U.S Police Certificate (Criminal Record) regards to K-1 visa

[wel1114 26]

Hello guys, 

 

I have a question regards to the police certificate. Our case situation is that I was on a student visa when I was in the U.S. I lived in the U.S for 2.5 years and that's how I met my fiance. But now I am back to Taiwan, my original country, since my student visa was expired and we are waiting on our K-1 NOA2. I know that you have to apply for the police certificate of your original country, and I've already obtained it. However, my question is do I have to obtain one from the U.S since I lived there for 2.5 years. If anyone knows the answer to this question, I would appreciate it very much! 

[TNJ17 1,329]

No, USCIS does a background check on you. You need it from every other country you’ve ever lived in for whatever reason for 6 months or more since the age of 16 no matter what your resident status was. 

[wel1114 26]

Thank you for your help!!! 

[stevo215 1]

On 12/6/2017 at 4:27 PM, TNJ17 said:

No, USCIS does a background check on you. You need it from every other country you’ve ever lived in for whatever reason for 6 months or more since the age of 16 no matter what your resident status was. 

Do you have any written guidance on this? I'm in the same boat with Wel1114. Was that requested from the Embassy/Consulate once they receive the package?

[TNJ17 1,329]

6 hours ago, stevo215 said:

Do you have any written guidance on this? I'm in the same boat with Wel1114. Was that requested from the Embassy/Consulate once they receive the package?

Dude, it’s on the list of requirements from USCIS. 

[LorRie 37]

I was in the same situation (studied in the US, met fiance, headed back home, applied for K1, everything went smoothly and I am now in the US and happily married) so I know the answer to this one
You don't need the police certificate from the US because they can look up this information. You will need the police certificate from other countries though. I don't fully remember if I went to my country's police station to get the report BEFORE or AFTER getting the packet from the US embassy/consulate, as your local police station will ask you why you are requesting the report. I don't remember if they went off on what I verbally told them or if I had to bring a letter as proof that I applied for the K1. It varies by country what the rules are, so you may need a letter (eg: NOA 2, etc..) as proof that you are asking for the report for the K1 visa (or whichever US visa you are applying for). Also, note that sometimes even if you get the report/documentation too early, it might make it invalid by the time you actually need to use it.. I remember going through the K1 process some documents were not valid after 30 days and I had to go back and get a new one with a new time stamp. Just don't go too early but you don't have to leave everything to do last minute before the interview either. 

Good luck on your journey!

 

[wel1114 26]

Thank you guys for all the helpful information!!