If you want to work, study, or immigrate to other countries, you must provide a valid police clearance certificate in Michigan. The police certificate will prove that you have no criminal record and that you do no harm to people. In this article, we will show you a complete guide on how to obtain a police clearance certificate online in Michigan.
What Is a Police Clearance Certificate in Michigan?
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), known as a criminal background check or police record in Michigan, is a document proving that the applicant has no criminal record with the involvement of the Michigan Police Force. You must have it when you submit your visa application.
Who Is Eligible to Get a PCC?
If you want to apply for police certificates and clearances in Michigan, citizens and foreigners must have resided in Michigan for more than six months and they must be 16 years of age. So you need to provide documentary proof of residence staying in Michigan.
When Do I Need a PCC?
When you apply for a visa to visit, work, or live in other countries, you need a police clearance certificate to prove that you have a clear criminal record. If you want to apply for a permanent residence permit in Michigan, you also need to offer a PCC. It will not be accepted to process your police certificate when applicants have any other purposes.
Documents Required for Police Clearance Certificate Application
Before applying for an American police clearance certificate, you must prepare some required documents. Here are the requirements you need to submit.
If you are a U.S. citizen
- A completed PCC application form
- 2 Fingerprint Sets (Michigan Applicant Fingerprint Card RI-008)
- Application fee
- Two US passport-size photos (2×2 inch)
- Certified copy of the applicant’s Michigan Civil Identification Card
- A letter explaining why you need a police clearance certificate.
💡 If you want to make US passport photos for free, you may check this article to learn how to take and resize any picture to 2×2 inch US passport-sized pictures.
If you are a foreigner
- A completed PCC form
- A letter explaining why you need a police clearance certificate.
- Two passport-size photographs (4×6 cm)
- Application fee
- A set of fingerprints of the applicant (ten prints).
- A detailed letter stating the period of stay in Michigan
- Proof of address, such as driver’s license, utility bills, or Certified copy of the applicant’s Michigan Civil Identification Card (if applicable)
- A photocopy of a colored passport (original passport as well) containing Michigan visa data pages and entry and exit stamps.
If you don’t know what exact documents you need to prepare, you can call the MSP to get the list of requirements.
How to Get a Police Clearance Certificate in Michigan
Once you have prepared all the necessary documents, you can submit the application to obtain the certificate. Here you can follow the steps below:
- You must complete the fingerprint card by visiting the nearest police station or embassy or from a local law enforcement agency or a private provider authorized by the Michigan State Police (MSP). You must go through all ten fingerprints through the private or government live scan vendors.
- You must then complete the application form from the MSP website or by contacting the MSP Criminal Justice Information Centre. You are required to enter your name, address, and other basic information.
- You need to pay for the application fee.
- You can submit the application form, fingerprint card, and required fee to the MSP Criminal Justice Information Center by mail: Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center – Criminal History, PO Box 30266, Lansing, Michigan 48909.
- The MSP will process the application for you by searching the fingerprint on the ICHAT portal. If there is no criminal record, you will receive a PCC stating that there is no record on file.
If you want to obtain criminal history for the expungements, name change, or adoption, you need to take a few more steps.
How Much Does a Police Clearance Certificate Cost?
The police clearance certificate may cost you about $30. However, if you choose an express service or a change of name, you will need to pay more. For example, you can pay $43.25 if you file a petition to change your name in court.
How Long Will I Get the Copy of Police Clearance Certificate?
After you have submitted the application, it may take you about 3-5 weeks to process your PCC application and receive Michigan criminal history research. However, the process can take up to 4 months if you have ever been charged by the police.
How Long Is Michigan PCC Valid?
Usually, police clearance certificates are valid for two years. You must use it within the validity period. If you need the Michigan PCC after 2 years at the time of your visa interview, you’ll be required to obtain an updated version before your application.
How Can I Fix Mistakes or Errors on PCC?
If there is some incorrect information on your police clearance certificate, you need to find some way to fix the record. For example, criminal charges have been dropped but the incident or arrest is still shown on the record, or a crime is reported on the wrong person’s record because of a similar name.
To avoid inaccurate information on your record, you need to determine whether the agency or department is responsible for improper information. If yes, you need to call the responsible agency or make an appointment to correct your criminal record with the Michigan State Police. You can also obtain a copy of your file from the police or court to uncover the error with a Freedom of Information Act request. Or you can fax it to the Criminal Justice Information Centre to advise of discrepancies and resolve incorrect data entries.
Conclusion
All in all, it is important for you to prepare all the necessary documents to submit the police clearance certificate application, such as a fingerprint card and application fee. If there are any errors in your criminal record, you must correct them in time to avoid unnecessary trouble.