Notarizing Your Police Clearance Certificate

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Police Clearance Necessity: Essential for immigration or work visas, often requires notarization for further certifications
• Notarization Process: Validates the originality and authenticity of the police clearance and the issuing official's signature
• NotaryLive Convenience: Offers easy online notarization for police clearances, ensuring quick and authentic verification

Do you need an official police clearance certificate for immigration, a work visa, or other purposes? 

If the FBI doesn't issue it, you'll likely need to get it notarized before you can further certify or apostille it. 

1. What is a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?

A police clearance certificate is an official document showing you don't have a criminal record. It serves as proof for immigration, employment, schools, and other situations that require background record checks. 

The U.S. Department of State uses a police clearance certificate as part of the background check before issuing a visa. 

2. Who needs a Police Clearance Certificate? 

If you're seeking a green card through family ties or applying for a K-1 visa, you need to provide a police clearance certificate from every country you've lived in previously. 

Even if you haven't been arrested, you still need to submit the certificate for every country where you've lived before. 

3. What are the requirements for a Police Certificate? 

If you're applying for an immigrant visa or a K-1 nonimmigrant visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, it's likely that you'll need to provide a police clearance certificate from each country where you've resided since you were 16 years of age. 

The certificate must include: 

• Country or nationality (lived for there at least 6 months)
• Country or residence (if different from nationality and for at least 6 months lived there)
• Any country (lived for 12 months and at least 16 years old)
• Any country (except U.S.) where you were arrested for any reason

Even if you're certain you've never been arrested, proceed to submit certificate. 

4. Why get a Police Clearance Certificate notarized? 

Before obtaining further certifications from the Secretary of State's office, individuals must notarize most U.S. police clearances. This is because: 

• It certifies the police clearance is an original document, not forged or copied.
• It verifies the signature of the official who issued the certificate.
• It meets the requirements for apostilles or certifications to use the certificate officially.

The United States Secretary of State generally refuses to endorse or apostille a police clearance unless a notary first notarizes it. FBI officials, who have already registered with the Secretary of State's office, do not need to obtain clearances.

5. What does the notarization process involve?

When obtaining a police clearance, the notarization does not involve the actual content. The notary certifies the signature on a sworn statement about the certificate. 

This affidavit confirms the police clearance is valid and issued to the correct person. By notarizing this signature, the notary certifies the entire document is authentic.

6. Why use a Power of Attorney for Police Clearance Certificate? 

It's good to have a power of attorney when submitting police clearance certificate. Especially for special reasons – its usualy when: 

• Applying from Abroad
  • If you're not in country needing the PCC), a POA lets you nominate a representative to apply on your behalf.
  • The representative (usually a relative, friend or legal professional) handles the process locally)
  • The POA may need certification in your home country and where the PCC (police clearance certificate needed).
• Requirements for POA for PCC
  • Prepare an original POA and a copy
  • Attach a passport-sized photo to the last page
  • Keep the original separate
  • Schedule appointment for submitting application through embassy or consulates online system if needed.

Remember – check the requirements as they vary by country. 

7. Requirements for US Police Clearance Certificate Notarization

To get a police clearance notarized:

• Use the original certificate, not a photocopy.
• Your ID must match the name on the certificate.
• A notary public must witness your signature on the affidavit and seal/sign it.
• There's usually a small notary fee.
• The Secretary of State can then further certify the notarized version.

8. Use NotaryLive For Your Notarization

At NotaryLive, our notaries can quickly notarize your police clearance certificate. With online notarization, we easily get documents notarized from wherever, whenever.

Our notaries are ready when you need us. 

Here's how NotaryLive works in 4 simple steps: 

Click the button below to get started,

 Notarize Now! 

 FAQ For Police Clearance Certificate 

• Can I get a police clearance certificate from local police?
  • Yes. You can obtain a police clearance certificate from local police. If you need one from the U.S., contact the local police station in the area where you lived. The application process may take a few weeks before you receive the document.  
• How long is the USA Police Clearance Certificate valid for? 
  • Your police clearance certificate remains valid for one year from the date of issuance.

**Legal Disclaimer - We are not lawyers or attorneys and do not give any legal advice. Please check with your attorneys, advisors, or document recipients if you have any unanswered questions about your documents.

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