An FBI report, also known as an Identity History Summary, is a document that provides details about an individual’s criminal history, or confirms the absence of any criminal record, based on fingerprints submitted to the FBI.

• FBI Report: The FBI can process reports electronically in 2–4 weeks, but mailed requests may take longer.
• Apostille: The apostille process through the U.S. Department of State typically takes 2 weeks, depending on their workload.

You can obtain an FBI report by filling out the Identity History Summary Request Form available on the FBI’s website, getting your fingerprints taken at a local police station or authorized service, and submitting the form along with the required fee to the FBI either online or by mail. You can find all the necessary information on their official website.

Yes, Elite Documents can help you obtain your FBI report even if you are abroad. We ensure all paperwork is correctly completed, submit it to the FBI, and stay in contact to get the results.

1. Find a Fingerprinting Location:

   • Locate a fingerprinting service near you. This can often be done at local police departments or Interpol fingerprinting locations. If you have an attorney or facilitator, ask them for recommendations.

2. Complete the Request Form:

   • Fill out and sign the Identity History Summary Request Form (OMB-1110-0052).

3. Send Us Your Fingerprints:

   • Mail us the original fingerprint cards and the completed form using a tracking service (DHL, EMS, UPS, FedEx)
   • You can submit up to 5 fingerprints per request.

4. Notify Us:

   • Send us an email with your tracking number so we can monitor the arrival of your package. 
5. We will email you a confirmation: 
   • upon receiving your documents and the invoice. Using the online invoice provided, you can make payment via credit or debit card.

Typically, one fingerprint card is sufficient, but you can submit up to five fingerprint cards per request to ensure the prints are clear and readable.

If your fingerprints are rejected due to quality issues, you may need to submit new fingerprint cards. You can submit up to 5 cards per transaction. If the request is still rejected, we can resubmit them for a third time. If they are still rejected after the third attempt, we can then request a certified letter of “Unsuccessful Identity History Summary Check Request” with an electronic signature, which can then be apostilled by the federal agency, the U.S. Department of State.

It is recommended to have your fingerprints taken by a professional to ensure they meet FBI standards. Self-taken fingerprints may not be accepted due to quality issues.

For more information about fingerprinting, visit the FBI’s Law Enforcement Resources website for recording legible finerprints or the Recording Friction Ridges module.

 Yes, you can expedite your FBI report through approved channels. These channels have their own requirements, so it’s best to contact them directly for information about their services. 

 We ship via DHL, providing a tracking number for your convenience

Simplifies how documents are authenticated for use in other countries. Instead of going through a long legalization process, a single certificate called an apostille is attached to the document.

The apostille’s purpose is to verify the signatures and seals on the document, proving it is authentic and valid. This process is used for documents like birth certificates, FBI background checks, diplomas, and other official records.

Once a document has an apostille, it can be accepted in other countries that are part of the Hague Convention without needing further checks. This makes it easier and faster to use documents internationally.

You may need an FBI report when applying for foreign visas, residency, employment, or citizenship in another country. It’s often required to prove your criminal history or lack thereof.

Yes, if the country where you’re using the report is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the report must have an apostille certificate to verify its authenticity. However, always confirm with the destination country, your lawyer, facilitator, or the requesting party to ensure that an apostille is required for your specific situation.

To obtain an apostille, your FBI report must first be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. This involves submitting the FBI-issued document (usually a PDF or hard copy) for further processing.

Yes, a PDF version of the FBI report can be submitted for authentication and apostille, provided it is issued directly by the FBI or an approved channel and includes their official digital signature.

Important Notes:

• If you have a hard copy of the FBI report, it must be mailed to us for processing. Only the original PDF version issued by the FBI or an approved channel is accepted for apostille.
• Photocopies or scanned copies of the original document will not be accepted.

Please Note: While we can process the document, it is ultimately up to the U.S. Department of State to accept it for authentication and apostille.

You will typically need:

• Your fingerprints (on an approved fingerprint card).
• A signed application form.
• A government-issued ID.

Yes, you can use the same FBI report in multiple countries, but it depends on the specific requirements of each destination. If the country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille attached to your FBI report ensures it is accepted without needing additional authentication.

However, if the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, the document will need to go through embassy legalization or further authentication. This may include certification by the U.S. Department of State and legalization at the destination country’s embassy or consulate.

Important Considerations:

• Expiration Dates: Many countries have specific rules about the validity period of documents like FBI reports. Make sure the report is still within the allowed time frame for the destination country. If it’s expired, you’ll need to obtain a new report.
• Additional Requirements: Some countries may require translations, notarizations, or additional certifications. Check with the country of destination, your lawyer, or the requesting party to ensure your document meets their standards.

By verifying all these details, you can ensure that your FBI report is valid and properly authenticated for use in multiple countries.

For non-member countries, the FBI report may need to go through a different legalization process, such as certification by the U.S. Department of State and additional steps through the destination country’s embassy or consulate.

Yes, we can ship your documents internationally via DHL. Once your package is sent, we’ll provide you with the tracking information so you can monitor its journey and know exactly when to expect delivery. Your documents are in safe hands!