Police Clearance Letter for Residency
Perhaps the most enigmatic requirement for obtaining residency is the “police letter”. This is because the United States is actually a collection of 50 states, and each state has its own special form of bureaucracy.
The basic requirement is that the records check should be based on both legal name and fingerprints. When checking government services look for terms like police clearance, fingerprints, and criminal justice records. Many states require the same sort of records check for teachers and child care workers. An Internet search based on similar terms can be helpful.
The clearance letter along with birth certificate must be certified by the Secretary of State, Costa Rica Embassy and finally the Ministry of Exterior Relations in Costa Rica.
All documents must be submitted to immigration within 90 days of issue as part of the Residency Application.
Acceptable Document
While the state or local police might be able to take fingerprints and perform a criminal records check the resulting documentation may not be acceptable for a residency application. The clearance letter will need to be certified by the Secretary of State, which is not possible unless the signature and name appearing on the letter is known officially to the secretary.
Typically local government officials and low level government employees are not recognized, however each state is different, and contacting the Secretary of State in advance of receiving the background check can save time and money
A good example is that in the State of Maryland the police can take fingerprints, however the actual record check is sent to the Criminal Justice Information Center, which also issues the clearance letter directly. The signature and name on the letter is the official appointed to supervise the agency, and subsequently is known to the Secretary of State.
Already Living in Costa Rica?
The local police in Costa Rica can take fingerprints, which can be sent to the appropriate state records agency in the United States. There are some technicalities to work out.
- Will the local agency accept the Costa Rican police card or is a particular card required from that state?
- Will the state agency mail the letter internationally or is a local address in the United States required?
- What methods of payment are acceptable?
The place to get your fingerprints done in Costa Rica is Records Office of the Ministry of Public Security, which is located in the old national police school on the south side of San Jose. This is also the same place where fingerprints are taken for the Interpol Check of residency application.
Did You Enjoy This Article? Subscribe by Email to Updates
Filed Under: Expat Living
Hi,
Regarding the police clearance letter, does Costa Rica require a clear criminal background for residency? Surely there has to be some exceptions. I got a couple of misdemeanors in college, football days hanging out with the wrong crowd. Would this make me ineligible for residency? And upon looking at residency requirements for other Latin American countries, the request for background information seems to be the norm. Do you know more details as to what is deemed acceptable for residency and what isn't? For example does someone with a sex offense, bank robbery, or serious felony get automatically excluded but someone with a DWI or writing a hot check can still be considered?
Thank you!
My understanding of this letter is that immigration wants to be sure you are not currently wanted for prosecution. People have told me that they were briefly questioned for prior convictions at the time of their application, but I have never met anyone who was denied.
It is i’m looking for. And this My spouse and i mention when high-quality. The data made available right here would be to the top. I have to say you should have used your time and effort for making most of these contented along. They’re associated with your theme. I most certainly will highly recommend these to be able to anyone and then to every one solitary item of my best buddies. I’ll return back here to check out the number of work. Appreciation for making this transpire.