US Certificate of Good Conduct

Whether you are immigrating from the US (or after spending a period of time in the US) to a different country, or immigrating to the United States after having previously visited \ lived there, you will have to undergo a background check. When immigrating to the US, you may submit your fingerprints at the embassy \ consulate, and your data will be processed by the US citizenship and immigration service. If you are immigrating elsewhere, however, the responsibility to obtain a US Certificate of Good Conduct – provide your fingerprints, taken by an expert, and submit them to the FBI database for an Identity History Summary check – lies with you.

In this article, Attorney Joshua Pex will explain how to obtain fingerprint scans for an FBI Criminal Record Check in Israel. If you are travelling in the other direction, and looking for more relevant information regarding criminal background checks, Attorney Michael Decker has written about sending an Israeli police clearance certificate abroad.

Which Visas Required a Criminal Record Check?

Even with the advent of the new ETA-Il system that provides greater background checks before you enter Israel, not every visit or Israeli visa require you to produce a police certificate. You obviously require a criminal record check if you want to permanently immigrate to Israel, and Aliyah with a criminal record can be complicated. In addition to immigration, several types of Israeli visa will require a US Certificate of Good Conduct during the application. This can include the :

• B/1 Work Visa which allows citizens of foreign countries to work legally in Israel
• A/5 visa: temporary residency visa – a temporary residency permit which allows foreigners to live, work, and study in Israel
• A/2 Student Visa a student visa granted for up to one year, allowing students to enter and exit the country as they wish during that time
• Permanent residency – for immigrants or residents who cannot or do not wish to become Israeli citizens. This status is often acquired by spouses of Israelis from countries that do not allow dual citizenship, and who to not wish to surrender their current citizenship.

WHY ARE FINGERPRINTS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN AN INTEGRITY CERTIFICATE?

Each state in the US has it’s own police system, and information about criminal records is not always shared between different states. As a result, the closest public document to a US Certificate of Good Conduct, as it is known in Israel, or a “Police Certificate”, as it is known elsewhere, is the FBI Identity History Summary/Rap Sheet. This document establishes the applicant’s recorded criminal history in the US (or lack thereof) according to the FBI, which is a government body that deals with serious crimes at the federal level. If you have a criminal background, information such as your court case, date of arrest, charge, and outcome of the arrest will be included in the report. Submitted fingerprints are also compared with those of known terrorists or international criminals, even if they have never been arrested in the United States.

If you are getting a fingerprint check in America, you can complete a request online or through the mail. Mail applications will take up to 20 days to be processed, while online applications can take within 48 hours. For more information about the fingerprint checks, refer to this official government website.

HOW DO YOU TAKE FINGERPRINTS FOR AN FBI CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK IN ISRAEL?

Israelis who wish to immigrate to the US are expected to provide their fingerprints for an FBI criminal record. Most Israelis assume they would have to contact US authorities to submit fingerprints. After all, who knows exactly which experts in Israel are professionals who are recognized as competent by the FBI?

Our offices work with fingerprint taking experts who have proven experience working with the FBI and immigration authorities in several countries over more than a decade. Contacting an expert allows you to quickly and professionally have your fingerprints taken at your home or at our offices in central Israel.

The processing time from the moment the fingerprints are taken is usually 6-8 weeks.

WHAT ABOUT LOCAL POLICE CHECKS?

If you previously lived or currently live in America, you can get in touch with your local police department and request a criminal records search, demonstrating that your criminal background or lack thereof. One should be aware that their local police station may require them to arrive in-person, which may not be an optimal possibility for Americans living in Israel. Additionally, having a local police check is generally not sufficient for many immigration authorities, as the governing bodies may expect individuals to obtain background checks at the federal level, through the FBI.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO IMMIGRATE TO ISRAEL BUT HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD IN THE US?

Israeli immigration authorities such as the Ministry of the Interior, Police, and Intelligence sources weigh the security of Israeli citizens against the applicant’s right to enter and reside in Israel. The Decker, Pex, Levi law firm specializes in helping clients enter Israeli and make Aliyah with a criminal record. For more information regarding Aliyah with a criminal record, refer to this article written by Attorney Joshua Pex. It is important to remember that even if the FBI record contains previous convictions, it may not result in the denial of your application.

The same applies to Israeli citizens who wish to travel to the US, depending on the severity of the offense and reason for entering the US. Our attorneys may be able to help you apply for a waiver of inadmissibility, allowing you to work or live in the United States.

CONTACT:

Our office specializes in immigration to Israel and the United States. Israeli and US citizens can contact us for help with receiving an FBI Criminal Record Check.

 :  :

03-3724722

055-9781688

office@lawoffice.org.il