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m0onbeem
Joined: 18 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:06 am Post subject: Confused Cali Background Check vs Criminal Background Check |
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hey guys,
as most of you know, to renew e2 visa we need a 'criminal background check.' i didn't have to do this last time, so i am not familiar with the process.
anyway, while searching different sites, i've been getting really confused with the different types of terminology. seems like a 'criminal record' is not exactly the same as 'background check.' i've also come across a "clearance" letter' that is stated specifically used for immigration/visa purposes or travel.
i lived in Los Angeles before moving abroad. per the county website, they can provide a 'police clearance letter for immigration purposes' aka 'letter of good conduct." but looks like i can only request one in person.
per california department of justice (DOJ) website, i can obtain a copy of my 'criminal history record' by providing a fingerprint card + $25 HOWEVER, I CAN NOT use the 'record to furnish to another person or agency for immigration, visa etc...."
so i did some more digging and found the DOJ provides 'record clearance for visa/ immigration and foreign adoption purposes.' to obtain this i need to submit the fingerprint card + $25 + letter stating why the clearance was needed.
has anyone used the 'record clearance' to renew their visa? is it the same thing as a 'criminal background check'???
please, please help!
thank you!
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NoExplode
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:43 am Post subject: |
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| Photoshop is your friend. |
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Bread
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Your state is a jerk. For my PA state background check, I went to a government website, paid by credit card, printed it out instantly, and got my visa with it. |
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Marissa0687
Joined: 26 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:11 am Post subject: |
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| I was wondering if you had any luck with this?? I'm also from Cali and the local police stations only offer "clearance letters" that check county records. Is this acceptable? |
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Scamps
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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You should just go to the FBI website. www.fbi.gov
On the bottom left side it says "more services" click that.
Then you'll see criminal background checks under most requested services. Click that, fill out the form, ask your local police station to fingerprint you and pay $18.
Follow the instructions. It seems rather easy.
It says it takes about 3-4 weeks. I heard you can take it to Korea and get the apostille stamp at the US Embassy. But you should double check on that. |
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tired of LA
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: Confused Cali Background Check vs Criminal Background Ch |
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| m0onbeem wrote: |
hey guys,
as most of you know, to renew e2 visa we need a 'criminal background check.' i didn't have to do this last time, so i am not familiar with the process.
anyway, while searching different sites, i've been getting really confused with the different types of terminology. seems like a 'criminal record' is not exactly the same as 'background check.' i've also come across a "clearance" letter' that is stated specifically used for immigration/visa purposes or travel.
i lived in Los Angeles before moving abroad. per the county website, they can provide a 'police clearance letter for immigration purposes' aka 'letter of good conduct." but looks like i can only request one in person.
per california department of justice (DOJ) website, i can obtain a copy of my 'criminal history record' by providing a fingerprint card + $25 HOWEVER, I CAN NOT use the 'record to furnish to another person or agency for immigration, visa etc...."
so i did some more digging and found the DOJ provides 'record clearance for visa/ immigration and foreign adoption purposes.' to obtain this i need to submit the fingerprint card + $25 + letter stating why the clearance was needed.
has anyone used the 'record clearance' to renew their visa? is it the same thing as a 'criminal background check'???
please, please help!
thank you!
|
Yes it is the same. I did it last year. I emailed someone at the DOJ to say that I was in Korea and I needed a background check for a visa. He sent me some fingerprint cards (the fingerprints have to be on card stock, not plain paper). I went to a police station in Korea and they just gave me the ink to fingerprint myself. I did two cards in case one got smudged. They mailed me the background check to my parents address in California. All my letter said was that I needed a background check to get a E-2 visa for Korea and that it needed to be apostilled. This is important because they will enclose a letter so you can get it apostilled without getting it notarized because its a document issued by the state. Just make sure they include the letter with a original signature and a seal. Then have a friend mail it to the Secretary of State in Sacramento or have them take it to the government building on Spring St in downtown Los Angeles to get it apostilled. |
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orin_louis
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject: verdict? |
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so then which is it?
i ordered the police report yesterday, and am expected to go pick it up (and pay $44) today. do i go or not? is the fbi fingerprinted card absolutely necessary? if so, i have to wait a month to get the card back from them, then another month for korea to clear me? this is assuming it does not take longer, which it probably will....?
do i pay the police station or is what they have to give me worthless?
thanks in advance. |
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tired of LA
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: verdict? |
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| orin_louis wrote: |
so then which is it?
i ordered the police report yesterday, and am expected to go pick it up (and pay $44) today. do i go or not? is the fbi fingerprinted card absolutely necessary? if so, i have to wait a month to get the card back from them, then another month for korea to clear me? this is assuming it does not take longer, which it probably will....?
do i pay the police station or is what they have to give me worthless?
thanks in advance. |
your local police check is fine. stop worrying. like i said in my post under this thread, i was in korea, so i had to get a fingerprint card. i couldn't go into a local police station back home because i was in korea. the california doj is faster and easier than getting an fbi check so i did it with the them. if i was in california, i would have just gone into a local police station. |
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orin_louis
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject: Re: verdict? |
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ya thanks.
i m much more relaxed.
just got spooked for a moment.
couldn't survive for that many months w/out another job.
and no jobs to be had here.
so anyway.
thx |
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orin_louis
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: verdict? |
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ya thanks.
i m much more relaxed.
just got spooked for a moment.
couldn't survive for that many months w/out another job.
and no jobs to be had here.
so anyway.
thx |
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