Updated Australia Police Certification info - May 2014

[razspaz13 30]

yep mee

we decided to get the fingerprint one done just in case, don't wait further delays if can be avoided.......

how long did it take the consulate to answer your email? mine seem to be 3-4 days

[meehan 43]

On that occasion they got back to me after 4 business days. I emailed them again on Tuesday this week to confirm receipt of our PCC (which I requested be sent directly to the consulate - police were happy to send it to us) but haven't heard anything yet.

[aruadha 58]

My fiance emailed Sydney as well with the same type of question: basic name check or fingerprint one? they replied, pretty timely actually, that they accept either one. So based on that as well as others on here who have just used the name check, that's what he will go with in order to save some money.

[sweetswinks 400]

My fiance emailed Sydney as well with the same type of question: basic name check or fingerprint one? they replied, pretty timely actually, that they accept either one. So based on that as well as others on here who have just used the name check, that's what he will go with in order to save some money.

Ditto! I emailed them last week and got the reply Name check is sufficient unless another alias has been used previously, then the CO will need a fingerprint check. Bonus is saves money and time!

[Sukie 1,459]

Good luck to those of you who have gotten a name check instead of a fingerprint check.

As I know, oh, too well, the folks at NVC follow a manual that is outdated - and they will not budge for love nor money. Too bad the Sydney Consulate doesn't seem to communicate with NVC about what actually is required. My partner has had three names - maiden, first marriage, second marriage - so I'm guessing the Consulate would have told us to get a fingerprint check, anyway.

I've written the Consulate about my attending the interview with my spouse. This is the 3rd business day - and no answer yet.

Sukie in Oz

[meehan 43]

After posting that I received a response in 4 days, I emailed them last Tuesday and only got a reply today... Hang in there Sukie!

[TheBigO 18]

Email Sydney last week. Reply today.

TOTALLY CONFUSED

Embassy website says get a WA Police Clearance Certificate.

Sydney email response says get an Australian Federal Police Clearance. They also say to refer to the embassy website for information, which states to get a WA Police Clearance. ???????

DoS website says WA Police Clearance Certificate.

This forum has a variety of everything!

No mention of requirement for finger prints anywhere, but Sukies checklist would suggest otherwise.

Sukie's checklist information was very interesting.

Who has recently gotten a case complete? Please describe your certificate process and experience.

[TheCaptain 67]

This is directly from the US Embassy website in Canberra for immigrant visa's.

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/iv_faqs.html#police

What type of Australian police check is required?

Depending on which Australian state or territory in which you reside will depend on how to apply for the Australian police certificate.

You only need to apply for 1 Australian police certificate and it can be based on a name or fingerprint check.

A police check based on name check only must contain all aliases previously and presently used. Failure to provide a name check certificate with all aliases may result in the consular officer refusing your application for a police certificate based on a fingerprint check.

I submitted my application with only a name check which was far cheaper than the fingerprint check and my case was approved. (K1)

[TheBigO 18]

Good luck to those of you who have gotten a name check instead of a fingerprint check.

As I know, oh, too well, the folks at NVC follow a manual that is outdated - and they will not budge for love nor money. Too bad the Sydney Consulate doesn't seem to communicate with NVC about what actually is required. My partner has had three names - maiden, first marriage, second marriage - so I'm guessing the Consulate would have told us to get a fingerprint check, anyway.

I've written the Consulate about my attending the interview with my spouse. This is the 3rd business day - and no answer yet.

Sukie in Oz

Hi Sukie.

I have followed your advice and am booked to get an Australian Federal Police check.

[Olives24 9]

ok so we did our police check at our local station here in Queensland. The address I added on the form was ours. Was I supposed to add in the embassy address? How will it be directly sent to them?

This part confuses me....

Any thoughts?

[Sukie 1,459]

ok so we did our police check at our local station here in Queensland. The address I added on the form was ours. Was I supposed to add in the embassy address? How will it be directly sent to them?

This part confuses me....

Any thoughts?

Olives24, you were supposed to put the Sydney Consulate's address on the form. If you get the results directly (and you might not), then be sure to send the results to NVC, who are really clueless about the whole process anyway.

But if you have not received the police report in 4 weeks, you need to call the Queensland Police to see where it is in process.

Sukie

[Olives24 9]

Olives24, you were supposed to put the Sydney Consulate's address on the form. If you get the results directly (and you might not), then be sure to send the results to NVC, who are really clueless about the whole process anyway.

But if you have not received the police report in 4 weeks, you need to call the Queensland Police to see where it is in process.

Sukie

Might give them a call in a few days to sort out a copy sent to me and the Sydney Consulate if that's possible.

[sweetswinks 400]

Might give them a call in a few days to sort out a copy sent to me and the Sydney Consulate if that's possible.

