I hope I'm submitting this topic in the right category.

I will be flying back to Thailand soon with a tourist visa. Later this month, I will be going to Vientiane to change my visa to a non immigrant "B" visa. I read that one of the documents required is a police back ground check from my home country (Hawaii, USA) can anyone tell me how would I obtain a police background check form my home country. Also, would anyone know if the Thai embassy is really strict on submitting my original TEFL certificate or copies of my TEFL certificate is sufficient as I've seemed to misplaced my original TEFL certificate. Also, I think I need to get a background check for here in Thailand too as I resided in Thailand for almost 10 years now.

Thanks in advance 

for the u.s. police report you need to contact your local police dept. and ask them where to get it done. 

Vientiane does not require a police clearance from your home country. They will accept one for Thailand.

Vientiane's requirement does not specifically state a TEFl certificate is needed and I do not recall them wanting the original.

See: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/upload/pdf/Visa/Non-B teacher.pdf

The US Embassy has the fingerprint forms if you want to have them done somewhere and then sent to the FBI stateside.

For a job I got in Africa back in '12, where I needed a police clearance, I opted for getting a police check done at the Royal Thai police headquarters here where I have been living since '96.

Much easier and more painless IMHO.

If you need a background check from Hawaii then go here:  

 

https://ag.hawaii.gov/hcjdc/criminal-history-records-check/

 

Just mail them 30 dollars and they’ll send you one in a few days. Easy, I had to do this to get my O-A visa from the Thai embassy in D.C.

Anyone know how to do one in Australia ?

downloadable fingerprint cards:

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/fingerprint-cards/

To the OP

 

If you use the link I posted above (State of Hawaii A.G's office), fingerprint cards or fingerprinting is not necessary, just your name and DOB. 

 

Your results can be e-mailed to you or sent via snail mail (I don't believe that Thai government agencies will accept the e-mailed version, it must be certified, signed and stamped on an official department letterhead).

 

If you are still in Hawaii, this is the way to go.  If already in Thailand, you can order it online and then have it mailed to a friend in Hawaii who can then forward it to you.  Better to have it than not (just in case somebody asks for it).  Good luck.

21 hours ago, rodknock said:

for the u.s. police report you need to contact your local police dept. and ask them where to get it done. 

Thanks for the response. Ubonjoe mentioned the Thai consulate in Vientiane not requiring a police background check from my home country so Ill go with that but thanks anyway for your response.

18 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Vientiane does not require a police clearance from your home country. They will accept one for Thailand.

Vientiane's requirement does not specifically state a TEFl certificate is needed and I do not recall them wanting the original.

See: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/upload/pdf/Visa/Non-B teacher.pdf

Thanks for the attachment with the information and your response on this topic AND your help with past topics.

8 hours ago, MeePeeMai said:

If you need a background check from Hawaii then go here:  

 

https://ag.hawaii.gov/hcjdc/criminal-history-records-check/

 

Just mail them 30 dollars and they’ll send you one in a few days. Easy, I had to do this to get my O-A visa from the Thai embassy in D.C.

Thanks for the link. You needed one for D.C? The Thai consulate in L.A never asked for this but I'll keep this link and send them a criminal history check next year when I renew my visa again.

5 hours ago, MeePeeMai said:

To the OP

 

If you use the link I posted above (State of Hawaii A.G's office), fingerprint cards or fingerprinting is not necessary, just your name and DOB. 

 

Your results can be e-mailed to you or sent via snail mail (I don't believe that Thai government agencies will accept the e-mailed version, it must be certified, signed and stamped on an official department letterhead).

 

If you are still in Hawaii, this is the way to go.  If already in Thailand, you can order it online and then have it mailed to a friend in Hawaii who can then forward it to you.  Better to have it than not (just in case somebody asks for it).  Good luck.

Thanks for the added info. Greatly appreciated!!!

OP, as a TEFL isn't really a requirement to teach in Thailand you should be fine with a copy. 

11 hours ago, zaZa9 said:

Anyone know how to do one in Australia ?

Apply to local state police,Qld online,NSW application over counter at local court house.

Check online for your home state rules

 

You don't need a police background check if you're getting your visa in Thailand (I didn't when I switched my tourist visa to a retirement visa). It would only be necessary if you applied for the long stay visa in the US at the Thai embassy or consulate. You also don't need medical check. It's much easier getting the visa here than getting it in your home country. 

 

12 hours ago, zaZa9 said:

Anyone know how to do one in Australia ?

Here

https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/services/criminal-records/national-police-checks 

In Hawaii go to http://ecrim.ehawaii.gov/ I think it's the same as Massachusetts $25. You can apply on line and pay by CC. Results are sent via email 

On 4/28/2019 at 2:22 AM, Isaanbiker said:

OP, as a TEFL isn't really a requirement to teach in Thailand you should be fine with a copy. 

That's good to hear for me. Thanks for the info.

15 hours ago, Morty T said:

In Hawaii go to http://ecrim.ehawaii.gov/ I think it's the same as Massachusetts $25. You can apply on line and pay by CC. Results are sent via email 

Thanks for the info. I will check on it when I need it.

On 4/27/2019 at 4:17 AM, rodknock said:

for the u.s. police report you need to contact your local police dept. and ask them where to get it done. 

Thanks for the info

18 hours ago, nickstav said:

You don't need a police background check if you're getting your visa in Thailand (I didn't when I switched my tourist visa to a retirement visa). It would only be necessary if you applied for the long stay visa in the US at the Thai embassy or consulate. You also don't need medical check. It's much easier getting the visa here than getting it in your home country. 

 

Thanks for the info. It does seem to be easier to get a visa in countries bordering Thailand than our home country.