Fingerprinted like a criminal

[americaninoz]

lol - I called our local police station this morning (which is quite a big one too)
to ask if I could come in to be fingerprinted for my citizenship application police clearance

they said yes & I made an appointment to go in next week

but they said call 1/2 an hour before to make sure they don't have anyone in the holding cell - because if they do then we'll have to reschedule as the fingerprinting machine is in by the cells

lol! last time I had to pay 75 pounds in London to go to this fancy fingerprinting place that was approved by the embassy
this time I go in with the criminals to get printed

anyhow - just thought that was funny

I'm SO happy though that I called today & they said I can put in my applicaiton - like today- if I want to - and just send them the police clearance from the FBI whenever it comes back
YAY so glad I can get started on this process!!!

[wise_rita]

If the criminals are in a cell, why would you have to reschedule? Or is the fingerprinting done IN the cell?!

Do you need to get background clearances from the US and UK? Do you only have to do that for citizenship, not PR?

Just curious about the process.

[americaninoz]

The officer said 'it's in the same room' so you can't be fingerprinted while someone's in holding because they can't have civilians in there while someone's in the cell

I only have to get the USA clearance as it's only countries that you have been in for >90 days since activating your visa, instead of from when the visa was issued (you activate by entering the country). So although I GOT my visa in the UK, it wasn't active until I entered Australia, and I haven't been back to the UK since then (we stopped by Australia to see dh's family before we went travelling)

Dh has to get UK clearance though cause he first got a residency visa here as a child, and lived in the UK for many years, he doesn't need US though as they only count countries you were in since you were 18 (one less thing to do which is nice!!)

[wise_rita]

Gotcha.

Not confusing at ALL!

[americaninoz]

ha ha yea I know

thankfully Australia has a citizenship line where you can call and ask questions (for FREE!)

I called today to ask a few more questions & she was saying do you want me to check your eligibility or email you any links? I said ha - no - thanks but this is like my 5th call - I've done all that they are SO helpful
YAY Australia!

[clogged]

I had to be fingerprinted every year to be allowed to drive my daughter and her classmates on field trips. The first year, I walked into the police station and the officer whips on some latex gloves and said "This will be quick and painless". OMGWTF?!?!