• Electronic Option
  
• Payment
  
• Fingerprints
  
• General
  
• Challenge
  

1. If I submit my request electronically, will I receive the results faster? Do you have procedures for faster handling?

The requests should be processed faster upon receipt of your completed fingerprint card in the date order they are received. 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 participating U.S. Post Office locations nationwide upon completion of your request. Additional fees may apply. You may also mail your completed fingerprint card to the FBI.

You may also visit an FBI-approved Channeler.

2. If I submit my request electronically, can I receive status notifications?

The option to receive status notifications by e-mail may be selected in the Preferences section during the request process.

3. When using the electronic option, is my personal information secure?

Yes. This is a secure service provided by the FBI.

4. What name will be used on my response?

The name on your response letter will match the name that you entered on your electronic DO request.

5. How do I notify the FBI if my address has changed since I submitted my request for my Identity History Summary or if I want to verify my correct address was submitted?

Please complete and sign the Address Change Request Form and fax it to (304) 625-9792, or scan the form and e-mail it to identity@fbi.gov.

• Changes will not be made unless a signature is present on the form.If the request is submitted electronically, the results should be received faster.
• All requests will be processed in the date order they are received.

1. Does the FBI accept personal checks, business checks, or cash?

No. Do not send personal checks, business checks, or cash, as they are not an acceptable form of payment for Departmental Order (DO) requests. Personal and business checks submitted with a DO request will not be returned and will be destroyed.

2. How much does it cost to request an Identity History Summary Check?

The cost to request an Identity History Summary Check is $18.

3. Do I have to pay $18 for each copy requested if I need more than one copy of my results?

If the option to have a hard copy response mailed is selected during the request process, the FBI will provide one sealed response for each request received. You may make as many copies as needed upon receipt of your response. If submitting electronically, you may print as many copies as needed upon your receipt of the electronic response.

Note: If you need additional sealed responses mailed to the same address or a separate address, you must submit an additional request with another payment of $18 for each sealed response requested. Also, if you need additional copies of your response that do not need to be in a sealed envelope, you may make as many copies as needed upon receipt of your response.

4. What if I can't pay the $18 to request an Identity History Summary Check?

If you are unable to pay the $18 fee, you will need to contact (304) 625-5590 or identity@fbi.gov to receive instructions for requesting a waiver for the fee prior to submitting your request.

5. Does it cost the same to request an Identity History Summary whether I request it via the mail or electronically?

The cost to request an Identity History Summary is the same whether it is requested via the mail or electronically.

6. Can someone else pay for my Identity History Summary?

Yes. They must provide the payment information during the request process.

1. Where can I get my fingerprints taken?

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 participating U.S. Post Office locations nationwide upon completion of your request. Additional fees may apply.

If submitting by mail directly to the FBI, your local, county, or state law enforcement agencies may take your fingerprints for a fee. Also, some printing companies offer this service.

2. What if my fingerprints are continuously rejected?

You should have multiple sets of fingerprints taken, preferably by a fingerprinting technician. This service may be available at a law enforcement agency. Mail all fingerprint cards to the FBI with your request. For more information on taking legible fingerprints, refer to the Recording Legible Fingerprints page.

The FBI does not provide name checks for Identity History Summary requests.

3. Can I use the fingerprint card I download from this site?

Yes, the FBI will accept FD-1164 fingerprint cards on standard white paper stock, but if you go to a law enforcement agency or private fingerprinting agency to be fingerprinted, they may prefer to use a fingerprint card on standard card stock. You may use the fingerprint card provided by the printing agency.

4. Can I use the same fingerprint card I used for my previous Identity History Summary?

No. The FBI requires a current fingerprint card to process your Identity History Summary.

5. Will my fingerprint card be returned?

No. Due to concerns related to the protection of personally identifiable information, fingerprint cards are no longer being returned either for a "no summary" response or with an Identity History Summary.

1. Will I receive my Identity History Summary on blue security paper?

Due to automation of the mailing process, the FBI does not provide Identity History Summary results on blue security paper. All responses will be processed on standard white paper.

