Police certificate from Russia

[barabashka_]

Hello friends,
I got a letter with request for police certificates from Israel and Russia. Israeli one is pretty straight forward, but I am not sure about russian one. How to obtain one if I reside in Canada?...and I have not been in Russia for so many years (I didnt think I actually would need a certificate from there since I didnt spend there 6 months after I turned 18!).
Thanks!

 

[FTICS]

Please go to the Russian embassy near to u/ country

 

[barabashka_]

Thanks FTICS,
As there are holidays until Jan 11 now in all the consulates, I thought there may be could be a way that someone in russia (I still have some family there) would obtain it for me directly there and send me. In this case i think I can get it earler (CIC gave me 60 days to obtain certificates, from which 8 days gone to get the letter and now other 3 weeks will be gone on holidays...).
In addition, there is no russian consulate in Vancouver, so I will have to go to Toronto for that (!), or may be to Seattle (but still, after Jan 11 which is too close to the deadline).

 

[FTICS]

if u cannot provide the police report in the deadline then write a explanation stating that ( sufficient reasons)
u will provide it later.
but note that it will work less

 

[Karlshammar]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/europe/russia.asp

 

[barabashka_]

Thanks friends.
I probably should inform them now that it is going to be delayed...no way I can obtain the certificates and have them be in CIC in Buffalo before Feb 13 (deadline), since due to the holidays i cannot start the process before January 11. And, it looks like I have to travel to Ottawa or Toronto for that...how nice....

 

[Karlshammar]

Did you check this from the link I just gave you: http://www.mvd.ru/struct/3441/ ?

 

[barabashka_]

Hi Karlshammar,
Thank you. Unfortunately, despite what is written in english there, once you open it and read the russian text, it indicates that this link only provides information for people that are currently in Russia, where to obtain the police certificate in Russia and what documents to bring for that.

From my search online I realize there are 2 ways (if anyone knows other ways please let me know):

1. To arrive physically to russian consulate in Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal and to apply via consulate for police certificate. This takes about 6 months!!!! (My goodness...)

2. To write a letter that would certify a friend/relative in Russia to obtain the police certificate for me. However, now funny stuff is coming - Russian police will not accept this letter unless it is legalized by either Apostille (not possible in Canada) or by Russian consulate. Once the legalized letter is in hands of my relative/friend in Russia, it takes about a month to obtain the certificate. This option is shorter, but requires a trip to Consulate as well for legalization of the letter.

It is pity my lawyer did not advise me about the option of them asking for Russian police certificate, since I could obtain it during these 11 months I am waiting for a reply from CIC...On the other hand, I DID NOT spend in Russia 6 months after becoming 18, so theoretically he assumed correctly (well, incorrectly...) that they would not ask for that...

Unfortunately during this holidays period there is no one to talk to not in consulates, not in the lawyer's office.
And my job application was recently rejected due to me not having permanent residence yet.
What a great Christmas...

 

[Karlshammar]

Are you sure that you need to go there in person to legalize the permission for someone else to do it for you? I believe many countries will allow you to do this via mail.

The U.S.A. does apostilles. Have you looked into the possibility of getting an apostille from there?

 

[barabashka_]

Well...not sure yet, but I am learning online that may be I can legalize the permission using Red Seal Notary (http://www.redsealnotary.com/authentication-canada/legalization-canada/apostille-canada/authentication-legalization-apostille-canada.html).
Its 150 plus 50 for making it urgent plus all the fees related to consulate, notary and delivery - but who cares...I want my PR!!!! (if its possible via them it is still cheaper (and hopefully faster) than flying to consulate myself).

Unfortunately, questions will remain questions at least until the end of holidays.
At least I got an appointment with my lawyer in between the holidays (Dec 29, so hopefully I will get some instructions).

I hate when things dont go as I plan them...hate it!!!

As to USA - I looked at it. (In addition, Seattle is just 2-3 hours drive from Vancouver and they have russian consulate). If going through russian consulate in US while I am residing in Canada is legally possible (question to my consultant I suppose), I will do it. I am not sure its possible, since on CIC website they indicate that I should go through russian consulate in the country of residence.

To go there to Seattle to get an apostille there on the permission, and send it as it is without going trough consulate...Hm…sounds like a good idea, thanks!
I will make sure its legally all alright with the lawyer during the meeting on Dec 29 and will proceed with this if possible.

Many thanks!

 

[Karlshammar]

I'm not sure it's possible to do it through the consulate in the U.S.A. when you are resident in Vancouver, but perhaps possible to get an apostille in the U.S.A. instead of going through the legalization process in Canada.

Red Seal only does the paperwork for you, and don't do anything you can't do yourself. Plus, how can one trust a company that has this typo:

"Red Seal Notary's fees for providing authentication and legalization services are set out blow:"

on their webpage?

 

[kisunja]

barabashka,
did you have a police cert from Russia issued before?
If you have one and have not been to Russia since its issuance, I suggest that you sent it with an explanation: haven't been there, could not commit any crime, new certificate in on its way (or something like that)

 

[barabashka_]

To Karlshammar:
Well...I will look into obtaining apostille in US or legalization in Canada - which one would be easier and faster according to the consultant (and according to what part of legalization process he can take on himself, as he is a notary and attorney himself).
And you are right, they propose things that I can theoretically do myself - the problem is time. It will take me longer time, since I am less familiar with the process than they are.

To kisunja:
I never had any police certificate from Russia...I was minor when documents for my first immigration were collected. I was 18, though, when I immigrated and thats probably why they want a certificate.
And...I did spend in Russia couple weeks about 7 years ago as a tourist (I have no Russian citizenship), so I cant claim I have never been there since immigration.
Thanks for your input though, it could work would I have some kind of certificate from them before!

 

[Karlshammar]

An apostille is always faster than a legalization; it's basically half of a legalization. The question is if the Russian embassy/consulate in Canada will accept an apostille from the U.S.A. I would contact them to find out.

I don't think an organization will be faster. It's basically as simple as sending it to the right person and getting a stamp on the paper. Not much mystery to it.

 

[barabashka_]

An apostille is always faster than a legalization; it's basically half of a legalization. The question is if the Russian embassy/consulate in Canada will accept an apostille from the U.S.A. I would contact them to find out.

I don't think an organization will be faster. It's basically as simple as sending it to the right person and getting a stamp on the paper. Not much mystery to it.

hm...I was thinking about getting an apostille on the permission letter for my relative to get a certificate from police in russia...so, its russian police should accept US apostille, not Russian consulate in canada. If I go this route - it is between Russian police and CIC, Russian consulate is not going to be involved...