Police Records
Which Applicants Need to Submit a Police Certificate
Each applicant aged 16 years or older must submit police certificates to the U.S. Embassy
8/27/13 Instructions for Selectees: Civil Documents
www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_4760.html 4/5
or Consulate at your interview.
What Does the Applicant Submit
The applicant must submit police certificates that meet the following guidelines. The police
certificate must:
Cover the entire period of the applicant's residence in that area.
Be issued by the appropriate police authority.
Include all arrests, the reason for the arrest(s), and the disposition of each case of
which there is a record.
How to obtain a police certificate
1. Determine from which countries an applicant is required to obtain police certificates.
The table below will assist in determining from where an applicant must obtain
police certificates.
Note: Present and former residents of the United States should NOT obtain any
police certificates covering their residence in the U.S.
2. Contact the appropriate police authorities. Selecting the appropriate country from
the Reciprocity by Country page will provide you with additional information on how
to obtain a police certificate.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT POLICE CERTIFICATES: The Reciprocity by Country pages
will indicate if a country's police authorities require the submission of a specific Police
Certificate Request form. Some countries may require the submission of specific Police
Certificate Request forms in order to properly request and obtain the applicable Police
Certificate(s).
Note: Police certificates from certain countries are unavailable. More specific information is
available online on our Reciprocity by Country webpage.
When the Applicant Needs a Police Certificate
IF the applicant… AND…
THEN the applicant