Korean Job Discussion Forums

arizona · Joined: 05 Dec 2008

How do I do this?
My local police station said they only do it for the city, not the state. Is this still okay? Or do I need to contact FBI's Criminal Justice Information Service? Anyone?

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

arizona · Joined: 05 Dec 2008

My visa is E7 visa, not E2.
Does this matter?

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

Nope ...

TBirdMG · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: SF, CA, USA

First of all, you need to stop posting four times for the exact same thing.

Second, just go down to the Phoenix/Tucson/whereever City Records/Documents verification office. You'll show photo ID, the city will run an instantaneous police records check (ONLY for the city) on you. You may require fingerprinting for it. You may not. Depends on the city.

You pay a fee, about $10. The government official will issue you a statement that says you have no criminal record. Ask that it also be notarized by the officer processing the paperwork. If nobody is there to notarize for you, take the document to a bank to have it notarized. That's about $5 more.

Then you need to submit the notarized background check to the AZ Secretary of State's Office to be apostilled. The office is in downtown PHX next to the state legislature building. The apostille costs $3 and can be done in person in 10 minutes, or via mail in under a week.

If you have a criminal record in your city, try to get a criminal background check from a different municipality. For example, if I lived in Flag, I could go down to PHX and get one. Or vice versa. If you don't have a record, get it in the city of your residence. The government offices don't care where you live. You just say, 'Oh yeah, I have to prove to my new employer that I never committed a felony here...." Nobody cares...except Korean immigration...and they still can't figure out how to do it right.

PM if you need more help.

mscoop1085 · Joined: 12 Feb 2009

Are misdemeanor alcohol citations a problem for criminal background check? My recruiter said I would be fine with the alcohol charge and said the check is for felonies and sex, drugs, or violent crimes.

TBirdMG · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: SF, CA, USA

It's a criminal record search. If you have any criminal record, it shows up. Misdemeanor shoplifting, underage DUI...all the way up to planning to assassinate the President or building a meth lab in the back yard (a pastime in parts of AZ). Get the check...find out what's on it. Remember: it's only MUNICIPAL.

arizona · Joined: 05 Dec 2008

Thanks TBirdMG! Sounds like you are from here in the valley somewhere. I will do my check according to your advice. By the way, I didn't know I posted 4 times. Unlike Korea's super speed internet, it is slower than a snail here. Thanks again.