FBI background check (Identity History Summary) — how to get one (2026)
How to get your FBI background check (Identity History Summary / 'rap sheet'): the 3 ways to request it, the $18 fee, fingerprinting, processing time, and how to apostille it for use abroad (residency, visa, adoption).
FBI background check (Identity History Summary)
An FBI background check — officially the Identity History Summary (IdHS) — is the federal record of any arrests tied to your fingerprints. People most often need it for foreign residency or visa applications, international adoption, certain jobs and licenses, or simply to review their own record. This page covers the three ways to get one, the cost, and how to apostille it for use abroad.
The three ways to request it
| Method | Where | Speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBI online (eDO) | edo.cjis.gov | Days (after fingerprints) | $18 FBI fee |
| FBI-approved Channeler | list at fbi.gov | Often fastest (sometimes same day) | $18 + channeler fee |
| By mail | FBI CJIS Division | Several weeks | $18 + fingerprint-card costs |
The $18 FBI fee is per copy. Channelers and third-party fingerprinting add their own charges.
What you’ll need
- A completed request (online via eDO, or the mailed request form).
- Fingerprints — taken electronically at a participating location, or on an FD-1164 / FD-258 fingerprint card for mailed requests.
- Payment of the $18 fee (plus any channeler/fingerprinting fees).
Using your FBI check abroad (apostille)
If you need the summary for a foreign government — a residency permit, a visa, marriage, or adoption — that country usually requires it to be apostilled. Because the FBI summary is a federal document, the apostille comes from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, not a state Secretary of State.
➡️ See: How to apostille a US document
FBI check vs. state/local police clearance
- FBI Identity History Summary = the federal fingerprint-based record.
- State or local police clearance = records held by a state police agency or local department.
Read each application carefully — some require the federal FBI check, some a state clearance, some both.
Related information
- How to apostille a US document
- Register your US-born child with your consulate
- Consular power of attorney (poder)
- Find an immigration attorney
Official sources: FBI — Identity History Summary Checks · FBI eDO · U.S. Dept. of State — Authentications
Last verified: 2026-06-04.
General procedural information, not legal advice. FBI and Department of State procedures and fees change — verify on the official sites before applying. For how a background check affects an immigration case, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Frequently asked questions
What is an FBI background check?
How much does an FBI background check cost?
What are the ways to get one?
How do I apostille my FBI check for use in another country?
Is the FBI check the same as a state or local police clearance?
The rules change. Hear about it first.
Monthly digest of USCIS, IRS, and consulate fee, form, and deadline changes — no spam.
General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.