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| hi, parkadam, thanks for the helpful info ... a couple questions:
1. I never saw anywhere that a criminal record was necessary. I'm hoping this was just you taking extra precautions, going the extra mile. If not, how long did it take you to obtain that? I'm in NYC too.
2. I submitted my documentation of our marriage through the consulate. I'm hoping that wasn't a grievous error, based on what you all are saying about avoiding them. But one thing I was explicitly told was that the Apostille wasn't necessary (for our marriage cert and my birth cert). I actually have gone through that process in the past, and know it's a pain, so I was relieved. Where did you hear or read that you do need to get it?
Thanks again & cheers | |
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Hi,
As i didn't go through the Swiss consulate in NY, I don't know what they require, so I can't comment. However usually when dealing with certain documents accross international lines an Apostille is usually necessary.
You may not have to give the criminal record now, but you may receive a letter from which ever canton you reside when you enter the country and register at the gemeindehaus. You will have to register at the gemeinde this I think within a 8 days or so of your arrival into Switzerland. Not all cantons I hear require the criminal record extract, but Canton Zurich usually does.
Once you arrive, the canton may also have a bunch of other requirements such as showing that you have a certain amount of money in the bank account (if you're doing family reunification), the lease with you name on it; letter from you land-loard givin you permission to live in the apt. In addition to that...specific for me, was that they also wanted documentation that my NYC wedding was documented in Italy (in my wifes hometown; with an italian extract).
Best to have the criminal record extract (certificate of good conduct) so that you're not in a spot where you'll have to get it from here, could be a pain. You may or may not need it, but best to risk-mitgate and have it. Get it apostillized as well. If you do go to NYPD providing that you live in NYC, you can only do this at the puzzle place..aka 1PP; allow turn around time of two weeks. Then you'll have to go get it apostillized as i previously described. When you pick-up your certificate at 1PP, Do NOT LEAVE ..until a SUPERVISORY officer on-duty puts a stamp and SIGNS that stamp on the certificate. They'll just give it to you with some schmoes initials, that won't work with the NYC notary..you'll have to go back an get that signature, as I had to do. So save yourself some time.
I think its important to emphasize you'll be dealing with multiple tiers here. You may do stuff with the swiss consulate...but then when you get here, the Canton will perhaps want something else (as I described), then there is the gemeinde in which you live. As an example the gemeinde will enforce the requirement for mandatory health-insurance and they will keep the record of that, etc, etc. Sometimes not all the arms talk. So that's one of the reasons I just did it the way i did it.
but again...I didnt deal with the Swiss consulate..you may want to ask them what can be done from your end and what to expect.