A Complete Guide to Getting A Police Clearance Certificate for US Immigration

A police clearance certificate or a police check is one of the compulsory documents for entry to the US. To get a police clearance certificate for US immigration, it is crucial to carefully prepare all necessary documents according to the requirements of relevant authorities.

Follow this article from Thao & Co. to learn everything you need to know about this process.

When do I need a Police Clearance Certificate for US Immigration?

A police clearance certificate or police check is a document issued by the National Center for Judicial Records or the Department of Justice. This certificate contains:

1. ● Criminal records and court convictions of an individual.
2. ● Whether this individual is banned from holding certain positions in enterprises or establishing and managing their own business.

A police check is necessary for entities who want to enter the US for the following purposes:

1. ● Settling in the US
2. ● Marriage with foreign citizens
3. ● Studying in formal institutions
4. ● Sponsoring family members to come to the US
5. ● Applying for a US work permit
6. ● Applying for a US visa renewal
7. ● Seeking job opportunities
8. ● Investigation, prosecution, and adjudication work.
9. ● and so on.

Requirements for Police Clearance Certificate for US Immigration

According to US laws, foreign citizens who want to enter the US are requested to submit a police check.

You need to meet these eligibility criteria:

1. ● You must be a foreign citizen, at least 16 years old.
2. ● Your police certificate must be issued within the last 2 years.
3. ● For people who have been living in other countries for over 6 months, you will need to apply for a police check at the authorities of your country of residence.

A valid police check must contain these details:

1. ● Personal information of the applicant: Full name, date of birth, nationality, permanent and temporary address, national ID number, passport number, full name of family members (parents, spouse, etc.)
2. ● Criminal records: The police check will show you have no history of a criminal record, or your full criminal records, including your previous convictions and current charges.
3. ● Whether you are banned from holding certain positions in enterprises or establishing and managing your own business
4. ● Police check translations need to be certified before submission to agencies and authorities in the US

⭐Note: According to the USCIS, foreign documents only require certified translations performed by professional translation agencies. You don’t need to obtain a notarized translation at notary public offices or the Department of Justice.

Required documents for police check application

Here are the documents you need to submit for a police check application:

1. ● A declaration requesting the issuance of a police clearance certificate
2. ● National ID, or passport
3. ● Certificate of permanent or temporary residence
4. ● Fingerprint card (if required)

Keep in mind that you must submit your own application for the police clearance certificate.

How to get a Police Clearance Certificate for US Immigration

How to get a police check in your country of residence

If you’re applying for U.S. permanent residency (or a green card), you’ll need a police check. Follow these steps to get your certificate:

1. Step 1: Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country page to find country-specific guidelines for obtaining civil documents.
2. Step 2: Select your country or region from the A-Z list located in the top-left corner of the page.
3. Step 3: Scroll down to find the “Police, Court, Prison Records” section, then expand it to view the instructions, designated locations, and associated fees.
4. Step 4: Prepare and submit your application following the guidelines provided.
5. Step 5: If your police certificate is in a language other than English, have it translated and certified.

How to get a Police Clearance Certificate in the USA

If you request an Identity History Summary from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), do as follows:

1. Step 1: Visit your local police department to complete the FD-1164 fingerprint card.
2. Step 2: Submit your request for an identity check to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. Make sure to include your full name, date and place of birth, and a set of ink fingerprints.
3. Step 3: Track your request status and receive your FBI background check via email.

Check out: How to get PCC Apostille

Cost Breakdown of Police Clearance Certificate for US Immigration

Here’s a general overview of the fees related to obtaining a US police clearance certificate:

1. ● Fingerprinting fees: Range from $10 to $50 per instance.
2. ● FBI Identity History Summary Check fees: Cost approximately $15 each per request.
3. ● Service fees: If you use a third-party service, additional costs may apply.

Fees for police clearance certificates vary depending on your country of residence.

Does Police Clearance Certificate for US Immigration need Translation?

The answer is Yes. According to US regulations, police checks and other foreign documents must be translated into English and certified to guarantee their accuracy and legal validity.

Here are the requirements for USCIS certified translation:

1. ● The translated document is accurate and consistent with the original format
2. ● A certificate of translation accuracy issued by a professional translation agency is included.
3. ● The translation is done by a qualified translator.
4. ● The certification statement includes the signature of the translator as well as the contact information of the translation agency.

Besides police checks, other documents such as personal documents, employment contracts, academic-related paperwork, and so on also need to be translated and legalized according to US laws.

Police Clearance Certificate Translation Services

Translation of those documents must be completely accurate and precisely formatted in consistency with the original so that the authority can verify their authenticity. Therefore, it is best to entrust your documents to a reputable translation agency.

If you are looking for a high-quality translation company for your paperwork, look no further than Thao & Co. We have extensive experience in providing top-notch translation services for over 50 languages.

By choosing our certified and notarized translation services, you can expect to receive the best quality and legally valid translations done by linguists with high expertise and complete dedication to client satisfaction.

1. ✅ 24-hour delivery for standard documents
2. ✅ Seasoned linguists with degrees in English linguistics and qualifications meeting USCIS standards.
3. ✅ Transparent working process and prompt quotation
4. ✅ Absolute information confidentiality via Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
5. ✅ Years of experience in handling visa applications, study abroad documents, and other immigration paperwork

Moreover, Thao & Co.’s proprietary platform allows for easy file management, convenient progress tracking, and complete security with no third-party involvement. Our unwavering commitment to improvement and professionalism has consistently garnered great trust from clients.

If you need certified translation for your police clearance certificate, please leave your information on our Get a Quote page and we will promptly assist!