Jordan Police Clearance Letter Legalization

City and County Police Letters for Jordan

Some Jordanian employers and offices ask for a “good conduct” letter from the police where the applicant lives, in addition to a national record. In the United States, that letter comes from the city police department or the county sheriff, and it covers only that agency’s own files. To be relied on in Jordan, the letter must be notarized, authenticated and legalized by the Embassy of Jordan.

Where it fits

A local letter is most useful when the Jordanian request specifically mentions the police of your place of residence, when an employer wants evidence covering your current address, or as a supplement while an FBI check is being processed. It does not replace a nationwide record where that is required. If you have moved recently, one department may not cover the period requested, and a state or FBI record may be better.

Asking your police department

Practice varies widely. Many departments issue clearance letters only to residents, in person, with photo ID and sometimes fingerprints, and some decline to issue letters for use abroad. Ask for a letter on department letterhead that includes your full name, date of birth and address, the records searched and the result, and the name, title and signature of the records officer or chief, with the date. A letter without a named signer is hard to legalize.

Why a notary is needed

Secretaries of State authenticate the signatures of public officials whose signatures they hold on file, and notaries. Most police records officers are not on file, so the officer signs in front of a notary, or the department provides a notarized certification. In some states, a county clerk’s certificate is then needed before the Secretary of State will act.

Legalization and timing

The notarized letter is authenticated by the Secretary of State and the U.S. Department of State, then legalized by the Embassy of Jordan in Washington, D.C., usually in about a week. Jordan does not accept apostilles. Jordanian offices prefer recent letters, so request it close to the date you will file. Police letters are personal documents under Case 3; we lodge the embassy request online with Jordan’s MFA and include the extra copy.