Rejected Check / Police Clearance in Singapore

[zig2101 0]

Hi guys, this is a two part post.

1) After sending my I-130 application it was rejected and returned because they said my check was not "current" enough. The check was dated for February 6, 2012 and they received the petition on March 22, 2012 so I don't know what the big deal is. Did anyone else experience anything like this? My suspicion is that the check had the date and month swapped (06/02/12 instead of 02/06/12) and they thought the date was invalid. I didn't have a checkbook so I got one of my Singaporean friends with a US Bank Account to write a check for me but he wrote it the "Un-American" way. I don't know who to be angry at.. myself for not noticing this or the US for using MONTH/DATE/YEAR while the rest of the world uses DATE/MONTH/YEAR..

Also, they returned the whole package to me so I need to send back everything again, which is gonna cost a lot because our petition is pretty thick. Why couldn't they just return the check and keep the application there at the Chicago Lockbox? Wouldn't that have been cheaper and less hassle for the both of us? Sorry for the rant. I just need to vent...

2) I think we'll need to get police clearance for my wife for the interview, and we already got it from the Philippines. However, we've lived in Singapore for the past few years but according to them they won't give out police clearance to non-citizens. I emailed them and they said they'll only make an exception if we receive a letter stating that they don't accept a "Statutory of Declaration." For those of you who had to get a police clearance from Singapore (after they stopped giving them out to non-citizens) what was your experience like?

Thanks everyone

[Wally G! 58]

Hi guys, this is a two part post.

1) After sending my I-130 application it was rejected and returned because they said my check was not "current" enough. The check was dated for February 6, 2012 and they received the petition on March 22, 2012 so I don't know what the big deal is. Did anyone else experience anything like this? My suspicion is that the check had the date and month swapped (06/02/12 instead of 02/06/12) and they thought the date was invalid. I didn't have a checkbook so I got one of my Singaporean friends with a US Bank Account to write a check for me but he wrote it the "Un-American" way. I don't know who to be angry at.. myself for not noticing this or the US for using MONTH/DATE/YEAR while the rest of the world uses DATE/MONTH/YEAR..

Also, they returned the whole package to me so I need to send back everything again, which is gonna cost a lot because our petition is pretty thick. Why couldn't they just return the check and keep the application there at the Chicago Lockbox? Wouldn't that have been cheaper and less hassle for the both of us? Sorry for the rant. I just need to vent...

The anger should be directed at yourself for not triple checking all requirements and instructions as stated by USCIS for payment by check.

Please Note

Personal checks must be pre-printed with the name of the bank and the account holder. Also, the account holder’s address and phone number must be pre-printed, typed or written in ink on the check. All checks must be typed or written in ink.

:star: Write the date you are filling out the check including: day, month and year. :star:

On the "Pay to the Order of" line write: "U.S. Department of Homeland Security."

Write in numbers the exact dollar amount of the fee for the service you are requesting. In the example, the amount is "$595.00."

Spell out the exact dollar amount of the fee for the service you are requesting. The "cents" portion of the amount should be written as a fraction over 100. In this example, the amount is "Five hundred ninety-five and 00/100."

Write a brief description of the purpose of your payment. In this example, it is "N-400 application fee."

Sign the check using your legal signature.

USCIS Check Instructions

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3850a99ba78af110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Your friend did you a favor. It is not his responsibility to check your petition only to provided a check to pay for the application fee. Sorry to sound cold but that the truth.

2) I think we'll need to get police clearance for my wife for the interview, and we already got it from the Philippines. However, we've lived in Singapore for the past few years but according to them they won't give out police clearance to non-citizens. I emailed them and they said they'll only make an exception if we receive a letter stating that they don't accept a "Statutory of Declaration." For those of you who had to get a police clearance from Singapore (after they stopped giving them out to non-citizens) what was your experience like?

Thanks everyone

Certificate of Clearance

Available. The police records for Singapore may be considered complete from their origins to the present, except for the "occupation" period during World War II.

For all applicants, a form letter from the requesting/processing office (NVC, KCC, Embassy, employer etc.) is required to obtain a Certificate of Clearance (COC). Such letter should specify the need for the clearance and state explicitly that "a statutory declaration of no criminal conviction by the applicant is not acceptable as evidence that he/she does not have criminal convictions". The COC will be sent directly to the requesting/processing office.

Applicants residing in Singapore are to appear in person at the COC Office located at Blk D Police Cantonment Complex, #02-07/08, 391 New Bridge Road , Singapore 088762. The office is open from 8.30am to 12.30pm , Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Applicants residing overseas should submit their applications (original) addressed to: Head Criminal Records, CID ( COC ), Blk D Police Cantonment Complex, #02-07/08, 391 New Bridge Road , Singapore 088762.

Processing time for each application is about 10 working days.

