved at USCIS. Now its at NVC and we've paid the AOS and IV. But I'm still confused about the police certificate requirements when sending the ds-230. She lives in Queensland and on the website for the consulate in Sydney says that anyone who lives in NSW and QLD the police certificate is mailed straight to the Consulate. So do we need to get another copy to send with ds-230 to nvc?? And I see that the certificate is nation wide, but I saw something that said if you lived in another state for more than six months you need one from there as well. She used to live in NSW so do we need one from there too even though its a nation wide check??? Thanks so much for your time

The check is a Federal Police check and is nationwide therefore you only need the ONE police check and it will cover all of Australia, no need for a separate NSW one.

This is the Police check link: http://canberra.usembassy.gov/obtain_police_cert.html

Given this:

"Return of police certificates for NSW and Queensland residents

For NSW and Queensland residents, your police record will be sent directly to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney by the police department, and the Criminal Records Section will notify you that this has been done. If you do not receive this notification within 3 weeks of your application, we strongly recommend that you ascertain the status of your records by contacting the Criminal Records Section, Parramatta or the Information Bureau, Brisbane."

I would probably enclose a photocopy of the notice stating the records were sent to NVC in place of the actual police check and it's photocopy.

If you want to know how the police check thing was handled by a fellow Aussie, please head over to the Aussie chat thread (link in my sig). I know Astrid at least is (well WAS now I suppose :S) from QLD.

Best of luck.