Old police caution

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Charlie--

Read again what I posted. If that's not clear enough, then you aren't thinking.

**IF** his police certificate comes back "no live trace" it is hidden (not live) on his police record. The US wants it declared on all forms that say "have you ever been convicted etc...." And he should additionally order a Subject Access Report from ACPO which will detail the charge.

It should not affect the visa if it was minor.

What is it you don't understand?

D&B and JD-- your consulates (in timeline) are Armenia and Frankfort. This is the UK forum, so I can't help you with other places.

[CharlieTanger 76]

Charlie--

Read again what I posted. If that's not clear enough, then you aren't thinking.

**IF** his police certificate comes back "no live trace" it is hidden (not live) on his police record. The US wants it declared on all forms that say "have you ever been convicted etc...." And he should additionally order a Subject Access Report from ACPO which will detail the charge.

It should not affect the visa if it was minor.

What is it you don't understand?

D&B and JD-- your consulates (in timeline) are Armenia and Frankfort. This is the UK forum, so I can't help you with other places.

Ok, so just to be safe... he'll get both Police Certificate and the SAR. I guess the more evidence, the better.

And by all forms... what forms do you mean?

Is it the interviewer at the time of the interview who may ask to see/question these documents?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Forms-Your DS-160, I-485, N-400 come to mind off the top of my head.

IF your police certificate has "no trace" then you have no convictions. Nothing to admit to, right? Get it and see well in advance of the NOA2. It is good for 1 year. IF it says "no live trace" order a SAR because there is a hidden record. More evidence the better is faulty logic in this case. They don't need a SAR if you have a clear police certificate and don't make up a charge never actually on any records.

Edited February 20, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Something else in addition to what I just posted. This is what happened in January and will illustrate going to an interview with a "no live trace" police certificate. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/533460-refused/

One of so many I have read.

[CharlieTanger 76]

Forms-Your DS-160, I-485, N-400 come to mind off the top of my head.

IF your police certificate has "no trace" then you have no convictions. Nothing to admit to, right? Get it and see well in advance of the NOA2. It is good for 1 year. IF it says "no live trace" order a SAR because there is a hidden record. More evidence the better is faulty logic in this case. They don't need a SAR if you have a clear police certificate and don't make up a charge never actually on any records.

Ok thanks, Nich for the clear response!

I thought at the interview they wanted a Police Certificate that is less than 6 months old? Not sure where I heard that from...or I may be making it up! LOL

Well if we order the Police Certificate now there really is nothing to lose, so that's good.

Can you order a SAR before a Police Certificate?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I thought at the interview they wanted a Police Certificate that is less than 6 months old? Not sure where I heard that from...or I may be making it up! LOL

You haven't read the embassy website K1 instructions in detail, including all the topics in the left hand pane. It's a good source for research.

Can you order a SAR before a Police Certificate?

Why? Edited February 20, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[JCV 5]

Charlie--

Read again what I posted. If that's not clear enough, then you aren't thinking.

**IF** his police certificate comes back "no live trace" it is hidden (not live) on his police record. The US wants it declared on all forms that say "have you ever been convicted etc...." And he should additionally order a Subject Access Report from ACPO which will detail the charge.

It should not affect the visa if it was minor.

What is it you don't understand?

D&B and JD-- your consulates (in timeline) are Armenia and Frankfort. This is the UK forum, so I can't help you with other places.

we are in london too, i don't know why it says Armemina!!! i will change that lol, thanks for noticing

[Soup Dragon 104]

Charlie--

Read again what I posted. If that's not clear enough, then you aren't thinking.

**IF** his police certificate comes back "no live trace" it is hidden (not live) on his police record. The US wants it declared on all forms that say "have you ever been convicted etc...." And he should additionally order a Subject Access Report from ACPO which will detail the charge.

It should not affect the visa if it was minor.

What is it you don't understand?

D&B and JD-- your consulates (in timeline) are Armenia and Frankfort. This is the UK forum, so I can't help you with other places.

Aware that this is the UK forum but was merely trying to answer the OP question when first posted about British police certificates and by offering the link to the ACRO website. Athough I live in Germany and DCF through Frankfurt I am British and had to go through the same process of obtaining a UK police cert. Just trying to help the OP

[CharlieTanger 76]

You haven't read the embassy website K1 instructions in detail, including all the topics in the left hand pane. It's a good source for research.

