Heads Up For People Applying to ACRO for Police Certificates

[Vicky and Larry 27]

I just wanted to be able to give back to the forum through my experiences in the hope that this information may be uselulf for some people in similar circumstances.

We filed all the paper work and supporting documentation for ACRO: proof of current address - typed letters with address and full name dated within the last 6 months, signed all the declaration parts and had someone endorse our pictures who fulfilled the criteria for that, photocopies of passport page and FULL birth certificates.

Okay, so we were applying for myself and my 16 year old son. He didn't have any proofs of address in his name as he is only 16 and hasn't really received any official letters as yet. I duplicated the proofs I provided for myself and included them in his application.

Once ACRO received our file they managed to loose ALL of the proofs of adresses (about 12 sheets of paper in total). Anyway, I spoke to one of the customer service representatives (who was very helpful and great at communicating exactly what they needed - she was fine with me resending the proofs of addresses by email for both myself andf my son as long as I added a covering letter stating that my son was living with me at my current address) this was due to the fact that he did not have any letter in his own name.

Secondly: ACRO sent us a form to print out for my son to sign - there was a discrepency with his signature in his passport and the one on his application. I explained that as he's only 16 he hasn't really been required to standardize a consistent signature. They are aware of this in younger people, which is why they send out the form for them to sign.

Although, there have been a few hitches I have to say that they made every effort to contact us in order to rectify the issues ASAP. They sent me two emails, two voicemails and a day after that I received a letter through the post. I am impressed with that part of the service.

So, if you are sending off for the certificates for teens be sure to get them to sign the forms as closely to their signature in their passport. And, duplicate prooofs of addresses and include a covering letter stating that they are living with you at the current address.

Hope this helps someone!

Edited December 31, 2011 by Vicky and Larry