Japanese Criminal Record Certificate - Open or Not Open?

[MisterBob]

Hello guys,

My common-law just received her Japanese criminal record certificate and she told me it says we should not open it or else it will not be official anymore.

I know that if we send the original copy to CIC, we will need to wait 2 months again to request for another police certificate if CIC asks us to resend our package.

Just wondering if we should be sending in the original, un-opened Japanese criminal record certificate?

Thanks guys,

 

[parker24]

Hello guys,

My common-law just received her Japanese criminal record certificate and she told me it says we should not open it or else it will not be official anymore.

I know that if we send the original copy to CIC, we will need to wait 2 months again to request for another police certificate if CIC asks us to resend our package.

Just wondering if we should be sending in the original, un-opened Japanese criminal record certificate?

Thanks guys,

It needs to be opened. Why? Because LEGALLY CIC cannot open someone else's mail, so if you send it un-opened, you will pretty much be dangling it in front of them but they are not able to open it..

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hey Bob

When she requested the certificate, did she send the "letter of request from the Canadian visa office" along with it? That letter gives authorization to CIC to open the certificate as the requesting authority. If you open it, it will be invalidated.

See the Japanese embassy page here http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/canada_e/Visa/police_certificate.html


As well, a police certificate MUST ALWAYS BE THE ORIGINAL. Photocopies of a police certificate are useless.

Why do you think CIC will ask you to resend your package? As long as you follow the guides and the checklists, you'll be fine

 

[MisterBob]

Thanks for everyones replies.

How can we proceed to allow them to open it?
Can someone guide us for the specific steps to take for this? We really want to send our application in soon!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I haven't applied for a Japanese certificate myself, so I am going by the info on the CIC website and the Japanese embassy site. From what they state, I believe that by including that request letter, Japan would issue the certificate with something (a letter or maybe just saying on the envelope itself) that says it has been issued at the request of CIC, which gives CIC the authority to open it.

Did she include the request letter when she applied for it?

 

[MisterBob]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/japan_police_certif.pdf

This is what she received...im thinking that gives CIC authorization to open it?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Yes, that's what it will be, send it off

 

[MisterBob]

You made us worried!! ...are you from vancouver?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Lol, how did I make you worried? I said it could be on the envelope and it was on the envelope

I'm from Vancouver Island

 

[AnaMaria]

You need to send it as unopened. It was not addressed to you, addressed to Canadian authority! It clearly says it will be invalid once opened (by non authorized).