top of page

How to collect your fingerprints in the US?

Updated: Mar 1


When you request the Identity History Summary Checks (or Criminal Background Check) from the FBI, you'll need to submit your fingerprints.


Submit Request Online


1. If you submit a request electronically directly to the FBI, you may visit a participating U.S. Post Office location to submit your fingerprints electronically as part of your request. You may go to any of the 191 participating U.S. Post Office locations nationwide upon completion of your request. Additional fees may apply.

2. You may also choose to mail your completed fingerprint card (FD-258) along with a copy of your confirmation e-mail to the address shown on this page.


FBI CJIS Division

ATTN: ELECTRONIC SUMMARY REQUEST

1000 Custer Hollow Road

Clarksburg, WV 26306


Submit Request by Mail


For mail requestors, your fingerprints should be placed on a standard fingerprint form (FD-1164). The form, along with other documents and fees, should be mailed to the address on this page.


FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request

1000 Custer Hollow Road

Clarksburg, WV 26306


How to properly collect fingerprints by yourself?


If you choose to submit a fingerprint card, FD-258 or FD-1164. You must include rolled impressions of all 10 fingerprints and impressions of all 10 fingerprints taken at the same time (these are sometimes referred to as plain or flat impressions).


To ensure the most legible prints possible, refer to the Recording Legible Fingerprints page. If fingerprints are not legible, the fingerprint card will be rejected. This could cause delays in processing and could also result in additional fees. Note: The FBI recommends that red or purple ink not be used for fingerprinting. You may use black ink.


You can also refer to its ink method instruction video.


Apostille or Authenticate Your FBI Background Check


If the FBI Background Check is used overseas, you'll need to obtain an apostille or authentication certificate for your document.


An "Apostille" is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. If the country of intended use does not participate in the Hague Convention, documents being sent to that country can obtain a Certificate of "Authentication".


An Apostille is a simplified form of Authentication and usually needs only one competent authority to be involved. Yet Authentication may go through a multi-step process to get the certificate from those foreign embassies or consulates in the US.


If the destination country is a Hague Apostille country/region (such as Germany, Spain, France, etc.):

  • Get an Apostille from the U.S. Department of State. No further certification is needed.


If the destination country is NOT a Hague Apostille country/region:

  • Get an Authentication from the U.S. Department of State.

  • Get a Legalization from the Embassy.


Simply place an order based on your situation and email us your electronic FBI Background Check (PDF version). We will contact the right people and departments to complete the process.


The apostille and authentication process can be complicated. If you don't want to spend a lot of time and energy getting into it, your best bet is to let a professional do it for you. Once we receive your order and document, it'll be processed as soon as possible.


Besides FBI Background Checks, we also provide apostille, authentication, and embassy legalization services for other personal documents and corporate documents issued in 50 states and DC.


Posts you may be interested in:


 

American Notary Service Center Inc. provides fair, fast, confidential, and professional document notarization and certification services for our clients. We also provide various assistance services to small businesses led by socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Our service helps small businesses obtain federal government contracts, gain a foothold in the market, and boost their sales. For more information, please visit our website at www.usnotarycenter.com, and contact us by calling 202-599-0777 or by email at info@usnotarycenter.com.

bottom of page