2. Do you have procedures for the expeditious handling of Identity History Summary checks?

No. The FBI does not expedite requests; however, the request should be processed faster if it is submitted electronically. The request will be processed in the date order it was received.

3. Will the last four digits of my Social Security number be on my response?

If the last four digits of your Social Security number are needed on your response letter, then please ensure the full nine-digits or last four digits of your Social Security number are on the fingerprint card when submitting your request.

4. How will my Identity History Summary be sent back to me?

The FBI will return all results, both foreign and domestic, by U.S. First-Class Mail via the U.S. Postal Service. If you submitted your request electronically, you will receive a response electronically and an option to receive a response by First-Class Mail via the U.S. Postal Service.

5. Can I send a self-addressed stamped envelope with my request?

Due to automation of the mailing process, the FBI does not accept return self-addressed stamped envelopes with Departmental Order requests.

6. Does the FBI provide apostilles*?

 (*An apostille is a certification that a document has been "legalized" or "authenticated" by the issuing agency through a process in which various seals are placed on the document.)

The FBI will no longer place the FBI seal on U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73 fingerprint search results.  The FBI will authenticate all fingerprint search results by placing the FBI watermark and the signature of a division official on the results at the time of submission.

Documents authenticated by the FBI may then be sent to the U.S. Department of State by the requestor to obtain an apostille if necessary. Requests to authenticate previously processed results will not be accepted.

7. When will I use the "In Care Of" and "Attention" fields?

These fields would be utilized if you are requesting the results be sent to someone other than yourself.  "In Care Of (C/O)" is when addressed to someone who will then deliver it to the intended recipient.  "Attention (ATTN):" is when it is sent to an organization more generally, to ensure that it is known who should receive it within the organization. 

8. If I am having an attorney submit my request will an attorney release be needed?

Yes, in order to provide information to another party, a release will need to be submitted with the request.

9. How can law enforcement entities request certified copies of fingerprints and/or Identity History Summary information?

Visit the Certified Copies of Fingerprint and/or Identity History Summaries page to obtain information on requesting certified copies of fingerprints and/or Identity History Summary information by law enforcement entities.

An individual cannot request a certified copy of fingerprints and/or Identity History Summary information.

1. How do I challenge my Identity History Summary?

Review the Challenge of an Identity History Summary.

2. What is the processing time for challenging my Identity History Summary?

Challenges are processed in the date order they are received. It should be noted that the average response time for challenging your Identity History Summary is within 45 days of receipt of the challenge.

3. Does it cost anything to challenge my Identity History Summary?

No. There are no fees for challenging your Identity History Summary.

4. How do I have my summary information expunged?

Questions regarding the expungement or sealing of nonfederal arrest data should be directed to the State Identification Bureau for the state in which the offense occurred, as these laws vary from state to state. Contact information specific to each state is provided on the FBI's Website under the State Identification Bureau Listing.

Federal arrest data is removed from the FBI Criminal File at the request of the submitting agency or upon the FBI's receipt of a federal court order which specifically states expungement. It is the responsibility of the submitting agency to ensure that requests for the removal of arrest information comply with all federal laws and regulations.

5. Can I challenge information I believe the FBI maintains concerning me if I haven't obtained a copy of my Identity History Summary?

The FBI must have positive identification with an individual's Identity History Summary before information will be released. Arrest data maintained by the FBI is supported by fingerprints, and fingerprint impressions are required so a comparison can be made. This establishes a positive identification and ensures that an individual's summary information is not disseminated to an unauthorized person.  The FBI will not provide or discuss summary information identified by a descriptor search.

6. Do I need to submit documentation, such as a copy of a court docket or expungement order, to support my Identity History Summary challenge?

Your request should clearly identify the information that you feel is inaccurate or incomplete and should include copies of any available proof or documentation to support your claim.

• Email: identity@fbi.gov
  
• Phone: 304-625-5590