If you're considering a career with the New York Police Department (NYPD) or need to obtain specific documentation, understanding the requirements can feel overwhelming. But fear not; let’s break it down into manageable steps.
First off, if you’re looking to get a Certificate of Conduct—a document that verifies your criminal history within New York City—you’ll need to make an appointment at One Police Headquarters in Lower Manhattan. This isn’t just a walk-in situation; appointments must be scheduled online through their official site. Arriving on time is crucial because latecomers may find themselves rescheduling due to availability constraints.
When you arrive for your appointment, ensure you bring all necessary identification and documents along with payment—either $50 via money order or certified check made out to the NYPD, or credit/debit cards accepted onsite (just remember they must have Visa or MasterCard logos). It’s important that these payments are handled directly at the unit during your visit; no fees are required when scheduling an appointment itself.
Now, what about those who aren’t U.S. citizens? The process remains accessible but requires additional documentation such as valid passports or letters from Homeland Security indicating your status and purpose for requesting this certificate. All applicants will undergo fingerprinting and possibly photography during their visit.
Processing times typically take around ten business days after your application has been submitted—so patience is key! Certificates will be mailed directly via USPS once everything is finalized.
In addition to Certificates of Conduct, non-criminal fingerprints might also be needed for certain permits or licenses—and yes, there’s a fee associated with that too ($25). Again, similar rules apply regarding payment methods and identification requirements here as well.
The types of documents accepted vary based on whether you're a U.S. citizen or not:
- For U.S. citizens: Valid passport OR original birth certificate combined with photo ID OR voter registration card plus photo ID OR Certificate of Naturalization.
- For non-citizens: Valid passport/Alien Registration Card/Employment Authorization Card OR current letter from DHS alongside photo ID OR consulate letter detailing personal information paired with photo ID.
It might seem like quite a bit of red tape initially—but by preparing ahead and ensuring you have all required paperwork ready before making that trip downtown, you'll streamline what could otherwise become an arduous task.