Police Certificates?

[Quinn 2]

Hi everyone!

In an effort to be organized when the time finally comes, my fiance is starting the process of requesting his police certificates. He's a South African citizen. This is the situation in his words:

"I'm a South African, and i spent 16 months in the UK, but not continuously.

I was there from 12/12/2002 - to 03/12/2003 (note: less than 12 months), then I came back to South Africa to complete the remainder of my university degree (1 semester = 6 months).

I went back to the UK for exactly 5 months. Then I returned to SA where i've been ever since.

The UK it seems does not offer an "umbrella" police clearance for the entire UK. You get it from the police station in the area that you "lived". Now, I lived in Maidstone, Kent for 3 months, then in Harrogate, York for 1 month, then in Wimbledon, London for 1 month, then in Slough, Berkshire for 4 months. Then, on my 2nd trip i stayed in Reading, Berkshire for 5 months.

Slough and Reading fall under the same police station - Thames Valley police station. I can get a police clearance from them, and it will cover the two places i stayed at for the longest times.

Yet, i never stayed in the UK for more than 12 months continuously. Do I need a police clearance at all? And if i DO need police clearance - do i need it from every town i stayed in, even my short stays of a month each in Harrogate and Wimbledon? Bear in mind it costs ten UK pounds for each!"

I just want to double check if we need the police certificates because i don't want to wait any longer than i have to!

Also, sorry if this in the wrong forum, feel free to move it to the correct place in you need to.

Edited June 4, 2007 by Quinn

[YuAndDan 153]

Yes it is a blanket certificate for UK, through Scotland Yard.

POLICE RECORD

Available. Immigrant visa applicants who have resided in the United Kingdom for six months or more since the age of sixteen are required to obtain a statement from the National Identification Service, Subject Access Office, Room 331, New Scotland Yard, Broadway, London SW1 OBG.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/C...ted_Kingdom.htm

[Quinn 2]

Hmm...well, he had a 2 year working holiday visa. He doesn't think he actually "resided" there, so that's more the question...does he need a police certificate from the UK for this situation?

[payxibka 10,047]

Hmm...well, he had a 2 year working holiday visa. He doesn't think he actually "resided" there, so that's more the question...does he need a police certificate from the UK for this situation?

Other consulates have aggregated multiple stays together to determine total time in country for police certificate requirement.

In his view, what determines "resided"? In some jurisdictions, the residence requirement can be satisfied with as little as 30 days continuous stay. I would get a PC if it were me.