Some countries accept a police clearance letter from your city of residence instead of, or in addition to, an FBI background check. Requirements vary by destination country, so confirm with the embassy or consulate before you apply.
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Police Clearance Letter in Houston
Need a police clearance letter Houston filing for immigration or work abroad? Houston-area records go through Houston PD or Texas DPS. If your record is from another city, get that letter locally and ship it to Sam's Passport in Houston for apostille or authentication. Call (713) 784-5501.
Outline
Sam’s Passport Inc. helps Houston clients obtain and authenticate police clearance letters for overseas use. We guide you through the Houston Police Department or Texas DPS application and handle the apostille or authentication of the completed letter.
What is a police clearance letter?
A police clearance letter (also called a good-conduct certificate or no-criminal-record letter) is issued by a local or state law-enforcement agency confirming that you have no pending charges or criminal convictions in that jurisdiction.
When you need one
Common reasons Houston clients request a police clearance letter:
Immigration or residencyPermanent residency applications that require local police clearance in addition to the FBI check
Work visaEmployers or labor ministries abroad requesting clearance from the applicant’s city of residence
International adoptionAdoption agencies requiring both federal and local clearance from each parent
Teaching abroadSchools requiring local background verification
Dual citizenshipCitizenship or naturalization applications requiring proof of good conduct
Marriage abroadSome countries require local police clearance before issuing a marriage license
How to get one in Houston
- Houston PD request
Apply at the Houston Police Department Records Division. You will need a valid government-issued ID and your fingerprints. HPD issues the letter on department letterhead.
- Texas DPS alternative
If the destination country requires a state-level clearance, apply through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for a state criminal history report.
- Notarize if required
Some embassies require the letter to be notarized before apostille or authentication. Sam’s Passport can handle notarization at our Houston office.
- Apostille or authenticateBring or ship the letter to Sam’s Passport. We send it to the Texas Secretary of State for apostille (Hague countries) or state certification + federal authentication + embassy legalization (non-Hague countries).
The police clearance letter is a local/state document. Unlike the FBI report, it goes through the Texas Secretary of State before reaching Washington, DC (non-Hague path).
Required documents
Once you have the police clearance letter, bring or ship it to Sam’s Passport for apostille or authentication.
What to send
Police clearance letterOriginal letter from Houston PD or Texas DPS on official letterhead
Passport copyA color copy of the applicant’s passport information pages
Driver licenseA copy of the applicant’s driver license
Sam's Request FormCompleted Sam’s Request Form with destination country listed
Some embassies require the police clearance letter to be notarized before the chain can start. Let us know the destination country and we confirm the requirements.
Ship your documents
Please use FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Priority Overnight to ship your police clearance letter to Sam’s Passport Inc. Call before you ship so we confirm the destination country’s requirements.
Houston office
What to include
Completed request formInclude your completed Sam’s Request Form
Copies of IDPassport information pages and driver license copies
Return labelA prepaid overnight label for return delivery when required
Call before you shipConfirm requirements at (713) 784-5501
Clients nationwide can ship to our Houston office. Walk-in drop-off is also available at Suite 100.
Common questions about police clearance letters in Houston
What is a police clearance letter?
A police clearance letter is a document from a local or state law-enforcement agency confirming you have no pending charges or criminal convictions in that jurisdiction. It is sometimes called a good-conduct certificate or no-criminal-record letter.
Is a police clearance letter the same as an FBI background check?
No. The FBI background check is a federal record based on your fingerprints. A police clearance letter is a local or state record from a specific jurisdiction like Houston PD or Texas DPS. Some countries require both.
How do I get a police clearance letter in Houston?
Apply at the Houston Police Department Records Division with a valid government ID and fingerprints. For state-level clearance, apply through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Sam's Passport can direct you to the correct office.
Does the police clearance letter need to be notarized?
Some embassies require the letter to be notarized before apostille or authentication. Sam's Passport can handle notarization at our Houston office if your destination country requires it.
How long does the process take?
Houston PD typically issues the letter within 5-10 business days. After you receive it, apostille or authentication through Sam's Passport takes about 5-10 additional working days depending on service level.
Can I mail my police clearance letter from outside Houston?
Yes. Once you have the letter, ship it to our Houston office by FedEx or UPS Priority Overnight. Include Sam's Request Form, ID copies, and call (713) 784-5501 before shipping.