Police Clearance Certificate

Generally, no. When adjusting status within the U.S. through Form I-485, USCIS conducts its own FBI background check using the applicant's fingerprints/biometrics. However, in rare cases, USCIS may issue an RFE requesting a PCC from a specific country. Consular processing (visa interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad) always requires PCCs.

If in China: bring your national ID card and household registration booklet to the local police station in your registered area to request a No Criminal Record Certificate, then have it notarized at a local notary office — a bilingual Chinese-English version is recommended. If overseas: contact the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate, or authorize a relative in China to handle the process. Note that each city's police station only issues certificates covering the period of residence in that city; if you lived in multiple cities, separate certificates may be needed.

U.S. embassies and consulates generally require the PCC to have been issued within 2 years of the visa interview date. However, requirements may vary by post, so it is advisable to obtain the PCC 3–6 months before the interview. If the PCC expires before the interview, a new one may need to be obtained. FBI background check results have no official expiration date, but consulates typically prefer recent reports.

If the applicant can demonstrate to the consular officer that a PCC is genuinely unobtainable from a particular country (e.g., due to war, non-existent government institutions), the consular officer may accept alternative evidence. The applicant should provide a written explanation of why the PCC cannot be obtained, along with other supporting documentation showing the absence of a criminal record (e.g., employer letters, school certifications).

For I-485 Adjustment of Status applicants, USCIS automatically arranges the FBI background check during adjudication — applicants only need to attend the scheduled biometrics appointment. However, for consular processing (immigrant visa application at a U.S. embassy abroad), some posts may require applicants to independently provide FBI background check results — particularly if the applicant resided in the United States for more than 6 months.