Job Discussion Forums

paddyflynn · Joined: 13 Dec 2012 Posts: 26

I need to do a criminal check from the US to get a teaching visa. My employer says the government will accept a report from any state or local police department in the US.

It has to be "an original" which means it has to come through the mail and not be an electronic copy.

I'd like one that could be done with just name dob and tax id, instead of having to be fingerprinted.

I have found a few states that do this, but they all require payment by check. I don't have any checks and need to pay by credit card. Does anyone know of a US police department that will mail a police record check using name, dob and tax id, and that accepts payment by credit card?

Thanks

TRH · Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Posts: 340 Location: Hawaii

This was the top (sponsored) result for a Google search for "FBI background check." http://rocadc.com/police-clearance-retrieval-service/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAts-kBRCbgrXc1rnXw7MBEiQAnFqTdnQjCNwT-8hx_2gMmY3CPfgmYVkabXDFan8695WVLWQaAvsi8P8HAQ It looks like they will pull an FBI or a local check from most any US jurisdiction and get it authenticated as well.

Remember don't get an apostille for Vietnam. Get a State Dept. authentication. It's different.

As far as your idea about just going to another state, don't local checks have to be made where you live and require a local address on the application anyway? Otherwise people with convictions could just get clean records from Podunkville.

Actually you can pay for an FBI check by credit card. Two drawbacks are that the FBI will only mail it to a US address and you need fingerprints. You can download the form and do your own but it's difficult to get them right. Too bad but the State Dept website says that consulates and embassies will not do it. It seems to me that assisting citizens in getting FBI documentation would be an appropriate consular service. Also by the time you get done, the mailing costs may be greater than the fees for a service like the above.

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

Odd that they insist it has to be the "original" and not electronic because some electronic copies ARE the only and original copies. I had my criminal check done online from my state's local sheriff's department. They sent the result to my email, I sent it to my school, they printed it for me, I got it notarized and authenticated, and boom. Work Permit granted.

Newcomber · Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 23

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

I got it notarized at the Consulate in HCMC, but the Embassy does it as well. They used to offer authentication services at the Consulate so you could do both in 1 visit, but this latest time they sent me to a Vietnamese office several blocks away.

There, I went in, had to sit down at a computer and fill in a form they have there, go to another office next door to get it printed, then brought it back to the computer room and gave it to the people behind the counter. They said it would be ready the next day or they can mail it directly to your school.

If you're in Hanoi, you have it much easier to get it all done because you have the Embassy right there. Living in Danang, I have to fly to either Hanoi or HCMC whenever I need another piece of paperwork stamped.