U Visa: Tips for Requesting Your Police Report

The U Visa is a special type of visa intended for victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse and who are willing to assist authorities in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.

The first step in determining if you are eligible for a U visa is to obtain the police report (with the exact charges) and take it to an immigration attorney to evaluate your options.

Recommendations for requesting the police report:

• Get informed: Go online or call the agency that took the report to see if you can request it virtually, if you need to come in person, or if there is a cost.

• Name variations: Be sure to provide ALL variations of your name that the report could be under. For example, if your legal name is Samuel Salazar Ruiz but you sometimes use Samuel Salazar or Samuel Ruiz, report all variants.

• Dates and Details of Crime: Provide the exact date or at least the year the crime occurred. The more details you can provide, the better.

• Report Destruction Timeline: Police agencies typically destroy reports after a certain amount of time. If you were a victim of a crime, you want to know if you can apply for a U Visa. Request your report as soon as possible to prevent it from being destroyed.

• Get the full report: The purpose of obtaining the police report is to determine if the crime qualifies for the U Visa, which is only for certain crimes. You will need to obtain a detailed report of the crime, not just the confirmation sheet that a report was taken.

How to Request a Police Report?

Each law enforcement agency has its own process for requesting a report. Some may require a fee and some may not. Below is an example to illustrate the process.

Example: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

1. Online Search: Perform a Google search for the words "Los Angeles County Sheriff Police Report Request." This will take you to the official website.
   

2. Request Process: Their website shows you can request the report by phone, in person by appointment in Norwalk, or by mail.
   

3. Requirements: You will need to provide your name, date of birth, address, signature, and authorized identification. The fee is $25 if you have the case number, and $35 if you don't, as it requires more search work.
   

4. Exemptions: Victims of domestic violence may receive a free copy within the first five years of the report being made.

The U Visa offers great benefits, including waivers for situations that other cases do not allow, work permits while it is pending (if determined by USCIS), and even the option to obtain permanent residency in the future if you qualify. If you think you may be eligible, obtain the police report and schedule an appointment with me so I can let you know your options.

Are you having trouble obtaining the police report?

Don't worry! We are here to help you. If you are having difficulty requesting your police report or need us to file the request for you, we offer this service and would be happy to assist you.

Next Steps

If you need assistance, please call 213-772-3082.

Ready to take the next step? Schedule a meeting with me to discuss your situation and explore your options for seeking immigration relief through a U visa.

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This is for general information purposes only. For advice about your specific situation, contact an experienced immigration attorney.