Call on: (760) 469-2997
Open Hours: 24/7

Federal Apostille and Notary Processing

Start My Apostille

How to Get an FBI Background Check

How to Get an FBI Background Check (Identity History Summary) — Federal Apostille
A Complete Guide

How to Get an
FBI Background Check

Step-by-step instructions for obtaining your FBI Identity History Summary by mail — the same process used by U.S. embassies, immigration attorneys, and document services worldwide. Updated for 2026 with current FBI forms.

View the 7 Steps Order Our Kit  →
$18
FBI Processing Fee
2–6 wks
FBI Processing Time
4
Official Forms Required
100%
Self-Submission Authorized
Background

What is an FBI Identity History Summary?

An FBI Identity History Summary (IdHS) is the official record the Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains of arrest information voluntarily submitted to it by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. It is sometimes informally called a "rap sheet" or "FBI background check."

Under U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73 (28 C.F.R. § 16.30–16.34), any individual has the right to obtain a copy of their own FBI Identity History Summary for personal review, correction, or for international purposes such as work or residency abroad.

Common reasons people request it

  • Foreign work visa or employment abroad
  • Foreign residency or permanent residency application
  • Foreign citizenship or dual citizenship
  • International adoption
  • Teaching English abroad (TEFL/CELTA placements)
  • Court matters or immigration proceedings
  • Personal review and verification of records
i
Important note about U.S. employment

Per DOJ Order 556-73 and 28 CFR 16.32, you cannot use this self-requested copy of your FBI report for U.S. employment or licensing purposes. Those uses require a separate fingerprint-based background check submitted by an authorized employer or licensing authority. This guide is for personal review and international purposes.

What You'll Need

Four Official FBI Forms

Every form below is published and maintained by the FBI. Download them directly from fbi.gov — or get them all in one professionally prepared kit.

Form 1-783 · Rev. 03/19/2025

Identity History Summary Request

The cover form. Tells the FBI who you are, where to send results, and how you're paying. Must be signed in black ink.

Form FD-258 · Rev. 10/31/2023

Applicant Fingerprint Card

The card your fingerprints get rolled onto. Print on heavy white cardstock (90 lb / 200 gsm). We recommend printing two copies.

Form 1-786 · Rev. 06-01-2020

Credit Card Payment Form

Only used if paying the $18 fee by credit card. If using money order or certified check instead, skip this one.

Form 1-785 · Rev. 5-22-2014

"Did You Remember To...?" Checklist

The FBI's official pre-mailing checklist. Walk through it before sealing your envelope. Optional but strongly recommended.

The Process

The 7 Steps, Start to Finish

Follow these steps in order. Read the entire process before you begin — mistakes are the #1 reason FBI submissions get rejected, and a rejection means starting over from the fingerprinting.

!
Read all 7 steps before you begin

Mistakes on the FD-258 card (smudged prints, missing information, wrong form) are the #1 reason the FBI returns submissions. A rejected submission means starting over — new fingerprints, new payment, weeks of additional waiting.

1

Read everything first

Before doing anything else, read all 7 steps so you understand the full process. The FBI does not allow you to "fix" a rejected submission — you start over.

2

Complete FBI Form 1-783

Fill out the Identity History Summary Request Form in black ink only. Include your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, the address where you want results delivered, and your signature.

International applicants: If you don't have a U.S. Social Security Number, write "N/A" in that field. Your address can be anywhere in the world.

3

Get your fingerprints rolled

Take a printed copy of FBI Form FD-258 to a fingerprinting technician. We recommend printing two copies: if the FBI rejects the first set for poor print quality, you have a backup ready.

In the U.S.: Local police, UPS Store / FedEx Office, private fingerprinting services. Typical cost: $5–$25.

Abroad: U.S. Embassy or Consulate (most reliable), local police station, or private fingerprinting services in major cities.

4

Prepare your $18 payment

The FBI charges $18.00 USD per request, paid directly to the U.S. Treasury. You have three options — see the table below for full details.

5

Assemble your submission package

Place the completed Form 1-783, your FD-258 fingerprint card(s), and your $18 payment into a sturdy envelope. Do not fold the fingerprint card — folded cards can't be machine-scanned.

