State PCC

[shabegger]

I've heard two things regarding police clearances from individual states in the United States. One is that these are required (CIC web page, etc.), the other is that they are potentially required but rarely asked for. So, I would like to ask . . . Is there anyone who . . .

- has lived in the United States for more than six months
- has reached the application stage where documentation is requested
- can tell me if State PCC forms are or are not requested?

- and out of curiosity, tell me if you are or are not applying in Buffalo.

Thanks folks, I appreciate any information.

 

[canadacanada]

@sgabegger,

If I understand your posting right-- You are looking for info on PCC, like whats needed and what not. Info on CIC is much more then enough.Trust me I just followed it 100% and got all the PCC's from all the states I lived..total of 3+1 from FBI. The only thing is you better call the each states proper agency if things are not clear for you..most of them require you to send finger prints..so my best advice get the fingerprint cards then only difficult part. so call the FBI phone no# listed in website ( when you get to the proper site) or go to local office and make sure you get some extra as well.
About when to send these PCC -- when you get initial approval from NS , after that you have 120 days to send all the docs ( transcripts,bank statements...) which also includes PCC.
Yes, I will be sending these to BUffalo when I get to that stage on my process of application.

Hope you got all you needed.

 

[shabegger]

Yes, I'm aware of this requirement as described by CIC. However, I've been given to understand by my lawyer's office that practically, only the FBI clearance is necessary. Since I'm American and have lived in 6 different states in the past, and am living abroad right now, getting all of these clearances is going to be expensive and a logistical nightmare. That's why I'm curious to hear of the experiences of people who are farther along in the process than I am. Specifically -- for those who have already been asked to submit documents -- were you asked for State police clearances?

Thanks for any info . . .

 

[PMM]

Hi

Yes, I'm aware of this requirement as described by CIC. However, I've been given to understand by my lawyer's office that practically, only the FBI clearance is necessary. Since I'm American and have lived in 6 different states in the past, and am living abroad right now, getting all of these clearances is going to be expensive and a logistical nightmare. That's why I'm curious to hear of the experiences of people who are farther along in the process than I am. Specifically -- for those who have already been asked to submit documents -- were you asked for State police clearances?

Thanks for any info . . .

1. Who do you believe? What your lawyer says or what CIC states in their website and in the Guidlines.
2. Your decision, if your application is refused because it is complete will your lawyer refund the money?

PMM

 

[shabegger]

What's the point of arguing about what I believe? I simply asked if anyone, who has lived in the United States for 6 months or more and has reached the stage of submitting documents, has been asked for state Police Certificates. I'm curious. Is it necessary to justify that?

So, if anyone is in that situation, I'm curious to know. If you're not, or if you want to argue about the abstract necessity of things, then start another thread.

 

[canadacanada]

Well, I think what CIC says stand not what the lawyer said. Your lawyer will simply say, " I am sorry". NOw its what you want which matter. You have 120+- some days. I know its difficult but its do-able even if you are outside US.
It is said clearly that you need FBI and State ( and all US ) PCC where you have lived more then 6 months even if someone who is in the same situation replies your post or not. This is final.

and I wish you good luck to find some one who is on the same situation. And I also encourage and request some one to post here if theirs exp is same as yours.

 

[NewYorker]

What's the point of arguing about what I believe? I simply asked if anyone, who has lived in the United States for 6 months or more and has reached the stage of submitting documents, has been asked for state Police Certificates. I'm curious. Is it necessary to justify that?

So, if anyone is in that situation, I'm curious to know. If you're not, or if you want to argue about the abstract necessity of things, then start another thread.

I agree with PMM,

You need the PCC from each state or your file will be rejected. It may look rude reply to you but this is the fact. and for your curiosity, Yes they (CIC) ask for it down the road.

Thanks,

 

[shabegger]

New Yorker, thank you for your comment. Is this based on your experience? I'm simply trying to find out what communication people with American experience have received from CIC -- it's not necessary to tell me to do what they say, or give me advice. I'm simply interested in the experience of people who have lived in the U.S. and received an AOR.