According to the UK site, it actually does. Now I'm not sure if the US Embassy really cares though...

How long is my Police Certificate valid for?

There is no set period of time for which the Police Certificate is considered to be valid. The Police Certificate is only truly accurate on the date of issue. Embassies or High Commissions will usually require you to produce a Police Certificate which has been issued less than six (6) months before your visa interview.

http://www.acro.police.uk/Police_Certificates_FAQs.aspx#How_long_is_my_Police_Certificate_valid_for?

[Pheebs1201 269]

According to the UK site, it actually does. Now I'm not sure if the US Embassy really cares though...

How long is my Police Certificate valid for?

There is no set period of time for which the Police Certificate is considered to be valid. The Police Certificate is only truly accurate on the date of issue. Embassies or High Commissions will usually require you to produce a Police Certificate which has been issued less than six (6) months before your visa interview.

http://www.acro.police.uk/Police_Certificates_FAQs.aspx#How_long_is_my_Police_Certificate_valid_for?

Many embassies only accept police certificates from the previous six months. However, London accepts them for twelve months.

The following is taken from the London US Embassy website, in the section regarding what to bring to an immigrant visa interview:

Police Certificates: Required for all countries where you have lived for more than 12 months since the age of 16 and any country where you have been arrested, even if you were not resident there. U.S. police certificates are not required.

Note: UK police certificates are valid for 12 months only. All other foreign police certificates are valid indefinitely, unless you have returned to reside in that country or has been arrested since the issuance of the certificate. Failure to present all necessary and valid police certificates at the time of the interview will incur significant delays to your application.

http://london.usembassy.gov/iv/application_documents.html

Edited February 20, 2015 by Pheebs1201

[CharlieTanger 76]

Many embassies only accept police certificates from the previous six months. However, London accepts them for twelve months.

The following is taken from the London US Embassy website, in the section regarding what to bring to an immigrant visa interview:

Police Certificates: Required for all countries where you have lived for more than 12 months since the age of 16 and any country where you have been arrested, even if you were not resident there. U.S. police certificates are not required.

Note: UK police certificates are valid for 12 months only. All other foreign police certificates are valid indefinitely, unless you have returned to reside in that country or has been arrested since the issuance of the certificate. Failure to present all necessary and valid police certificates at the time of the interview will incur significant delays to your application.

http://london.usembassy.gov/iv/application_documents.html

Great, thanks for the detailed info!

[CharlieTanger 76]

Ok, so to finalize the whole topic and make it ultra clear (sorry I'm a worrier haha).

Since my fiancé had only 1 police caution at age 15 because of stealing a hairbrush (stupid child haha) and absolutely no other convictions on his record, he will still need to answer "YES" to the question: "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even through subject of a pardon, amnesty, or other similar action?"

Is this correct or can "NO" be answered and then explained at the interview...I don't think the DS-160 gives you an area to explain the crime, does it? If he has to answer "YES" then I would hope there are grounds to explain this extremely small crime at such a young age.

If we have to answer "YES" will this affect chance for an interview?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Aware that this is the UK forum but was merely trying to answer the OP question when first posted about British police certificates and by offering the link to the ACRO website. Athough I live in Germany and DCF through Frankfurt I am British and had to go through the same process of obtaining a UK police cert. Just trying to help the OP

Apologies. You're right. I just read through and there were a number of questions and three people, but only one interviewing in London. I meant I wasn't able to offer much experience about a different consulate so I wasn't ignoring, I just didn't know. Looking back, there wasn't really a question from you.

[JCV 5]

Apologies. You're right. I just read through and there were a number of questions and three people, but only one interviewing in London. I meant I wasn't able to offer much experience about a different consulate so I wasn't ignoring, I just didn't know. Looking back, there wasn't really a question from you.

i am also interviewing in london.. i have one final question! at which stage does it ask about criminal cautions? as it isn't during the i130 form or the g325a, is it int he next stage? which form?

[CharlieTanger 76]

i am also interviewing in london.. i have one final question! at which stage does it ask about criminal cautions? as it isn't during the i130 form or the g325a, is it int he next stage? which form?

The DS-160, I believe.