6

Mail to the FBI CJIS Division

Send your package to the address below using a tracked mail service. Do not include a self-addressed return envelope — the FBI uses its own envelopes for results.

FBI Mailing Address
FBI CJIS Division — Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306
United States of America

U.S. applicants: USPS Priority Mail with tracking ($8–$12) is recommended.
International applicants: DHL, FedEx International, or your country's tracked airmail. Plan for 1–3 weeks of international transit each way.

7

Wait for your results

The FBI mails your Identity History Summary to the address you provided on Form 1-783. Processing typically takes 2 to 6 weeks from the date the FBI receives your complete package.

Your results arrive on standard white paper with the official FBI watermark and the signature of an FBI Division official. Either your criminal history information will be listed, or — if you have no record — a statement that no record exists.

i
The FBI does not return your fingerprint cards

Per current FBI policy, your fingerprint cards will be destroyed after processing for privacy reasons. If you need to submit again later, you'll need to roll fresh prints on a new card.

Step 4 in Detail

How to Pay the $18 FBI Fee

The FBI charges $18.00 USD per person, per request. This fee goes to the U.S. Treasury, not to any third party. You have three accepted payment methods:

Method How to Use It Where to Get It
Money Order Made payable to "Treasury of the United States". Write your full legal name on the memo line. U.S. Post Office, Western Union, banks, supermarkets ($1–$5 fee)
Certified or Cashier's Check Made payable to "Treasury of the United States". Personal checks are NOT accepted. Your bank or credit union ($5–$15 fee)
Credit Card Complete FBI Form 1-786 in black ink. Sign and include with your submission. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express
!
What the FBI does NOT accept

Personal checks, business checks, cash, foreign currency, foreign money orders not in U.S. dollars, gift cards, cryptocurrency, Venmo / Zelle / PayPal, or wire transfers. If your payment is in any of these forms, your submission will be returned unprocessed.

i
International applicants

Money orders must be in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank, or be U.S. Postal Service International Money Orders. If this is impractical from your country, the credit card option (Form 1-786) is the simplest path. Most international Visa and MasterCard credit cards work.

The #1 Cause of Rejection

Fingerprint Rolling — Do's & Don'ts

Poor fingerprint quality causes 5–10% of FBI submissions to be rejected. Following these rules — and sharing them with whoever is rolling your prints — dramatically improves your chances of acceptance on the first try.

DO
  • Wash and dry hands thoroughly before rolling. Skin oils ruin print clarity.
  • Use BLACK ink only. The FBI explicitly says no red or purple.
  • Apply ink in a thin, even layer from first joint to fingertip.
  • Roll nail-to-nail in ONE motion. Don't hesitate or backtrack.
  • Capture all 10 rolled impressions — each finger in its own labeled box.
  • Take the four-finger plain impressions at the bottom row.
  • Have the technician relax YOUR hand. Don't help — let them control the motion.
  • Check each print immediately for clear ridge detail.
  • Print and bring TWO blank FD-258 cards. The FBI charges $18 once.
  • Sign both the card AND Form 1-783 consistently.
DON'T
  • Don't photocopy a completed FD-258. Photocopies are routinely rejected.
  • Don't apply too much ink. Heavy ink causes filled-in ridges.
  • Don't apply too little ink. Faded prints are also rejected.
  • Don't roll back and forth. One smooth motion only.
  • Don't press too hard. Pressure flattens the ridges.
  • Don't skip fingers, even amputated ones — write "AMPUTATED" or "MISSING".
  • Don't fold, bend, or staple the card. Mail flat between cardboard.
  • Don't use moisturizer or hand sanitizer. Both contaminate the ridges.
  • Don't use an untrained roller if you can avoid it. Technicians have higher acceptance.
  • Don't reuse old fingerprints. Each request requires fresh prints.
✓
Pro tips for clean prints

(1) Have the person being printed relax their hand — don't let them help. (2) Support the back of their hand at the wrist. (3) Check each print immediately after rolling. (4) Work-worn or dry hands roll better with a tiny amount of hand cream applied 30 minutes before — then washed off completely.

