can somebody please tell me what i need to ask for when sending for my police records check, as for most countries the application for permanent residence in canada seems to ask for a certificate, but its clearley stated in bold not to ask for a certificate when applying to metropolitan police.u.k. so what should i ask for and should i state (to police) when applying not to send me a certificate. appoligies if this post has been listed previous. thanks.
what is waiting time for this check?

You need your prosecution / conviction history from the police national computer. It's not a certificate because it doesn't certify your character or that you have no criminal record. All the UK police will do is confirm they have searched their national records and the details you supplied did not (hopefully) show up in the system.

Go to your local police station and ask for a police clearance, otherwise known as a PNC check (Police National Computer). They will give you the form to fill out. It will cost you £10 and you will get your clearance mailed to you within 40 days.

if youve ever been arrested but were never convicted of an offense you can ask them to remove the information off your record and apply for it again.

I don't find it that easy to go down to my local police station and pick up a form as NZ is a long way from there.

I noticed this strange problem of Metropolitian Police not listing the required form today whilst trying to get a form for my girlfriend. The Story goes:
Author: Ben mum
Ben
I've found a quicker way to do this. (Get the form)
Go to www.leics.police.uk
Then about us
library
forms
You need the 'Application for Previous Convictions etc' form
Print it off and fill it in and sign it and send it back to ME and I will send it off with a cheque for ten pounds (IT HAS TO BE IN STIRLING).
Bing can do the same but she has to get the form from the police force where she was last known to be residing before she left the UK to go to NZ. She should be able to get a web address for them and will presumably be able to get a form in a similar way. Again if she sends the completed and signed form back to me I will send it off for her.
Good luck. Email me ASAP to let me know how you have got on
Love you loads. Am at last feeling better today so out for a walk in the drizzle!!!!!! Good luck with your house hunting.
Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mine was easy. Bing (yes my girlfriend) cannot get hers. Metropolitian don't give out the form!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!................. .............ehhhhhhhhh. I checked other police forces do eg Illford.
Whats going on here..................... Me confused.
Anyway just go to the Leicester Constabulary (link above) and print off the form. Page 2 No need waste paper! and send it to National Identification Service at New Scotland Yard, London. Address is on form

Hope that works

I don't know how true that is as I was living in North Yorkshire when I applied for my police check, but I popped into a police station in West Yorkshire and filled out the form, as I just happened to be in Bradford for that day. I know they're not exactly miles apart, but they're still two separate counties and two separate police forces. I had no problems with mine. I don't see why it would be a problem as it gets sent to the Met for the PNC check anyway doesn't it?

Your local british consulate would probably process the police check for you. I'm organising mine from Canada and trying to find out if I need national & Northern Irish police checks completed as I'm from Northern Ireland. CIC call centre told me to contact the british consulate here in Montreal to find out! It would be a lot easier if I could just call the office responsible for processing my application but alas CHC London maintains it's right to silence.