Job Discussion Forums

novemberprincesse · Joined: 13 May 2014 Posts: 2

So I'm a little confused about this criminal background check. The school hiring me says I don't have to get and FBI check, but he said I could get a fingerprint local check...? Is it necessary to do a fingerprint check or can I just order a records check online?

Didah · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:07 am Post subject:

From my experience, there are three types of background checks for teaching ESL and one isn't exactly a real background check. In some provinces in China, all you have to do is sign and date a statement letter in English and Chinese that you have no criminal record in your own country or abroad.

In the past, I have been requested to do the following:

Up until a few years ago, most schools I was applying to wanted a local law enforcement agency check. That meant going to the main police or sheriff's station, showing a driver's license and paying a small fee to receive a letter stating you have no criminal record information on file. They will also notarize it for an additional fee. The last time I did this a couple of years ago for a job that I ultimately passed on cost $5 for the letter and $20 for the notary service. There should be a clerk that is a notary that will do it in the station. The four times I received this letter in three different cities it was about the same procedure. So, if all they want is a local police / law enforcement check, all you need is your driver's license and cash -- finger prints are not necessary.

From my experience, you only need finger prints for the FBI criminal records check if you are in the United States. The FBI website has a link to a page where you can get the instructions and the form.

Find a local fingerprinting/passport photo businesses and have the prints done on the FBI card/form. Then, send the prints and application to an address in West Virginia.

If all you need is the police records check, it is pretty easy. The only other thing you might need is proof that you live in the local police jurisdiction such as the address on your driver's license or a bank or utility bill.

Good luck

toteach · Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 273

I went to my local police station in my home country and asked for a letter that indicated I was a citizen in good standing in my county of residence. After running my name and finding nothing (whew!), they printed out a letter which the school accepted. This letter was free...

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

This differs from locality to locality. Some places no check is necessary. In Beijing (if you were say American) it now needs to be done through the FBI (with fingerprints) and then signed off by the State Department and a Chinese embassy of consulate in the US. You need to really hammer them at the school, and have them write down the exact requirements and steps you need to take, to ensure your best chances of success and least frustration.

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

"Has anyone actually had experience with going through the FBI check? When I called Langley (maybe it was Arlington, it's all just outside D.C.)., a few years ago when the BC check was a rumor, I had to call twice. The first time I got a message saying that they answered the phone on Thursdays between the hours of 2:30 and 4:30. When I called back on a Thursday, I was put on maxihold. So much for that."

Always fun dealing with any government. I got an FBI check to do computer contract work at the FBI when I lived in DC. The funny thing though is I would work at a different government agency every month or so and always had to do a new check. They would never accept another's. Luckily I had a skill set that was in high demand back in the IT glory days so I was compensated at my outrageously high hourly rate if I had to put in any extra hours for it. Certainly not like being an ESL teacher. I would have thought the Chinese were the champions for sleeping at work had I not witnessed it so much in the federal government. Probably why you need to plan out 3-7 weeks if you are in a Chinese locality that requires this type of check.

ankhetbast · Joined: 12 Feb 2011 Posts: 1

When I was dealing with getting mine, I told them that they need to triple their staff. I would say that is being conservative. There is no reason it should take that long.

litterascriptor · Joined: 17 Jan 2013 Posts: 360

I got mine a few months ago. I did a state fingerprint check. Took about a week. Worked fine with no problems.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Trebek · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 401 Location: China