Want all four FBI forms in one professionally prepared kit?

Federal Apostille's FBI Fingerprint Submission Kit includes every official FBI form, a 20-page step-by-step instruction booklet, fingerprint rolling guide, pre-addressed mailing labels, and a quick reference card — shipped to your door via FedEx.

Forms are the official, current versions downloaded directly from fbi.gov — assembled, not modified.

$85
+ shipping
Order Kit
After You Get Your Results

Need an apostille
for international use?

If your FBI report needs to be used in a foreign country, it likely requires a federal apostille — issued by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, in Washington, D.C. We handle the entire process for you.

  • We submit your FBI report to the U.S. Department of State for federal apostille
  • Track every stage with email updates from start to finish
  • Optional certified translation in 30+ languages, apostille-bound
  • Optional direct delivery to your destination country or foreign agent
Submit Apostille Order →
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

My FD-258 card got smudged or rejected. What now?

Print a fresh copy of FBI Form FD-258 on heavy white cardstock. Roll a new set of fingerprints. Send the new card with a copy of the rejection letter — you do not need to pay the $18 fee again if your original payment cleared.

Can I print FBI Form FD-258 myself instead of buying official cardstock cards?

Yes. Per the FBI's published guidance, the FBI accepts FD-258 cards printed on standard white paper. We recommend heavy white cardstock (90 lb / 200 gsm or heavier) so the technician has a sturdy surface to roll prints on, and so the card survives mailing intact.

Can I submit fingerprints from a previous FBI background check?

No. The FBI requires a fresh, current set of prints for each request. Previously submitted prints cannot be reused.

How long does the FBI take to process my request?

Approximately 2 to 6 weeks once they receive a complete, correctly prepared submission. Incomplete submissions are returned, which can add 4–8 weeks to your timeline.

Can the FBI email me my results?

No. If you submit by mail (the method described in this guide), results are returned by U.S. Postal Service mail only. To receive electronic results, you'd need to use the FBI's online eDO process or an FBI-approved channeler — neither of which is suitable for international applicants.

Can I have my results sent to someone else (an attorney, family member)?

Yes. Use the "In Care Of (c/o)" or "Attention" fields on Form 1-783. Some destinations require a letter of release, signed by you and the receiving party.

My request was returned. Why?

The most common reasons:

  1. Poor fingerprint quality
  2. Missing payment
  3. Incomplete FBI Form 1-783
  4. Name/date mismatch between the form and the FD-258 card
  5. Wrong form (using a different fingerprint card instead of FD-258)

Fix the issue and resubmit. You do not need to pay the $18 fee again if your original payment cleared.

Does Federal Apostille submit my fingerprints to the FBI for me?

Our standard FBI Fingerprint Submission Kit is designed for self-submission — we provide every form and instruction, you mail it to the FBI yourself.

We also offer a Premium Submission Service, where we receive your completed cards, review them for issues before submission, and forward them to the FBI on your behalf. Contact us for details.

What's the difference between a state apostille and a federal apostille?

A state apostille is issued by your state's Secretary of State and only authenticates state documents (birth certificates, marriage licenses, state-issued documents).

A federal apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C., and is required for federal documents — including the FBI Identity History Summary. State Secretaries of State cannot apostille federal documents.

Federal Apostille is a private document services company. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice, or the U.S. Department of State. The $18 FBI processing fee is paid directly to the U.S. Treasury and is not part of the cost of any kit or service. All FBI procedures, addresses, fees, and forms referenced on this page are based on official FBI guidance current as of 2026. For the most current information, visit fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks.

Connect With Us

facebook-square instagram linkedin
federal_apostille_logo

Federal Apostille and Notary Processing

400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Opening Hours: 24/7
(760) 469-2997
submissions@federalapostille.org

Our Services

Documentation

News & Updates

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Federal Apostille and Notary Processing© 2026. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy and Legal Disclosures.

Federal Apostille & Notary Processing is a private document preparation and processing service and is not a government agency. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any federal, state, or local government authority.
FA
Federal Apostille
● Online — Typically replies instantly