Name on police cerificate

[JFH 12,190]

I'm just looking at my police certificates and I'm wondering if this will be a problem.

I lived in Germany until I was 25. I then moved to the UK and have been here ever since (I have worked in other countries but never spent more than a year outside the UK since I arrived at 25).

In 2005 my then-husband (now ex-husband) and I applied to become foster parents in the UK. For this we needed police certificates. The UK one I received then is not valid for the CR-1 process so I have applied for an up-to-date one. In 2005 I applied for a German police certificate which I received and have kept ever since. As I have not lived in Germany since the certificate was issued, am I right in thinking this certificate is valid for this process?

The name on the German certificate is my previous married name as that was my name when I applied for it (although I was not known by that name when I lived in Germany as I got married to my first husband after I moved to the UK). It also lists my maiden name (which was my name in Germany and therefore the name that was searched). Because it is so old, it doesn't mention my current name. Also the address on it is a previous address where I lived with my first husband. I have the paper trail that shows the journey from my birth name to my current name (birth certificate and first marriage certificate, divorce decree and second marriage certificate). Will that be enough or should I just get another German certificate which mentions my current name and address?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

From the London website:

"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"

Presumably you also have the marriage certificate and divorce decree linking you the previous married name. And you have listed that prior name anywhere "other names used" has been asked for on forms. If so, I think they will make the connection you are the same person. And you will be there with a live person at your interview to explain it.

The NVC is a whole different game. Sometimes I wonder if they can think.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[JFH 12,190]

That's my worry. I have no problem standing in front of someone in London and saying "here is my birth certificate, here is my first marriage certificate, here is the divorce decree from that marriage and here's my Washington state marriag certificate". But I imagine NVC is quite robotic and sees an application from JH but the police certificate says JD (birth name JM) and it'll be a case of "computer says no".

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

and it'll be a case of "computer says no".

Hahaha....I know that skit. You made me laugh.

I have never dealt with NVC, but on all my many immigration submissions of evidence, I tend to try to connect the dots for them with notes. And I don't mean write it in a cover letter (which I think gets thrown out by the mail room).

Since everything is a photocopy, I tend to write in the bottom margin in red Sharpie what I am showing as well as highlight names and dates on the evidence. I don't leave much for them to figure out.

Proof of meeting in person (K1). Two BestBuy receipts photocopied. Date and customer name highlighted on each. Note in red "receipts showing Nich and Nick each made purchases in the same store, on the same date, two minutes apart." And pretty much similar for everything else.

For removing conditions I placed a statement right after the application form where evidence began. It outline the USCIS suggested evidence we would NOT be including and briefly explained why not due to our circumstances. I wanted them to know not to ask for such in an RFE.

Joint mortgage- I own my home and have no mortgage. I am not paying a lawyer to add my new husband's name to the deed.

Joint health insurance- I receive health insurance as the surviving spouse from my deceased husband's company. I can not add a beneficiary because I am a beneficiary.

Joint utility bills- I was widowed and it took me two years to get my name on all the utilities, tax rolls, etc. I am not changing that again.

Birth certificates of children born to the marriage- We are senior citizens. That won't be happening.

So maybe you can prepare something short and succinct and staple it to the German police certificate

Validity of my German Police Certificate

Blah, blah, blah.

Signature

Don't make it too long or they may have to think.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[teddy k 35]

Hi you should be fine since you can walk them through your life's journey good luck have faith in yourself and you will be good on the rest of your adventure through NVC