Job Discussion Forums

cks · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 144

Possibly; I just give them my papers and happily accept the 1000 kc renewal stamp. I don't think that musical chef or anyone needed to spend any time or money on the U.S criminal records abroad unless some language school requested it. I personally had to get my criminal record extract here at the embassy because I am switching to permanent residency status. It took only 10 minutes of my time for 600 kc.

So I personally think it is best not to worth paying money and going through the hassels to get your criminal record in the States. It can be done here at the embassy should anyone ask for it, but I have yet to experience anyone from a language school who wanted this.

musicalchef · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 36 Location: Prague

I wish I had known this before I paid for it TWICE and then went through the hassle of getting the silly thing here and worrying myself sick when it didn't arrive on time! Rolling Eyes

But since it's here, should I go ahead and get it translated in case the foreign police want it?

By the way, it's my first time applying for visa here, if that makes any difference. Maybe for the first time, they want the American criminal report, and then after you've been living here they want the Czech one when you renew?

cks · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 144

Don't spend any money on translating it unless they need it. You should wait. Have you already made your appointment with an embassy abroad for the visa? I think it depends on the embassy that you choose and what they are asking for. I know the embassy in Vienna wanted different papers than the one in Bratislava. Give them a call and ask for specifically all the documents they want.

musicalchef · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 36 Location: Prague

Thanks cks; I plan to go to Dresden. It seems to be the closest/cheapest and from what I understand I will actually have to go twice. I have their contact information and will call them on Monday.

ITTP · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 343 Location: Prague/Worldwide

musicalchef · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 36 Location: Prague

Hmm, I already have my appointment for next week. Hope it goes well anyways!

musicalchef · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 36 Location: Prague

maastricht · Joined: 11 Feb 2011 Posts: 38

I emailed the US embassy in Prague and they said that either an affidavit or the FBI background check would work. I also emailed a Czech embassy in another country and they said the FBI background check would be fine.

I have a question about the FBI background check. Since both the zivno application and the visa application require a criminal extract, can I just get one copy of the FBI background check, submit it for the zivno, and have it returned to me? Or do I need two separate copies?

tombanjo · Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Posts: 5

Does anyone know if they actually make you have the criminal record check from any countries you've been in for longer than 6 months? I have the affidavit from the US Embassy, and have requested a criminal check with apostille from the Korean embassy (I worked in Korea) but my visa appointment is coming up and I still haven't gotten the check back from the Korean Embassy.

I have a notarized check from a police office in Korea in the town where I worked, would this suffice translated into Czech? It doesn't have the apostille.

johnnyappleseed · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:52 am Post subject:

Affidavit for US citizens definitely enough. In the CZ you can get one at the American embassy and then you have to get it officially translated. I think that it's possible to just have a Czech notary sign an affidavit in Czech, so I've heard, though I've never done it.

nzbradly78 · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 2:39 am Post subject:

I'd like to tell you that an affidavit isn't enough if you are applying for your visa from outside of the Czech Republic. I've had to get a background check from my home state (not hard) and then from any country I've lived in for six months over the last three years. These need to be translated. Fortunately for me, my employer is taking care of the translation services for all my documents. But you should be aware of this, if you are applying from outside of the CR.

cooltyp · Joined: 25 Dec 2010 Posts: 12 Location: EU

I am already in the Czech Republic and have signed my work contract/work permit. they requested a criminal background check from my home state (US). Should i get state background check and have it stamped and mailed to me? What is a signed affidavit? Is this easier?

musicalchef · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 36 Location: Prague

Cooltyp, it is just a form (in both English and Czech) saying that you swear you have never committed a crime. You need to sign it with a notary. I don't remember where to get it; maybe your boss can help? I think they just printed it out for me at school; it was a couple years ago. I just took it to a Czech notary, and it was very cheap. the last time I went to Czechpoint (the one at Vodickova) with an affidavit that had both Czech and English on it, they said they couldn't sign it since the notary also had to know both Czech and English. They have papers ready there with lists of notaries who can help you; one was just around the corner.