I'm currently waiting for my police certificate to be sent to me but I'm thinking that it's going to take quite a bit longer than I originally thought. We sent it to the FBI ~July 5th and haven't heard anything. However, it's time sensitive and I need to get my application sent in ASAP. Is it okay to send my application without the police certificate and send in the police certificate at a later date?
Police Certificate, US Citizen for Common-Law Sponsorship
- Thread starter noahxhauck
- Start date
No, you need to send upfront. They require it now and if you send without the PCC you risk the application being returned to you unprocessed.
Why is it taking so long for you? Did you not submit the online PCC request to the FBI? Once they get your fingerprints in the mail, you get your PCC emailed to you, usually within 24-48 hours.
Why is it taking so long for you? Did you not submit the online PCC request to the FBI? Once they get your fingerprints in the mail, you get your PCC emailed to you, usually within 24-48 hours.
KBH
Champion Member
- Sep 13, 2017
- 763
- Category........
- FAM
- Visa Office......
- Mississauga
- App. Filed.......
- August 2nd, 2017
- AOR Received.
- September 22nd, 2017
- File Transfer...
- October 7th, 2017
- Passport Req..
- December 29th, 2017
- VISA ISSUED...
- January 23rd, 2018
- LANDED..........
- Feb 1st, 2018
People report paper requests taking a while, sometimes months. There is no way to know.
I'd advise applying for the PCC online, even though it's a duplicate request for you. You'll have your PCC very quickly that way. From the time I requested it, got my prints and mailed to the FBI (expedited shipping), and getting the PCC in my email was one week total.
KBH
Champion Member
- Sep 13, 2017
- 763
- Category........
- FAM
- Visa Office......
- Mississauga
- App. Filed.......
- August 2nd, 2017
- AOR Received.
- September 22nd, 2017
- File Transfer...
- October 7th, 2017
- Passport Req..
- December 29th, 2017
- VISA ISSUED...
- January 23rd, 2018
- LANDED..........
- Feb 1st, 2018
Agree with @mrs_december, if you applied via mail you can expect it to take like 4 months which obviously is not a good option for you. Re-do it the electronic way and you'll have it very quickly.
It is likely to be returned incomplete without the PCC.
Why do you need to get the app in ASAP?
I wasn't aware that online was an option. When I was going through my document checklist, it said that only way to get my police certificate was by mail. Where can I find more information about applying online?
This is the easiest process:
1. If you are still in the US, then you can inquire at your local police department for fingerprint services, or call your local FBI field office to make an appointment for prints. Prices vary based on who provides your prints. If you are in Canada, call your local Commissionaires office (https://www.commissionaires.ca/en/national/home?postal_cancel=1) and make an appointment to get your fingerprints done. Tell them it is for immigration purposes and that you need 2 copies of ink prints. The cost is roughly 60 CAD for the prints.
2. Go to the FBI's electronic records site here (https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/) and fill out a request for the police clearance. The cost is like 18 USD per request. You will receive email verification with a link and PIN number to access your request online. Do NOT delete this. You will need that link and PIN to access your completed PCC once done.
3. Once you submit this, it will put your request into the FBI system. At this point, you need to mail your fingerprints in to the FBI. The address is provided for you when you submit your request.
4. Once the FBI receives your fingerprints, you will receive a PDF of the PCC in your email which you print out and submit with your application. Their turnaround time is about 24 hours from the time they receive your prints in the mail.
1. If you are still in the US, then you can inquire at your local police department for fingerprint services, or call your local FBI field office to make an appointment for prints. Prices vary based on who provides your prints. If you are in Canada, call your local Commissionaires office (https://www.commissionaires.ca/en/national/home?postal_cancel=1) and make an appointment to get your fingerprints done. Tell them it is for immigration purposes and that you need 2 copies of ink prints. The cost is roughly 60 CAD for the prints.
2. Go to the FBI's electronic records site here (https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/) and fill out a request for the police clearance. The cost is like 18 USD per request. You will receive email verification with a link and PIN number to access your request online. Do NOT delete this. You will need that link and PIN to access your completed PCC once done.
3. Once you submit this, it will put your request into the FBI system. At this point, you need to mail your fingerprints in to the FBI. The address is provided for you when you submit your request.
4. Once the FBI receives your fingerprints, you will receive a PDF of the PCC in your email which you print out and submit with your application. Their turnaround time is about 24 hours from the time they receive your prints in the mail.