Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

I've been out of town (without my computer!!) for a couple days. Sorry to be so slow in getting back to you.

Check with the consulate for what they want. In most European countries there is some sort of national level police agency that handles this request for a police record. If you're coming from the US, the closest equivalent is the FBI.

In the past, some folks have gotten away with getting a statement (or some sort of formal paper) from their local police force stating that they have no record of any mis-deeds over the 10 years (or however long) you have lived in the area. If, however, they insist on the national record (as they do when you're applying for nationality), you have to get fingerprinted using a special FBI card, then send that with $18 to the FBI for them to check your "rap sheet" on a national level.

Last I knew, the FBI won't mail out the cards. You need to find an FBI office nearby and go in and ask for one. You can then usually take it to your local police station where they will fingerprint you (normally for free, but with the current round of budget crises going on they may start charging for this service).

The instructions for mailing in the card are all there on the card, and what you get back for you $18 is the card stamped "no record found." But it's enough to convince the French authorities that you're not a druggie or a terrorist.
Cheers,
Bev