Korean Job Discussion Forums

[armbar]

All right, I didn't want to hi-jack any other threads on apostilles and background checks because I sort of have a special situation here. I sent for an FBI Criminal Record Check (which consisted of me sending a fingerprint card, cover letter and a money order to the FBI place in WV). They sent it back. I got the NO ARREST RECORD stamp on the back but there was no signature on the CRC anywhere. So, I sent it to the US dept of State in Washington DC. after a 3 week wait I get an email saying that I have to get the apostille done at the Maryland Sec of State office (I'm in Maryland). I called the MD sec of State office and the lady there said if it has no signature, they can't apostille it. I'm in the middle of figuring this mess out on my own thru phone calls and emails. So, I have a few specific questions:

1-- Has anyone gotten the FBI CRC and did it have a signature? I dunno if it is supposed to have one. If it is suposed to have one, then my life will be a lot easierbecause someone just forgot to sign it.

2--Has anyone gotten the FRBI CRC apostilled? I can't be the only person trying to get an FBI check apostilled. I know all about getting states checks and how they are easier, etc. but I have a misdemeanor charge that showed up on the state check that wasn't reported the the FBI so the FBI check makes me look like an angel, which I am.

3-- Does anyone have any USEFUL advice? This process is really stressing me out. I have a job in Seoul( great pay and schedule) and this process is holding me up bigtime. So if your advice is condescending, irrevelent, or mean spirited--do me a favor and save it.

4--What is the process for getting an apostille through the courts? This route sounds like a real pain in the butt but if I gotta do it this way, could someone point me in the right direction?

Thank you all for you advice
thankyou and goodnight

[armbar]

please.....anyone?

[PGF]

Can't you get a relative to get a local police check?

Won't that be good enough?

Why FBI?

[Adventurer]

I think it would be better to skip all this, get a local background check at a police station. Then go to the required state office to get the apostille. You don't need an FBI check. You can use a police station one issued by the state. I haven't had to deal with this yet, but I am telling you based on my understanding.

God help the newbies or people wanting to come back.....

May the Lord grant you strength and patience...

[DongtanTony]

Don't know specifically about the FBI...but as it applies to most other scenarios involving notarizations...you have to request the notarization specifically.

The only way to get the apostille is to have the notarization...courts will get you nowhere.

It may only involve calling the FBI office you obtained the check from...re-mailing the document with a letter specifically requesting the notarization. Then...mailing that to your sec of state office...but again...it's a best guess.

Good info about the FBI check though...a misdy not showing up...good advice.

[nuthatch]

......

[armbar]

OK, so the reason Ineed the FBI check is because it says NO ARREST RECORD on it whereas the state check has my misdemeanor listed. I do not want to take a chance that Korean Immigration will deny my visa. I want the clean record to go through Immigration. If you had the choice of submitting a clean record or questionable record through immigration, which would you do??

Hopefully, I can get the FBI one notarized and then apostilled and all will be good.

Thanks for the advice....keep it coming!

I really want to hear from someone in the same boat as me....like I said, I can't be the only one.

[d.coles]

1-- Has anyone gotten the FBI CRC and did it have a signature? I dunno if it is supposed to have one. If it is suposed to have one, then my life will be a lot easierbecause someone just forgot to sign it.

I got an FBI CRC. No it was not signed, just the stamp saying no record

2--Has anyone gotten the FRBI CRC apostilled? I can't be the only person trying to get an FBI check apostilled. I know all about getting states checks and how they are easier, etc. but I have a misdemeanor charge that showed up on the state check that wasn't reported the the FBI so the FBI check makes me look like an angel, which I am.

I easily got an FBI CRC apostilled in New York. No problems and as of today I have my visa in my passport ready to go.

3-- Does anyone have any USEFUL advice? This process is really stressing me out. I have a job in Seoul( great pay and schedule) and this process is holding me up bigtime. So if your advice is condescending, irrevelent, or mean spirited--do me a favor and save it.

Don't stress! It seems everyone is making this process seem more complicated. I have done it and I'm sure others have as well.

4--What is the process for getting an apostille through the courts? This route sounds like a real pain in the butt but if I gotta do it this way, could someone point me in the right direction?

I have no idea what "going through the courts" entails. I've posted the exact process for getting my FBI CRC apostilled in a few other threads. PM me if you want what I did step-by-step


P.S. I did mine stateside in person, not sure if you are already in Korea. So I have no idea how to go about all of this through the mail.