[suebeenz]

Hi everyone,

First time caller, long time listener. Great forum! People in here seem very helpful and friendly - really nice community here.

My first questions are about Canadian police checks. But first a quick backgrounder.

I'm already in NZ on a partnership visa, and to get that a police check was required. Since I was out of country at the time, I asked my Dad to go to RCMP to see if he could find out how. $45 and a week later, I had a piece of paper that said I was not a crook, and i submitted it with all the other partnership visa docs. Two weeks later, the visa/permit was approved.

Now I'm applying for PR, and I see on NZ immi website suggested steps for getting criminal record check done for canada. The info eventually leads me to having to get fingerprints done, and sending them ( and 25 bones) to Ottawa.

So my question (finally!), has anyone here had criminal record checks done for Canada? Did you have to get fingerprinted to do so? I called RCMP and they said finger print criminal record checks take !120! days to process - did yours take that long? I'm wondering since the "Send us a photocopy of your passport and fill out this form" criminal record check seemed sufficient for partnership visa, if I should try that for PR since it took weeks, not half a year.

Thanks in advance.

Sue

ps: i've already sent off my finger prints for the website suggested record check, but don't know if I can wait 120 days

[suebeenz]

So my question (finally!), has anyone here had criminal record checks done for Canada? Did you have to get fingerprinted to do so? I called RCMP and they said finger print criminal record checks take !120! days to process - did yours take that long? I'm wondering since the "Send us a photocopy of your passport and fill out this form" criminal record check seemed sufficient for partnership visa, if I should try that for PR since it took weeks, not half a year.


So just for any other Canada dwellers, I've heard from another that for her case, they did accept the 'name [criminal]check' from the police. Just have to sign a form saying you authorize the check, and send in proof of your identity etc. Call a smalltown RCMP to get the details. I think last time I did one, it took a couple weeks. However, for those reading, I do recommend checking with your officer and see what they'll accept as I'm sure it can vary depending on who you get. Since I don't yet have an officer, I'm just going to try both routes, and see if they'll accept it, as having to wait 120 days is ridiculous. Next up, 3rd world country police checks. Ugh.

[suebeenz]

Just fyi to people, I mailed my fingerprints, via NZ mail, for US criminal record check. Today I got the results, less than a month later. Pretty quick! I did write on the outside of the envelope 'Rush request', but they had another month before my written 'deadline'. Way to go FBI! :nice1

Unfortunately, still waiting for RCMP from Canada. Because the fingerprint/criminal record check may take too long (supposedly 120 days), I tried getting a name-check done for Canada in lieu of the criminal-check. That requires the local police here to sign off that they've confirmed my identity. I had that done in the US no problem before, but the NZ police sergeant I spoke to, refused to sign anything confirming my identity. He said "Anyone can fake a passport. I don't know that's you!" The same argument held true for driver's license, birth certificates, visas etc etc.. So, because of that, I can't get the namecheck done. Perhaps I can catch him again when he's having a better day? :)

So in the meantime ... hoping that full criminal record check comes in sometime before the 4 month deadline.

[jonSE]

Sue

I'ld try again when someone different is on duty.

I thought I was about to read about your hippy years as a member of CND (campaign for nuclear disarment) and being arrested at Greenham Common - focal point for CND protests in the UK.

Isn't Canada abbreviated to CDN?

[suebeenz]

Sue

I'ld try again when someone different is on duty.

I thought I was about to read about your hippy years as a member of CND (campaign for nuclear disarment) and being arrested at Greenham Common - focal point for CND protests in the UK.

Isn't Canada abbreviated to CDN?

:D Too funny Jon! Yes I believe you're correct. (and yes, I'll try again some other day) Thanks for the good laugh :)