Korean Job Discussion Forums

whatever · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Location: Korea: More fun than jail.

I extended my visa about a year ago and it required a CRC for the first time, so I arranged for one from my home state, Virginia. No problem, I thought. I've lived in a few other states for extended periods of time, as well.

Unfortunately, the process took an inordinately long time, relative to what I was assured of by checking online sources and contacting appropriate offices by telephone. Although I thought I'd budgeted plenty of time to get it before it was needed, it came so close to the deadline as to cause a lot of stress for me and my employer. It also required the involvement of family back home to expedite it in the first place, with the application needing to be filled out, signed, notarized and mailed in. Took a lot of time.

To make matters worse, the returned form, which of course is meant for domestic consumption and not foreign immigration authorities, was difficult to interpret. Essentially, it was just the application sent in by my relative dominating the page, and a tiny box in a tiny section of the bottom of the page hand-signed and stamped saying 'No Conviction Data'. There was a stamp, but it didn't say anything, just a date. So, when turned in to Immi, they looked at the vague language and said wtf...where is the stamp saying 'No Criminal Record'. Well, there wasn't one, and my boss had to beg and plead for them to accept it.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is this:

What was your CRC procedure like? What state did you get it from?

I've considered other states (NC, NY, FL) that I've lived in, but it wouldn't hurt to know if there are other states with simple procedures and crystal-clear forms that Immi would easily understand.

Thanks for your imput!

Captain Marlow · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Location: darkness

got mine from the city of atlanta... it wasn't even a state/national check and immi took it no problem... point being, i could have committed murder one town over, and still have gotten a clean crc...

SOOHWA101 · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:38 am Post subject:

I strolled over to the adjacent county and visited the local police department; I asked for a CBC and they produced one in about 3 minutes, notarized. Clean as a whistle. Sent it to the state capital and had it appostilled. Got it back 10 days later. Immi was pleased. End of story.

warren pease · Joined: 12 May 2008

PA. just a random crc from a local (though not necessarily my local) courthouse. A complete joke. $15 and about 20 minutes of my time.

expattarheel · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Location: Louisville, KY

i had to get one from NC. unfortunately, NC doesn't do statewide CBCs for their residents, and only outsource this to private companies to issue for you (i read somewhere on here that immi wouldn't take company sponsored CBCs...only state issued) so, i just had my parents go to the county courthouse and get a county one. i had it sent over here and swore my oath at the embassy and got my stamp/seal.

it takes like 5 minutes to get it at the courthouse, costs 10 bucks (i think), but it's only limited to that specific county. the down side is that there is no online/mail option--it's got to be done in person (anyone can request the record for you, though. if you still have friends in NC, they can do it for you).

didn't have a problem with immi accepting it, though, since i had my stamp from the embassy also. hope that helps.

Gimpokid · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Location: Best Gimpo

California- Made an appointment at the local police station. Got finger printed and two days later the letter was in the mail. I took it to a real estate agent that had free notary services then drove to my aunt's house in Sacramento, spent the night and had it apostilled at the state secretary's office the next day. All and all it took 3-4 days, but a fair bit of travel because time was of the essence. No immigration snags and not including gas the whole thing cost about $65.

krshearman74 · Joined: 30 Oct 2008

Louisiana

Sauntered into the county clerk's office. Said I wanted a CRC. Paid $10. Walked out with a piece of paper with a fancy imprint and signature stating that I have no criminal record. I didn't even have to produce ID or give a local address - I could've gotten a check on Barack Obama or Mickey Mouse just as easily.

Nierlisse · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Location: South Korea

Got ours in Michigan; just went to the local police station in our town and they printed one up for us. We had it notarized at the township offices in the same building and sent it to the Secretary of State's office to be apostilled. I was worried K-immigration wouldn't take it because it was just a local check, but they accepted it just fine.
$10 for the notary
$1 per apostille

runthegauntlet · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Location: the southlands.

Tennessee.

Went to the TN Bureau of Investigation website, requested CRC for 29 dollars. Got it about a week later.

Drove 20 minutes to Nashville to the Dep. of State and asked for an apostle. He asked if I wanted one of Jesus'. Hmm, woops. Then I was told I first needed a notary. Drove 10 minutes to another place to get a notary, took all of 17 seconds. Drove back for the apostille. Cost five bucks or so and took an additional 4.6 seconds. All done.

whatever · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Location: Korea: More fun than jail.

Thanks for the replies~

Thus far, everyone responding (aside from expattarheel) has obtained one while physically being in their state, county, etc. This isn't an option for me. Anybody get one while in Korea? What was your experience like?

I'm certain it is quite easy if you're there. Wink

Benicio · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject:

I got my background check from the police station when I was home this past month. However, I didn't get it notarized or apostled- dumb me didn't know I had to do that.
Now, I'm back in Korea. Any suggestions on what to do about that?
Do I have to go to the embassy in Seoul?

Any help appreciated!

warren pease · Joined: 12 May 2008

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

Maryland - I got my CBC while I was in Thailand for an extended period of time. I called to have the fingerprint card sent to my family. They sent me two of them. I went to a police station in Bangkok and had both cards printed just in case they screwed one up. I sent them back to my family with some form requesting a state check. They wrote out a check and mailed it in. A few days later, the CBC was sent back with the magic words.

My family then sent it off to the Sec. of State. It was back in two days. At that point, my family sent it off to my boss.