Processing fee is S$45.00 per application. Payment can be made by cash, NETS , cash card, or credit cards (VISA/MASTERCARD) for walk-in application. Application sent by post (from overseas) must be accompanied by a bank draft made payable to 'Head Criminal Records CID ' through a Singapore-based bank. In addition to the processing fee, a postage fee of S$5.00 must be included in the payment (total S$50.00) if the COC is to be mailed. Payment is non- refundable once the application is accepted.

All applicants must complete the Certificate of Clearance application form available at http://www.spf.gov.sg/faqs/doc/coc_appform.pdf'>http://www.spf.gov.sg/faqs/doc/coc_appform.pdf in full and submit it with the necessary supporting documents:

A set of applicant's fingerprint impressions (ten prints). Applicants applying in person will be fingerprinted at the COC office at the time of application. For application by post from overseas, the applicant must submit a set of his/her fingerprint impressions taken by a qualified Fingerprint Officer at a Police Station or an authorized office of the country he/she is now residing.

A photocopy of applicant's valid passport (showing biodata page).

Two recent passport-sized photographs. Instant photo machine is available outside COC Office for applicants who appear in person (cost: S$7, approx. USD5.50, for 4 passport size photos).

Photocopy of document from relevant consulate/immigration authority/government bodies or other requestor to establish that the certificate is required by such authority and that a statutory declaration of no criminal conviction by the applicant is not acceptable as evidence that s/he has no criminal convictions. All documents are to be translated into English if written in other languages.

Please refer to http://www.spf.gov.sg/epc/cert_issued.htm'>http://www.spf.gov.sg/epc/cert_issued.htm or http://www.spf.gov for further information and updates on Certificate of Clearance from Singapore.

[Azteca143 9]

Hi guys, this is a two part post.

1) After sending my I-130 application it was rejected and returned because they said my check was not "current" enough. The check was dated for February 6, 2012 and they received the petition on March 22, 2012 so I don't know what the big deal is. Did anyone else experience anything like this? My suspicion is that the check had the date and month swapped (06/02/12 instead of 02/06/12) and they thought the date was invalid. I didn't have a checkbook so I got one of my Singaporean friends with a US Bank Account to write a check for me but he wrote it the "Un-American" way. I don't know who to be angry at.. myself for not noticing this or the US for using MONTH/DATE/YEAR while the rest of the world uses DATE/MONTH/YEAR..

Also, they returned the whole package to me so I need to send back everything again, which is gonna cost a lot because our petition is pretty thick. Why couldn't they just return the check and keep the application there at the Chicago Lockbox? Wouldn't that have been cheaper and less hassle for the both of us? Sorry for the rant. I just need to vent...

2) I think we'll need to get police clearance for my wife for the interview, and we already got it from the Philippines. However, we've lived in Singapore for the past few years but according to them they won't give out police clearance to non-citizens. I emailed them and they said they'll only make an exception if we receive a letter stating that they don't accept a "Statutory of Declaration." For those of you who had to get a police clearance from Singapore (after they stopped giving them out to non-citizens) what was your experience like?

Thanks everyone

Hello there!I worked in Singapore for 2yrs and 3months,and now leaving here in Philippines.

I send the required documents for PC or COC through Fedex with the Request letter from US

embassy.by the way,i went to US embassy Manila at window 38 to ask the request letter personally.i emailed them twice but no reply.right now i'm still waiting for my PC to be

mailed in US embassy.hopefully this week...

But in your case,i guess you had to wait until your petition is approved before you can go on

processing the PC or COC in Singapore,you had to have the Manila case number.they will put that on the request letter.i hope this will give you a bit of info..Goodluck! and God Bless!

[zig2101 0]

Hey Wally, I appreciate your reply but where in those instructions did it say the check needs to be no older than one month? If it says to write the date including the "day, month, and year" then we could even argue that we followed the instructions TOO closely by using the DD/MM/YY format instead of the American MM/DD/YY format. Anyway, your point is well-taken, and thanks for copying and pasting the answers for me.

The anger should be directed at yourself for not triple checking all requirements and instructions as stated by USCIS for payment by check.

Please Note

Personal checks must be pre-printed with the name of the bank and the account holder. Also, the account holder’s address and phone number must be pre-printed, typed or written in ink on the check. All checks must be typed or written in ink.

:star: Write the date you are filling out the check including: day, month and year. :star:

On the "Pay to the Order of" line write: "U.S. Department of Homeland Security."

Write in numbers the exact dollar amount of the fee for the service you are requesting. In the example, the amount is "$595.00."

Spell out the exact dollar amount of the fee for the service you are requesting. The "cents" portion of the amount should be written as a fraction over 100. In this example, the amount is "Five hundred ninety-five and 00/100."

Write a brief description of the purpose of your payment. In this example, it is "N-400 application fee."

