Expired Police Certificate

[CanadatoNYC 0]

My Canadian fiancée got her K-1 packet approved in February 2010. After waiting and waiting for an interview, we had to reschedule the first two due to last minute emergencies, we finally were able to get a time that worked, this following Monday, October 25th at the Montreal consulate. We have all of our documents in order except we now realize that the FBI police certificate we received (she used to work in the states) was issued in June 2009, so is now 4 months past a year since it was issued. There doesnt seem to be any way to expedite a new certificate so it appears we just need to go to the interview and hope that it wont be a problem.

We assume it will be an issue and her application may be put on hold, which would be a huge pain as I am sure all you fellow K-1 suffers well know. Does anyone know from past experience if they check the police cert or the extent to which it needs to be issued within a year of the interview?

We are desperate for information on what we might do or how we should approach this. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[baron555 934]

My Canadian fiancée got her K-1 packet approved in February 2010. After waiting and waiting for an interview, we had to reschedule the first two due to last minute emergencies, we finally were able to get a time that worked, this following Monday, October 25th at the Montreal consulate. We have all of our documents in order except we now realize that the FBI police certificate we received (she used to work in the states) was issued in June 2009, so is now 4 months past a year since it was issued. There doesnt seem to be any way to expedite a new certificate so it appears we just need to go to the interview and hope that it wont be a problem.

We assume it will be an issue and her application may be put on hold, which would be a huge pain as I am sure all you fellow K-1 suffers well know. Does anyone know from past experience if they check the police cert or the extent to which it needs to be issued within a year of the interview?

We are desperate for information on what we might do or how we should approach this. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Apply for the new one, go to the interview with the old one, they will do the interview and issue a 221g form and not issue the visa until you provide the updated one.

[philandjulie 0]

I think you will be okay, but I am not a lawyer so take this as amateur advice:)

The department of state website explains that you do not need police certificates from the USA. The travel.state.gov website states, "Note: Present and former residents of the United States need NOT obtain any U.S. police certificates." You can see for yourself by going toMy link. The reason for this is because you are already checked out by the FBI when you filed your I-129f to USCIS. Also when you go to your interview they will finger print you and search your background through the US databases on site.

I was a student for a year but my lawyer pointed out that I did not need US police certificates because I resided there. You only need police certificates from other countries you have lived in for more then 6 months. So you need an RCMP certificate from Canada, which takes 5 minutes by going to the local RCMP.

Unless you have a specific criminal background or have been advised to get FBI background checks I think you should be okay.

Sorry here is the link - from my last post http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html#police

[philandjulie 0]

My Canadian fiancée got her K-1 packet approved in February 2010. After waiting and waiting for an interview, we had to reschedule the first two due to last minute emergencies, we finally were able to get a time that worked, this following Monday, October 25th at the Montreal consulate. We have all of our documents in order except we now realize that the FBI police certificate we received (she used to work in the states) was issued in June 2009, so is now 4 months past a year since it was issued. There doesnt seem to be any way to expedite a new certificate so it appears we just need to go to the interview and hope that it wont be a problem.

We assume it will be an issue and her application may be put on hold, which would be a huge pain as I am sure all you fellow K-1 suffers well know. Does anyone know from past experience if they check the police cert or the extent to which it needs to be issued within a year of the interview?

We are desperate for information on what we might do or how we should approach this. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thought I'd copy my response as a reply so that you get this via e-mail.

I think you will be okay, but I am not a lawyer so take this as amateur advice:)

The department of state website explains that you do not need police certificates from the USA. The travel.state.gov website states, "Note: Present and former residents of the United States need NOT obtain any U.S. police certificates." You can see for yourself by going toMy link. The reason for this is because you are already checked out by the FBI when you filed your I-129f to USCIS. Also when you go to your interview they will finger print you and search your background through the US databases on site.

I was a student for a year but my lawyer pointed out that I did not need US police certificates because I resided there. You only need police certificates from other countries you have lived in for more then 6 months. So you need an RCMP certificate from Canada, which takes 5 minutes by going to the local RCMP.

Unless you have a specific criminal background or have been advised to get FBI background checks I think you should be okay.

Sorry here is the link - from my last post http://travel.state....195.html#police

[CanadatoNYC 0]

Great thanks so much guys! We're hoping for the best / miracle.

Thought I'd copy my response as a reply so that you get this via e-mail.

I think you will be okay, but I am not a lawyer so take this as amateur advice:)

The department of state website explains that you do not need police certificates from the USA. The travel.state.gov website states, "Note: Present and former residents of the United States need NOT obtain any U.S. police certificates." You can see for yourself by going toMy link. The reason for this is because you are already checked out by the FBI when you filed your I-129f to USCIS. Also when you go to your interview they will finger print you and search your background through the US databases on site.

I was a student for a year but my lawyer pointed out that I did not need US police certificates because I resided there. You only need police certificates from other countries you have lived in for more then 6 months. So you need an RCMP certificate from Canada, which takes 5 minutes by going to the local RCMP.

Unless you have a specific criminal background or have been advised to get FBI background checks I think you should be okay.

Sorry here is the link - from my last post http://travel.state....195.html#police

[CanadatoNYC 0]

Just an update on what happened - we got approved!!!

We passed them the police certificate and they did not mention the fact that it was 4 months over. On the other hand, they did note how the medical examination would be expiring in a few months and to make sure that we got married before that. I assume the expired medical would in fact be a major problem.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. This site was very helpful!!

[Blob18 111]

Just an update on what happened - we got approved!!!

We passed them the police certificate and they did not mention the fact that it was 4 months over. On the other hand, they did note how the medical examination would be expiring in a few months and to make sure that we got married before that. I assume the expired medical would in fact be a major problem.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. This site was very helpful!!

Congrats!!!

I know several embassies will accept the police certificate if it is expired. It should say on their website the timeframe in which they will accept a certificate (usually a year old or less) or if you email them and ask they would tell (not that it matters now for you ). I know Rio will let you present a police certificate up to 1 year old even though they expire within 4-6 months.

[payxibka 10,045]

Moving thread to:

US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

This is the place to post your experiences or questions related to this last step before moving to the US. Topics relating to I-134's, packets sent from consulate and medical & police certificates should be posted here.