Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mark7 · Joined: 22 May 2006

I'm in the midst of gathering my materials for submission for my ESL job, and one of the last few things I need is a criminal background check.

I called my state police department today (I live in the USA), and they said that they do "fingerprinting/background" checks on certain days of the week. Then they told me that it takes 3-6 weeks to complete.

Well, my job is supposed to start in March, and with 3-6 weeks being a factor, is there anyone else who did their criminal background in a different way?

I've read somewhere some people did it online or something. Thanks for the assist.

Satin · Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Location: Texas

In Texas, I just went to the Texas Department of Public Safety web site and did mine online. Cost just a bit over three dollars. A general criminal record check is all that's needed (immigration accepted mine). Took just a few minutes.

Be sure to make a printed copy for yourself for scanning (I emailed mine to the recruiter).

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I'm interested in the same thing, but I live in Canada. Any pointers? Thanks!

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Mark7 · Joined: 22 May 2006

Yeah, I'm in Maryland, so they told me to go to my local State police barracks and do one, which could take 3-6 weeks. At the same time, I was thinking about the guy from Texas who said he did his in a few minutes, I wish I could do the same.

I'll try looking for something like that, so I can just do something that is not that arduous.

Thanks guys.

maddog · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Location: Daegu

You need a criminal background check for Korea?????

I have an E-2 and never had to go through this. Is it because I'm from the UK and there are no criminals there?! Confused

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I'm in Canada - so it looks like the RCMP is the best way to go about it. Going to have to see where the closest one is in Halifax/Dartmouth. Thanks for the tips! Smile

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

if they like you you wont need one anyway. my uni advertised that i needed one, but it takes a long time from UK police to get one. i told them it might take some time to get one in my interview but they just said its ok, we don't really need it. i guess there is just some form they check a box in and thats that.

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

I just made a post about CRCs above, then found this one...

I'm noticing a gradual increase in schools requesting a CRC - Is this going to be the next transcript wave thing???? Oh no... Especially as it seems the procedures for getting a CRC are looking to be as varied as for getting a transcript... Sigh...

Mark7 · Joined: 22 May 2006

See, I didn't know it would take this long just to do a CRC. I thought you just had to go to a local police station and boom, they pull up something on a PC about you because you are a resident of the state, and have some file on me anyway. Something simple like that, not get your fingerprints and have like both local and state authorities do a background check.

The thing is, these checks that my state does (Maryland) are more for government applicants, so I understand why it would take longer. But we're talking more about a teaching position here, so hopefully there is a another way.

But, being naive as I am, now I have to find some other way to get something to present as a CRC. Anyone from Maryland or any other state found a way to get a CRC in a quicker method, like an online version? Because I'm looking at 6 weeks max before they send me some "report." The thing is, I have no record, so I am wondering if it would be sooner...

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Anybody ever just made their own?

Would the Koreans know?

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

Can I ask out of interest for what position are you being asked for a CRC?

Today, I tried to find out if there was a 'fasttrack' way to getting a CRC from the UK from another source, as it was also suggested to me a couple of days ago that I'd incur up to a 6 week waiting period at a cost of W20,000. From the source that I enquired to today, I am now told that I have to write my address history, not only for the past 5 years, but now it's the past 10 years! Every address has to have proof of stay, and each has to have been registered with each overseas immigration office of each country I've lived in... OMG!

I'm praying that this CRC requirement isn't going to be universally applied to every teaching job. I wish the schools would take the burden of getting this by applying for it on our behalves.

I think I will seriously start turning to forgery. It might be worth getting hold of the application forms from the police, then finding a stamp from your classroom which says 'good' on it and stamping the form yourself.

Scouse Mouse · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Location: Cloud #9

onlyinkorea · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

I'm having the same dilemma with my CRC. I'm wondering what exactly immigration needs (as my employer said, it's immigration who needs it, not them. Is this true???). This is a change, since I didn't need one last year. My state (Wisconsin) issues them by city. Since I haven't lived in the same city all my life, I'm wondering what they need. National? Statewide? My employer isn't giving me that info. I can get one online through my State Department of Justice (You may want to check that out for Maryland too) but it won't be certified or whatever. Is that ok?
I'm supposed to fly out February 10 but now I may have to change my ticket due to this new b.s. with CRCs. Not happy.