Job Discussion Forums

calidan · Joined: 06 Aug 2014 Posts: 44

Hey everybody,

So, I'm gathering all my documents before heading to Vietnam, and I requested my criminal background check from the California Department of Justice. Below is what I got back. Is this all I can expect from them or should I get more? More importantly, is this sufficient?

Thanks,

Dan

edit: hmm... why can't I embed images?

Oh well, here's the URL:

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj506/xe_om1/DOJltr_zps109e5077.jpg

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

Given that it says there is no record found, I think that this is sufficient.

You should have received it notarized and/or sent it sealed, however. Hoping it works out for you.

calidan · Joined: 06 Aug 2014 Posts: 44

From what I've read, I need to get it notarized, but I don't see how that's going to work. i.e., based on what is a notary going to notarize this letter?

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

You have to request notarization from the source I believe but I think that you could get away with just notarizing it at the HCMC consulate if you're here already.

Demonietto · Joined: 19 Apr 2013 Posts: 50

My CA sheriff's dept had a notary public in the same building, it stopped twice before getting mailed back to me.

calidan · Joined: 06 Aug 2014 Posts: 44

I got a reply from the CA DOJ today that explains what needs to be done. Here it is:

Demonietto · Joined: 19 Apr 2013 Posts: 50

I didn't need any fingerprinting. Have you checked with your Sheriff's Dept.? Their letter says:
This is to certify that the above name Has been checked this date by a thorough search of the records and warrant files of this department.
The records of this department do not reveal any information of a criminal or subversive nature with this name. There are no outstanding warrants on the above named subject.
Sincerely
Blah blah blah

It has the Sheriff letterhead. The lower half has the legal jargon of the Notary Public certifying that everything is 'true and correct,' plus her stamp and signature. This, along with my other papers (BA, etc.), eventually got stamped by the consulate here in HCMC and have served to get my work permit.

calidan · Joined: 06 Aug 2014 Posts: 44

Yeah, I visited my local Sheriff's department records office. Their records only cover the county that I live in, and they provided me with a hand-out directing me to the same information I already had at the California DOJ.

I've submitted another request to the CA-DOJ, and emailed requesting an official Attorney General's seal and notarized signature, which they are providing. I should get that in a few days and if it isn't good enough, I can get a notarized report from my local Sheriff same-day.

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

You might want to check out this conversation between three fairly active and civil contributors: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=106527&highlight=fbi

It pretty well covers the advantages and disadvantages of an FBI vs. a local check. To me, the main advantages of the FBI check are that it can go directly to the US State Dept. for authentication and that it will not be questioned for wording by Vietnamese authorities. The main disadvantages are time and the need to be fingerprinted. However you make up some of the time by skipping the local authorizations that must precede the federal authentication. As soon as you get the FBI check you can send it straight to the US Dept. of State. Fingerprinting should not be too difficult if you are still in the US.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/abroad/legal-matters/criminal-record-check.html