Police Certificate confusion

[Ryan H 3,812]

I searched old posts and old threads and I find myself confused about police certificates because I have seen contradictory information.

Here is what I am talking about:

1) In old threads and posts, it has been said one police certificate covers all of China.

2) This is copied verbatim from the State Department website:

An applicant must obtain a police certificate from the local police authority:

If you have been living in your country of nationality at their current residence for more than 6 months AND you are 16 years old or older

If you lived in a different part of your country of nationality for more than 6 months AND you were 16 years or older at that time

The way I am interpreting what I'm reading from the State Department website, I'm concluding that if you lived in your hometown in one province at the time when you were 16 for 6 months or more, you obtain a certificate from the local authority

and

If you move to Beijing and live there for 6 months are more and you were 16 or older, you would obtain a certificate from the Beijing authorities for a total of 2 certificates from 2 different authorities.

[payxibka 10,045]

I searched old posts and old threads and I find myself confused about police certificates because I have seen contradictory information.

Here is what I am talking about:

1) In old threads and posts, it has been said one police certificate covers all of China.

2) This is copied verbatim from the State Department website:

An applicant must obtain a police certificate from the local police authority:

If you have been living in your country of nationality at their current residence for more than 6 months AND you are 16 years old or older

If you lived in a different part of your country of nationality for more than 6 months AND you were 16 years or older at that time

The way I am interpreting what I'm reading from the State Department website, I'm concluding that if you lived in your hometown in one province at the time when you were 16 for 6 months or more, you obtain a certificate from the local authority

and

If you move to Beijing and live there for 6 months are more and you were 16 or older, you would obtain a certificate from the Beijing authorities for a total of 2 certificates from 2 different authorities.

Some countries it is still true that the PC's are not issued from a national database... however in other countries it is. These instructions were drafted based on the fact that local PC's are still needed in SOME countries. My wife got one PC for all her time spent in country. You need a China SPECIFIC answer so this is the right forum to get it.

Edited September 25, 2010 by payxibka

[Darnell 8,478]

For China -

it's a National THING -

but

issuance is limited to the City/District/Province

that is listed in the Hukuo Registration Book.

Mostly, any one who 'moves for work' - never, ever updates their Hukuo Registration Book. It just isn't done, as they lose any benefit for any child who might be staying with grandma back at the 'hukuo city' - no school, no healthcare, no anything.

So, if yer lass works in BeiJing, but her Hukuo book is registered in ShenYang, then she must return to ShenYang and get it done there.

OR

Another family member, that's LISTED in the Hukuo Registration Book, can 'get it done' for her, in the listed city, on her behalf. Thankfully, this is allowed.

Have you talked about 'Hukuo Registration Book' with yer lass? If not, this would be a great time, to do so - ask her exactly what her 'registered City' is, in the Hukuo Registration Book.

Review this - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/228853-notarial-birth-certificate/ ignore the bickering, mostly, and have a talk with yer lass?

The 'cool thing' - since you've not filed anything yet to USCIS -

is that IF she's a 'migrant worker'

then she's probably going home for 2 weeks during spring festival next year - and can get her documents (plural) done in her 'hometown' during spring festival - that's the easiest 'time' for any migrant worker to get it done.

Edited September 25, 2010 by Darnell

[Ryan H 3,812]

For China -

it's a National THING -

but

issuance is limited to the City/District/Province

that is listed in the Hukuo Registration Book.

Thanks. This clears up my confusion.

OR

Another family member, that's LISTED in the Hukuo Registration Book, can 'get it done' for her, in the listed city, on her behalf. Thankfully, this is allowed.

Thanks for mentioning that, I was wondering if that was possible and was going to look into that.

Have you talked about 'Hukuo Registration Book' with yer lass? If not, this would be a great time, to do so - ask her exactly what her 'registered City' is, in the Hukuo Registration Book.

While the term 'Hukuo Registration Book' was not used, we have had that conversation. At the outset of this process, I told her that she would need to gather A, B, C, D, E, this, that, the other...you see where I'm going here. She told me that she would have to go to her hometown to get the required documents.

then she's probably going home for 2 weeks during spring festival next year - and can get her documents (plural) done in her 'hometown' during spring festival -

I know police certificates are valid for a year. However, when we were looking at a K1 and I considered retaining the Roth firm (yes our case is straightforward, but I felt it was still necessary, ultimately didn't {$$}) the free start-up material they sent me mentioned that consulates have the discretion of asking for updates to police certificates issued more than 6 months prior to the interview. I don't know how prevalent that is, but I would hate to encounter a delay for that reason. Since it is permissible for a relative listed in the same registration book to obtain documents on behalf of someone else who also listed, this may be the thing to do.

Thanks again for your reply.

[Cortr 3]

As has been stated, one certificate is fine if your wife/fiancee has lived in China for her entire life. My wife lived in several different areas/provinces and just had one. There were no issues at interview time.

[Darnell 8,478]

6 months - ya, that is discretionary.

GUZ IV's practice is

about 10 days AFTER the interview date - is when they claim a one year period stops - so go backwards from that date, 1 year, and figure out the right 'issuance date' for the police clearance certificate.

IMO, is not something to sweat, for today, as you've not filed anything with USCIS.

When to 'get busy'? IMO, the day after NOA-2 approval date, regardless of petition type. USUALLY, it's about 3 to 5 months after NOA-2, for interview day, so is not serious 'age out concern' for the police clearance certificate, IF (and only IF) you follow stuff around the NOA-2 approval date. No need to rush this, for 'get it done now' - as you'd only be wasting time and money.

civil docs needed -

K-1 filer - no civil documents on I-129F submittal - only need civil documents on interview day.

CR-1 filer - need photocopy of white book translation of marriage certificate on I-130 submittal (emphasis on regular photocopy), then need (since it's CHINA) scans of all civil documents for DS-230 submission (NVC Electronic Processing) , then show originals on interview day.

If you are going back to China to marry, strongly suggest you two marry in her Hukuo City - is 'abscence of silliness' when done there, as opposed to 'another city'.

Good Luck !

Edited September 25, 2010 by Darnell

[chinausa 7]

Well, I work in another city other than my hometown, the city listed in my Hukuo Registration Book.

so I obtained 1 police record check in my hometown, and 1 from the city where I live and work now. Just in case the interview office might be too picky about it.

[Darnell 8,478]

IMO - you were lucky to get one from the 'work city' - usually they turn people away.

I know Shenzhen, this year, has been the exception, though.

[aron 0]

My Fiancee had a interview July 26,2010. She had got the police certificate from the HK police dept & the Philippines Police and her medical. The K-1 visa application was sent back to USCIS for review and now RE-approved. Now it will be on its way back to the Hong Kong consulate. My fiancee has moved to Macau (CHINA?). My question is will she need to get a new police certificate from HK, and the Philippines? Or when will the certificates expire? How long are the police certificates good for? Also will the HK police certificate cover Macau?

Question ; will the medical from July2,2010 be expired? How long is it good for?

I just want to be on top of the process this time and have everything lined up.thank you Aron

[Darnell 8,478]

police certificates usually are good for 1 year.

whilst macau is a 'part' of china, they have their own police section, is not tied to PRC mainland at all, for getting the police certificates and they not 'share' data with HKG police branch in the manner that yer hoping for.

The good news, is that if she lives in macau for less than 6 months (end date on interview day) then a PCC from macau is not required, at all.

So, check those issuance dates on the certificates , see if you think 1 year will transpire between the issuance date and any future interview date. Same issue for the medical exam, btw. It 'lasts' for 1 year.