Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peterlis]

Before I came to Korea in 2009 I applied for the backgound check on the FBI website; got fingerprinted and received the results by mail. I brounght the results to be sealed (apostille) in my state's capital (NJ), but the document doesn't indicate anything national, only New Jersey seal of Police -not FBI. In 2010 upon my E-2 visa renewal I was told in Chuncheon that state wide criminal check isn't good enough anymore, nust be national.
Now, do I need to go back to States to redo the same process?
Is there Korean based service that does that for US citizens?
Can I use my fingerprints to apply for national criminal record again?
Did I get my criminal check from a wrong website?
When I asked what the U.S. national record looks like, Korean immigration officer couldn't tell, because never saw one. If Koreans don't know, U.S. Embassy doesn't want to deal with it, then who does?
I don't feel like spending monthly wages to something that can be done remotely.
help, please

[Riker]

Well from my experience you can't do the FBI check on a website. You download the form and send in an 18 dollar money order with a note saying you need the signature of a division official and an official seal.


It must be mailed in to the FBI. It can take up to 3 months. Mine arrived at the FBI on December 1st, and I am still waiting 6 weeks later.

[Riker]

Sorry, forgot to add you get the Apostille from the US department of State. It takes about 3 - 5 weeks.

Here is the website for the FBI :

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/background_checks

[marsavalanche]

[millyfrend]

If you're applying for your FBI background check, just follow the links people are giving you. If you are in South Korea, just go to the police station and have them fingerprint you on a FD-258 card. If they don't have that, just download the printable version on the FBI site. That will work.

Note: Make sure you do 2 fingerprints cards, so when you mail it in to the FBI, it doesn't get rejected. Last thing you want is wait for a few weeks and get a rejection letter from the FBI. Rule of thumb, if you can see your prints on the FBI cards/paper, the FBI operator can see your prints and compare it to their database. I think it's done manually as it takes 6-12 weeks for the background check process. This time of year, it takes 2-5 weeks because winter time is when people start to request it less frequently. Make sure you ask for seal and sign by Kimberly, so you can have it apostille, as it is the next step.

Next step is the apostille. You can do it a few ways. You can forward it to a family member in the U.S. from the FBI or forward to an apostille agency (tell you below) so you don't have to spend extra money to send it back to the U.S. for apostille.

If you forward your background check directly to a family member, they can do the apostille for you, if they are in D.C. If not, you can forward it to an apostille agency (one like www.apostillepros.com - that's what people on the forum are recommending as they expedite the apostille process) where they can do it in 3-5 business days.
If not, you can have it sent to South Korea, pay for the FedEx to D.C. and wait for 15-25 business days (approx 3-4 weeks for the apostille).
Hope that helps.

[Triple007]

Hey Riker. Can you please let me know when you receive your Criminal Background Check? The FBI received my background check on November 30th so we should be getting ours around the same time. Fingers crossed for both of us!

[Riker]

Yea no problem. Same for you. Let me know if you get something before me.

[Triple007]

Will Do. (I don't think I have enough posts to PM yet so I will post in here or the "Post How long your American CBC has taken thread."

[peterlis]

My biggest problem is making sure that the criminal record document will state that the background check was nationwide and not New Jersey only.
Also I want an FBI seal, not the state. US embassy in Seoul suggested I get my fingerprints done in Korea, but do the FBI recognize non-affiliated ID verification offices such as some village in Korea? I could totally send another guy to do fingerprints for me... I am just worried that FBI will not accept fingerprint cards from agencies other than their "subcontractors". this was the case 2009. They strictly referred me to do it in one place only.
Another question is "Why send docs all the way to D.C.?" I had my electronically verifiable Apostilles for criminal record and diploma done with the State Office in Trenton, NJ in 30 min., but with a week's notice appointment. Any difference?
I guess it comes down to: Is it about the content of the document or the attorney's seal? I think Korean Immigration figured that expats move a lot and could get fingerprints from any town in U.S. that doesn't have their records. That's why they want to make sure it's national. What's next, Interpol?

[marsavalanche]

[Triple007]

Riker: I have an update. I have not received my CBC yet, however I have received a confirmation that my background check is done processing. (I asked the lady if my fingerprints were accepted, and she said, 'They weren't rejected, thats all I can tell you." She said if I get it within 2 weeks. Hope this helps Riker. Yours should be done soon. You need to remember to Be REALLY nice on the phone and pretend to care about them lol.

[AnsanAnswers]

[millyfrend]

I went to the site, I got like 2 popups? What? I didn't see where I can download anything. Just a bunch of cartoon stuff.

[marsavalanche]

[machoman]

if you choose to have the FBI send it back via first class mail, how does that work? how do you pay for that? i want to have my CRC sent back to a friend in the states.