Sign the check using your legal signature.

USCIS Check Instructions

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3850a99ba78af110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Your friend did you a favor. It is not his responsibility to check your petition only to provided a check to pay for the application fee. Sorry to sound cold but that the truth.

Certificate of Clearance

Available. The police records for Singapore may be considered complete from their origins to the present, except for the "occupation" period during World War II.

For all applicants, a form letter from the requesting/processing office (NVC, KCC, Embassy, employer etc.) is required to obtain a Certificate of Clearance (COC). Such letter should specify the need for the clearance and state explicitly that "a statutory declaration of no criminal conviction by the applicant is not acceptable as evidence that he/she does not have criminal convictions". The COC will be sent directly to the requesting/processing office.

Applicants residing in Singapore are to appear in person at the COC Office located at Blk D Police Cantonment Complex, #02-07/08, 391 New Bridge Road , Singapore 088762. The office is open from 8.30am to 12.30pm , Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Applicants residing overseas should submit their applications (original) addressed to: Head Criminal Records, CID ( COC ), Blk D Police Cantonment Complex, #02-07/08, 391 New Bridge Road , Singapore 088762.

Processing time for each application is about 10 working days.

Processing fee is S$45.00 per application. Payment can be made by cash, NETS , cash card, or credit cards (VISA/MASTERCARD) for walk-in application. Application sent by post (from overseas) must be accompanied by a bank draft made payable to 'Head Criminal Records CID ' through a Singapore-based bank. In addition to the processing fee, a postage fee of S$5.00 must be included in the payment (total S$50.00) if the COC is to be mailed. Payment is non- refundable once the application is accepted.

All applicants must complete the Certificate of Clearance application form available at http://www.spf.gov.sg/faqs/doc/coc_appform.pdf'>http://www.spf.gov.sg/faqs/doc/coc_appform.pdf in full and submit it with the necessary supporting documents:

A set of applicant's fingerprint impressions (ten prints). Applicants applying in person will be fingerprinted at the COC office at the time of application. For application by post from overseas, the applicant must submit a set of his/her fingerprint impressions taken by a qualified Fingerprint Officer at a Police Station or an authorized office of the country he/she is now residing.

A photocopy of applicant's valid passport (showing biodata page).

Two recent passport-sized photographs. Instant photo machine is available outside COC Office for applicants who appear in person (cost: S$7, approx. USD5.50, for 4 passport size photos).

Photocopy of document from relevant consulate/immigration authority/government bodies or other requestor to establish that the certificate is required by such authority and that a statutory declaration of no criminal conviction by the applicant is not acceptable as evidence that s/he has no criminal convictions. All documents are to be translated into English if written in other languages.

Please refer to http://www.spf.gov.sg/epc/cert_issued.htm'>http://www.spf.gov.sg/epc/cert_issued.htm or http://www.spf.gov for further information and updates on Certificate of Clearance from Singapore.

[zig2101 0]

Hi Azteca143, thank you so much for your clear, helpful reply. I'll wait till I get a case number before requesting the police clearance.

Hello there!I worked in Singapore for 2yrs and 3months,and now leaving here in Philippines.

I send the required documents for PC or COC through Fedex with the Request letter from US

embassy.by the way,i went to US embassy Manila at window 38 to ask the request letter personally.i emailed them twice but no reply.right now i'm still waiting for my PC to be

mailed in US embassy.hopefully this week...

But in your case,i guess you had to wait until your petition is approved before you can go on

processing the PC or COC in Singapore,you had to have the Manila case number.they will put that on the request letter.i hope this will give you a bit of info..Goodluck! and God Bless!

[nate and riyn 11]

i bother the same way about police clearance in Singapore... but check this link.. this really helps me a lot.. look at the comment #11 http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/355071-nbi-clearance-and-police-certificate-from-singapore/

i really hope i helped you for your problem about police clearance

[zig2101 0]

Update: Our interview has been scheduled and the NVC sent us an email with the status of all of our documents. The Singapore police certificate status is U (The applicant has informed the NVC that the required document is unavailable). Does this mean that we won't need it for the interview or do we still need it? The main requirement is that we still need a letter from the NVC or US Embassy specifically requesting the COC from the Singapore government and we still haven't been given that.

[zig2101 0]

We were able to get our police certificate. We just needed to make an appeal (you can get the form at the police station COC office) with a printout of the "p4 for neopost ds-1200" letter that the NVC sent to us confirming our interview date. We pointed out where it showed that our "Singapore Police Certificate" was unavailable. We also brought along the requirements needed by the NVC which states we need a police certificate from every country the applicant has lived in for over 6 months.

After the approval of the appeal, we had to go back to the Singapore police station again to officially file for police certificate and get fingerprints taken. The whole process took us nearly a month so I suggest getting started as soon as you get the interview date from the NVC.