Criminal Record Certificate for the USA

FBI Background Check & US Criminal Record Certificate

Updated: March 2026 · Reviewed by specialist

Federal FBI Identity History Summary and state-level criminal checks for employment, immigration, visa applications, and international use. Apostille and certified translation included. 100% remote — free consultation.

  • Federal FBI check covered
  • State-level checks available
  • Apostille for international use
  • Free document review
Laura Chen
Reviewed byLaura ChenLegal Document Expert

What type of US criminal record check do you need?

Step 1 of 4

What is the purpose of your criminal record check?

Understanding US criminal background checks

The United States has two main levels of criminal record checks:

  1. Federal (FBI) check — the FBI Identity History Summary covers all criminal records in the national database across every US state. This is required for immigration, federal employment, and international use.
  2. State-level check — each state maintains its own criminal records. Some employers and licensing bodies require a check from a specific state, particularly your current or most recent state of residence.

For most immigration, visa, and international purposes, the FBI federal check is the required document. If you need it apostilled for use in a Hague Convention country, only the U.S. Department of State can issue that apostille — not a state office.

Who needs this service?

🇺🇸 Immigrants & USCIS applicants — and Americans moving abroad

US immigration authorities and USCIS frequently require an FBI background check as part of visa, green card, or naturalization applications. Americans moving abroad also need their FBI record apostilled for foreign embassies. We handle both.

💼 Job seekers & professionals

Many US employers, licensing boards, and federal agencies require a criminal background check before hiring or granting a professional license. We deliver the correct level of check — federal, state, or both.

✈️ Americans moving abroad

If you are relocating to another country and they require your US criminal record, we obtain the FBI check and apostille it so it is accepted by foreign authorities — all managed remotely.

What's included in our US criminal record package

🔍 FBI federal background check We guide you through fingerprinting and submit your Identity History Summary request to the FBI CJIS Division. Full remote management from start to finish.
📋 State-level check (if needed) We identify which state authority applies to your case and obtain your state criminal history report in parallel with the federal check.
🔏 Apostille for international use If your document is going abroad, we handle the apostille — U.S. Department of State for FBI records, or the appropriate Secretary of State for state documents.
🌐 Certified translation Sworn certified translation into Spanish, Portuguese, French, or other languages as required by the destination country's authorities.

Required documents

DocumentIssuing authorityEstimated timeNotes
FBI Identity History Summary (federal background check) FBI CJIS Division 10–14 business days Covers all US states. Required for immigration and federal employment purposes.
State-level criminal history report (if required) Secretary of State or State Police (varies by state) 5–10 business days Some employers or agencies require a state-level check in addition to the federal FBI check.
Completed fingerprint card (Form FD-258) Applicant — via US Post Office, law enforcement, or fingerprint provider Before FBI submission Mandatory for FBI submission. We provide step-by-step fingerprinting instructions.
Apostille (if sending document abroad) U.S. Department of State (federal docs) or Secretary of State (state docs) 4–8 weeks standard / 5–7 days expedited FBI documents require a federal apostille from the US State Dept. only — not a state office.
Copy of valid passport or government-issued ID Applicant Current Must match the name used on the FBI or state background check request exactly.

How the process works

1

Tell us your purpose — employment, immigration, visa, or licensing. We determine whether you need the federal FBI check, a state-level check, or both, and confirm if an apostille is required for your destination.

2

We guide you to a fingerprinting provider near you or mail a fingerprint card. Once complete, we submit your request to the FBI CJIS Division and track every status update on your behalf.

3

If you need the document authenticated for use abroad, we submit it for apostille — to the U.S. Department of State for FBI documents, or to the correct Secretary of State for state-level records.

4

If a translation is required by your destination country, we arrange a sworn certified translation. All documents are returned to you by tracked international courier.