Thanks for your help.

 

[NewYorker]

Yes it is my personal experience. They have changed the old rules back in February of 2009. State PCC is MUST now.

 

[shabegger]

Thanks, man. Sorry to get snippy.

 

[spa]

I'm in the US now. I included FBI clearance and clearances from every country and state where I lived for more than 6 month. When I started to gather my documents I was thinking to get only FBI but then I saw rules on their website saying that I needed from every state. Also I talked to the lawyer back in 2008, he told me that I needed to get clearances from every state. He seems to be a pretty good lawyer. Make sure that your lawyer is approved by the immigration.

 

[canadacanada]

@XXXXXX

OR
keep getting snippy.....just kidding

Its in your best interest just to follow CIC website instruction. Its hard to find someone in the same situation such as yours. I do really want you not to fall for your lawyer and that why i am keeping track of the responses here...trying to reserve my place in heaven my friend.



quote author=spa link=topic=23052.msg122604#msg122604 date=1249180990]
I'm in the US now. I included FBI clearance and clearances from every country and state where I lived for more than 6 month. When I started to gather my documents I was thinking to get only FBI but then I saw rules on their website saying that I needed from every state. Also I talked to the lawyer back in 2008, he told me that I needed to get clearances from every state. He seems to be a pretty good lawyer. Make sure that your lawyer is approved by the immigration.
[/quote]

 

[shabegger]

I do agree with what everyone here says -- might as well do it, if the application's not complete, then why waste my time? If anyone else is in a similar situation to myself, the answer is this:

- U.S. embassies abroad have departments of citizen services that can either fingerprint you, or provide
forms in person, or by mail

- after having yourself fingerprinted, it's just a matter of getting any number of money orders and sending the forms in

- each state has its own requirements. Some are easy, some are awful (thank you, North Carolina)

- the FBI web site says that you can use any fingerprint form, but I don't know if each state would accept one that is in a non-Latin alphabet

 

[jes_ON]

Shabegger, the "confusion" stems from the recent change in rules, and I think there are some webpages that have not yet been updated... Now you MUST have PCCs from each State. (I'm told this is because the FBI does not have legal access to State databases, altho states can access the FBI's...)

I am a US citizen, have lived abroad and currently live in Canada, which is (these days) considered "abroad." (How times have changed...).

US Embassies represent the federal government, they may be able to assist with information or the FBI check, but not the states. MAY do fingerprints, may have FBI fingerprint cards, DEPENDS where you are and which Embassy is in your jurisdiction. They all have websites...

Yes, it is a royal PITA - expensive, time-consuming, and made all the worse if you live outside the US.

I had to do 7, some accepted personal checks (I still have a US bank account), some required USD money orders (expensive) - I had to make myself a tracking form to keep everything straight , some required fingerprints, some on the FBI card, some on their own that you have to order in advance - YIKES.

State fingerprint requirements are more strict than the FBI, I have not seen one that accepted anything but their own form or the FBI's. For most, you have to order the card from them, increasing processing time. Note that the info on the FBI site applies ONLY to the FBI check, has nothing to do with the states.

NC LOOKs awful, but it actually turned out to be the easiest because: they provide an email address and will respond to requests via email... Of the 7 states, NC was the ONLY one I could communicate with by email, so to me that makes them the best. And, once I sent the fingerprint card, it was processed immediately - was the fastest But it WAS a pain because of the strict process for taking fingerprints (my fingerprinter was just rolling her eyes...)

 

[shabegger]

Jes-ON, thank you for your extremely useful reply. I am very grateful for your warning about checking which fingerprint form to use before sending it in.

Do you have any experience with any of the following states?

- New York
- Vermont (as far as I can tell they don't require fingerprints)
- California
- Connecticut

For me the icing on the cake is that I lived for 4 years in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (North of what? North of Guam.) Thinking about this one gives me hives.