Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Park English]

Hi everyone,

We just wanted to clear up some confusion on criminal background checks from the US.

1. Make sure you request a state check; local background checks are no longer accepted by immigration. The state check does not need fingerprints, although a state check with fingerprints is fine. Again, just make sure you request a state check.

2. State checks vary by state; in some states they are done by the Department of Justice, Department of State or the state police. If you are confused, contact the state police in your state and they should be able to either take care of the state check for you or tell you exactly where to get it. Do not use an online printout; state background checks with www. addresses on them will be denied by immigration.

3. Also, if you are from Pennsylvania, make sure you use the mail in form to request your state background check; here is a link to the mail in form in PA: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=4451&&PageID=458621&level=2&css=L2&mode=2

Hope this helps clear up some confusion.

Sincerely,

Park English

[loyfriend]

Dont they still need to be noterized or APostale stamped?

[D-Jay]

[Park English]

Hi again,

Right, state background checks in the US still need to be apostilled; make sure your background check is apostilled in the same state (for example, if your state background check is from Ohio, your apostille must be from Ohio as well). Here is a link to apostille locations in the US: http://www.apostilleinfo.com/usa.htm.

Also, right about Arizona (should have mentioned that in the previous post; thanks for bringing it up). In Arizona, there is no state background check; if you are from Arizona you need to get an FBI check which can take about a month, so request it early if you can. Once you have the FBI check, then get the apostille.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Park English

[KevinLS]

[classydame]

The states vary A LOT so double check what you need before you order. I ordered the name-based check, but Idaho won't notarize/apostille it unless it is a fingerprint based check. Double check what your state requires so you don't have to pay twice!

[bixlerscott]

Thanks for the info OP. Yep, one snafu is notarization is required to get apostille, but my Secretary of State office went ahead and did it without notarization since a notary public would have to be present at the place the CBC is issued to witness and verify it's authenticity. No notary public would notarize in my local area despite how authentically real it looked. Technically, notary publics are required to have all parties involved with a document to be present in order to notarize so maybe you can get around this like I did the 1st go around by getting friendly Dept. of State people to understand your catch 22 situation. Missouri has been trying in recent years to clear up these sorts of mishaps involving various types of documents.

Sorry to hijack this thead, but while we're talking about CBC's....




...drumroll...








How long are they good for?

[Park English]

Hi again,

KevinLS: You should be fine with the state check and apostille you have in Georgia; we have not had any issues with teachers from Georgia.

classydame: Thanks for the update on Idaho state background checks and apostilles. If you are from Idaho, it seems you need to get the state check with fingerprints in order to get it apostilled.

bixlerscott: Your state background check in the US is good for six months (you have to start teaching in Korea within six months of the date of issue on the check; otherwise you need to get a new one).

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Park English

[KevinLS]

[bixlerscott]

Thanks Park English. Yep, I went to my state capital yesterday and easily got my CBC and apostille. Ask the person issueing you your CBC if they can notorize so the apostille is a cinch at your state's secretary of state business services office. Now you just need a crisp clean passport in good condition as well as quickly obtained uni transcripts besides your resume, photo, and time to be on your way to a job that offers you an independent lifestyle including really cool vacations in hot places.

[Old Gil]

[Sincinnatislink]

So does this mean that the sworn affidavit process at the embassy is no longer valid?

[Park English]

Hi everyone,

Sorry about not maintaining the thread.

Old Gil: There is always another option for state background checks than an online printout. The option depends on the state, but you can get a state check given or mailed to you; in Pennsylvania there is a mail in form. In a few states the state check given or mailed to you may have a www address on it, but it will be more official with a real signature and stamp(s).

Sincinnatislink: The sworn affidavit process is still valid at the US embassy in Seoul (for teachers already in Korea).

Park English Team

[Park English]

Hi again,

Also, there seems to be some confusion with state checks from North Carolina. State checks in North Carolia are done through the State Bureau of Investigation (Department Of Justice) in Raleigh.

On a side note, if you get an FBI check in North Carolina (which there is no reason to) you cannot get it apostilled. However, in Arizona (the only state that does not issue state background checks) you can get the FBI check apostilled.

Hope this helps.

Park English Team

[Old Gil]