How is this typically done. Should I just go to my local police station? What is the most cost effective way to get 'er done?

You can go to your local police station or sheriffs office in most states. That would probably be the lowest cost way to do it

You can go to your local police station or sheriffs office in most states. That would probably be the lowest cost way to do it

I have an existing fingerprint clearance card for another state, that can be verified online. Would that be of any help? I also have the letter that accompanied it, but it is 4 years old.

The police certificate must be no older than 3 months old. See: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22O-A%22-(Long-Stay).html

You should check with the consulate that will be issuing your visa as some want an FBI report since it meets the exact requirement to show that you have no police record in your resident "country". There is an online process to obtain an FBI report (just Goggle for it.)

FBI criminal background checks can be obtained directly from the FBI. The cost is $18 plus whatever it costs to be fingerprinted. Here's the link: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/criminal-history-summary-checks/submitting-a-criminal-history-summary-request-to-the-fbi

Edited December 12, 201312 yr by wayned

Keep in mind the FBI check can take about two months.

I had to have one for teaching here. It took less than a month including mailing to/from the US. Funny thing was that they never debited my credit card the $18.

Most county sheriffs office will do it for free. You just tell them that you want a local criminal records check, which means they will go to their file drawer look up your name and then write a letter on official letter head stating "no record found"

This is sufficient for the Thai Embassy in Washington and the consulate in New York. But be aware that Chicago and Los Angeles require this "letter" to be notarized

Most county sheriffs office will do it for free. You just tell them that you want a local criminal records check, which means they will go to their file drawer look up your name and then write a letter on official letter head stating "no record found"

This is sufficient for the Thai Embassy in Washington and the consulate in New York. But be aware that Chicago and Los Angeles require this "letter" to be notarized

The local police will stamp it if asked - must ask for verification that it is a true copy (same as notary).