You can't get 2 copies unless you pay for 2 copies. You might be able to purchase a second one later for yourself. For my K1 visa interview last month they were totally fine with me bringing my PC rather than sending it direct to the consulate. Just a thought

[Olives24 9]

You can't get 2 copies unless you pay for 2 copies. You might be able to purchase a second one later for yourself. For my K1 visa interview last month they were totally fine with me bringing my PC rather than sending it direct to the consulate. Just a thought

Ok good to know! Then I'll just bring it along.

[TheBigO 18]

I thought I would pass on this info, because there have been quite a few changes over the last few years. I received a checklist on May 7, 2014, with the following instructions. There is info specific to each State, as well as if you are applying from overseas.

Please note: If you are applying from NSW or QLD, your PCC will be sent DIRECTLY to the US Consulate in Sydney (for immigrant visas). NVC knows this.

Sukie

______CORRESPONDENCE INSTRUCTIONS:_________________________________

When responding to the National Visa Center, please include the bar code sheet that came with this

letter. Failure to include the bar code sheet may cause a delay in the processing of your case. The bar

code sheet should be placed on top of all documents being submitted for this case and mailed to the

address provided.

______AUSTRALIA POLICE CERT AVAILABLE TO APPLICANT:________________

Police certificates are required for each visa applicant aged 16 years and older. Applicants are required to

apply for a Police certificate ensuring that the certificate addresses all known names and/or aliases.

If you reside outside Australia

For information on how and where to apply, please refer to http://www.afp.gov.au/.

If you reside in Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Includes nationwide fingerprint check.

Procedures to be followed for visa applicants both inside and outside the country who wish to obtain

clearances:

.. Inside: The applicant may write or apply in person to have his/her fingerprints taken at the City

Police Station, London Circuit. Canberra, Act 2601. Telephone no. (02) 6256-7777.

.. Outside: Applicant must write the station with a formal request using the forms on the AFP website

www.afp.gov.au. Applicants must go to a local police station in their country of residence, acquire a

certified fingerprint form, and send this with an official request to the City Police Station.

For additional information on how and where to apply, please refer to http://www.afp.gov.au/.

If you reside in Northern Territory

Available. Includes nationwide fingerprint check. Cost: $60.00 for certificate with fingerprints.

Procedures to be followed for visa applicants both inside and outside the country who wish to obtain

clearances:

.. Inside: Applicant must complete an "Authority to Release Criminal History" form, which is available

by calling 08-8922-3344. The police station may fax it to them once they have received the request.

The applicant would then go to a local police station, acquire certified fingerprints, and send the

forms to:

The Office in Charge

Information Bureau

Berrimah Police Complex

P.O. Box 39764

Winnellie, NT 0821

.. Outside: Applicant may call the police station, request the aforementioned form, and submit it via

mail.

For additional information on how and where to apply, please refer to http://pfes.nt.gov.au/

If you reside in South Australia

Available. Includes nationwide fingerprint check. Cost: $86.00 certificate with fingerprints. Procedures

to be followed for visa applicants both inside and outside the country who wish to obtain clearances.

.. Inside: Applicants must obtain a "PD47" form, or an "Application of Personal Information" form

from any police station in South Australia. The form will need to be completed in the presence of a

police member who is required to witness the signature and see appropriate identification. Only a

personal application can be made unless the applicant is in another state or country. They must

contact the Records Release Unit at 08-8204-2455.

.. Outside: If living abroad or in another state, the applicant must call for the form to be sent to them

via fax or mail. They must go to a police station in their locale of residence, have the form certified

by a magistrate or notary public, and send the form and identification to the:

Records Release Unit

Adelaide Police Station

1 Angas Street

Adelaide 5000

If you reside in Tasmania

Available. Includes nationwide fingerprint check. Cost: $38.50 for certificate with fingerprints.

Procedures to be followed for visa applicants both inside and outside the country who wish to obtain

clearances:

.. Inside: Applicant may apply in person to have fingerprints taken at any police station within the

state. Applicants must complete a "police clearance application" form at the time of application.

.. Outside: Unlike other states, no form of consent or application is needed when an applicant is

outside Tasmania. All they need is to obtain fingerprints from their country of residence, with a letter

explaining the need for the form, as well as the necessary fee. Application should be sent to:

Commissioner of Police

G.P.O. Box 308c

Hobart, TAS 7001

Tel: 03-6230-2348

For additional information on how and where to apply, please refer to

http://police.tas.gov.au/services-online/police-history-record-checks/

If you reside in Victoria

Available. Includes nationwide fingerprint check. Cost: $106.10 for certificate with fingerprints.