Common mistakes — and how we prevent them

  • Using a state apostille for an FBI document — The FBI is a federal agency. Only the U.S. Department of State can apostille FBI documents. State Secretary of State offices will reject the submission.
  • Poor quality fingerprints — The FBI rejects fingerprint cards with smudged or incomplete prints. We review your card before submission and provide detailed rolling instructions.
  • Name discrepancies — Your name on the background check must match your passport exactly, including middle names. Mismatches cause rejections from both US and foreign authorities.
  • Expired certificate — Many foreign authorities require the certificate to be issued within the last 3–6 months of submission. We time the process to your application deadline.

Real client cases

DM
Democratic Memory Law – Name Typo

from USA to Spain

Apostille
The problem was…

An applicant for Spanish citizenship under the Democratic Memory Law had their mother's 40-year-old US Naturalization Certificate rejected because of a minor spelling error in her first name.

We solved it…

The applicant had to petition USCIS for a formal name correction, which carried a 6-month processing delay, requiring them to request an extension from the Spanish consulate.

Result

Name corrected. Spanish citizenship application resumed.

DM
Deferred Master's – Expired FBI Check

from USA to Spain

Apostille
The problem was…

A student deferred their Spanish master's program for a year and tried to reuse their previously apostilled FBI background check for the new visa application.

We solved it…

The consulate rejected it because the underlying criminal record check is only valid for 5 to 6 months from its original date of issuance.

Result

New FBI check obtained. Student visa approved for following year.

FF
FBI Fingerprint Card – Translation Required

from USA to Spain

Apostille
The problem was…

An applicant submitted an apostilled and translated FBI background check to the Spanish consulate, but it was rejected for missing a translation of the physical fingerprint card itself.

We solved it…

The applicant had to hire a sworn translator to translate the English text on the standard FBI FD-258 fingerprint card to get the visa approved.

Result

Visa approved after adding translation of fingerprint card.

View all cases →

Official sources & authorities

Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.

FBI CJIS Division — Identity History Summary Checks Official FBI source for requesting a federal criminal background check. Covers all US states and territories. View source →
U.S. Dept. of State — Office of Authentications (Apostille) The only federal authority for apostilling FBI documents for use in Hague Convention countries. View source →
Hague Apostille Convention (HCCH) The 1961 treaty establishing the apostille. The US is a member country. View source →
USCIS — Background Checks U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services information on background check requirements for immigration proceedings. View source →

Related guides

Guide
How to get an FBI background check from abroad in 2026Laura Chen · March 2026
→Guide
FBI background check for international use: complete guide 2026Laura Chen · March 2026
→

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Laura Chen

Reviewed by

Laura Chen

Legal Document Expert

Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the FBI background check and a state criminal check?

The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal check that covers your entire history across all US states. A state-level check only covers records from that specific state. For immigration and most international purposes, the federal FBI check is required. Some employers additionally request a state check for the state where you currently reside.

Do I need an apostille on my US criminal record certificate?

Only if you are submitting it to a foreign authority. If the destination country is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention, an apostille is sufficient. If not, a different authentication chain (consular legalization) may be required. We advise you on the exact requirement for your destination country.

Can I get a US background check if I am living outside the United States?

Yes. The FBI accepts fingerprint cards submitted by mail from abroad. You can have your fingerprints taken at a local fingerprinting provider, a US embassy or consulate, or through a law enforcement agency in your country. We guide you through the entire process remotely.

How long does an FBI background check take?

Standard FBI processing takes 10–14 business days after submission. Expedited options can reduce this to 3–5 business days. Adding a federal apostille takes an additional 4–8 weeks (standard) or 5–7 business days (expedited). We recommend starting early to avoid delays.

Which apostille authority handles FBI documents?

The U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications is the only valid authority for apostilling FBI documents. FBI records are federal documents — state Secretary of State offices do not have jurisdiction and cannot apostille them.

What if I need both a federal and a state background check?

We can coordinate both checks simultaneously to minimize total processing time. The federal FBI check and state check are submitted to separate authorities, but we manage both and consolidate delivery.

Is a criminal background check the same as a police clearance certificate?

In the US context, the FBI Identity History Summary is the equivalent of what other countries call a "police clearance certificate" or "certificate of no criminal record." The document confirms whether you have a criminal history on file with the FBI.

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Laura Chen Legal Document Expert
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