Procedures to be followed for visa applicants both inside and outside the country who wish to obtain

clearances:

.. Inside: Applicant must be at least 17 years of age for certificates to be issued. Residents of Victoria

should phone their nearest police station to arrange appointments for fingerprints. Applicants need a

"Consent to Check and Release Criminal Record" form, which may be obtained by calling

Information Services at 1300 881 596. This form, a copy of identification, fingerprints and check or

money order may then be sent to:

Manager

Information Resources Section

Central Records Branch

Victoria Police Center

P.O. Box 418

Melbourne 8005

.. Outside: Applicant must write the station with a formal request, attain the required aforementioned

form, and send a certified copy of his/her fingerprints, identification, and fees to the

above-mentioned address.

For additional information on how and where to apply, please refer to

http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274

If you reside in Western Australia

Certificates are available, but only through the Australian Federal Police (AFP), at the cost of $103.00.

Procedures to be followed for visa applicants both inside and outside the country who wish to obtain

clearances:

.. Inside: Applicant can provide their own fingerprints which is usually completed by the Western

Australia (WA) Police Service (a courtesy type role that WA police provide, however, it is not

specifically their task). If this is the preferred option, the applicant is provided the appropriate

paperwork and contact details for the AFP Canberra office for which the applicant will be required to

send the information, fingerprints and fee.

.. Inside (Alternative): an applicant can have fingerprints taken at the AFP office in Perth for which the

fee is paid and the AFP Perth office facilitates the full process of sending the information,

fingerprints etc to the AFP office in Canberra. To be fingerprinted, an appointment must be

scheduled in advance. The required form may be acquired by calling 02-6256-7777 or through the

AFP's website (http://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/police-checks/national-poklice-checks.aspx).

.. Outside: Same as above. The only difference is that the applicant must go to a police station in their

country of residence in order to get a fingerprint record. They must send all the aforementioned items

as well as a copy of their passport as proof of identification to AFP Canberra.

For information on how and where to apply, please refer to

http://www.police.wa.gov.au/Aboutus/News/NationalPoliceCertificates/tabid/1927/Default.aspx

______AUSTRALIA POLICE CERT NSW/QUEENSLAND:________________________

Police Certificates are required for each visa applicant aged 16 years and older. Applicants are required

to apply for a Police certificate ensuring that the certificate addresses all known names and/or aliases.

If you reside in New South Wales

Include nationwide fingerprint check. Cost: $170.00 for certificate with fingerprints.

Procedures to be followed for visa applicants both inside and outside the country who wish to obtain

clearances:

.. Inside: Applicant must reside in New South Wales and apply in person at the police station nearest

their place of residence. Applicant must complete New South Wales Police Form P397A that can

ONLY be obtained from their local police station.

.. Outside: NSW applicants residing outside of Australia must apply for their Australian police

certificate through the Australian Federal Police in the ACT. Applicants should visit AFP's direct site

(http://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/police-checks/national-police-checks.aspx) to download the

instructions and forms for a Criminal History Check. Applicant is required to submit a set of

fingerprints. The fee is AUS $103.00 to apply for a Fingerprint and Name Application. Please follow

AFP's instructions carefully and supply all documents that AFP requires.

The general information telephone number to Criminal Records Section is (02) 8835-7722 and the fax

number is (02) 8835-7193.

For additional information on how and where to apply, please refer to http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/

If you reside in Queensland

Includes nationwide fingerprint check. Cost: $131.80 for certificate with fingerprints.

Procedures to be followed for visa applicants both inside and outside the country who wish to obtain

clearances:

.. Inside: Applicant must write or apply in person for a "QP349b" form, which is the "Application for

Police Certificate" and "QP349" form, if applicable, which is the "Copy of Own Criminal History,"

which costs an additional $36.50. This can be obtained by writing or calling the:

Visa Section

Queensland Police Service

GPO Box 1440

QLD 4001

Tel: 07-3364-6854

They must complete the form, attach fingerprints, a copy of identification and the required fee.

.. Outside: Same as above. Applicant must call the police station, request a faxed copy of the required

forms, and obtain fingerprints from the local police station in their country of residence. All forms

may then be mailed to the police station for processing.

For additional information on how and where to apply, please refer to

http://police.qld.gov.au/services/purchase/polcert.htm

If you are applying through the New South Wales or Queensland police, your police record will be

sent directly to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney. The Criminal Records Section of their offices will notify

you that this has been done. If you do not receive this notification within 4 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.

[999 05/05/2014] SYDXXXXXXXXXX

Hi Sukie. This information has been really helpful! Thank you!

Question: did you submit the original to NVC or just a photocopy? The NVC website says to just submit a photocopy. If you only sent a photocopy, have you received any checklist asking for the original?

The rep on the phone last night told me that only the original is required. Again, lots of different information floating around.

Cheers.

The Big O