FBI Identity History Summary — the US federal criminal record
FBI Identity History Summary from Abroad
The FBI Identity History Summary is the federal record of your criminal history in the United States. Requesting it from outside the country therefore means submitting fingerprints on an FD-258 card. In short, we capture them, file them and return the report apostilled.
Every FD-258 card is checked against the five most common rejection causes before it reaches the FBI.
Likewise, a compliant FD-258 kit reaches your address with printed instructions for your technician.
Electronic submission to the FBI when you qualify for it, instead of the slower postal route.
Alternatively, capture happens at our Miami office or through a supervised technician in Latin America.
The document
What the FBI Identity History Summary is
The FBI Identity History Summary is the official listing of information taken from fingerprint submissions kept by the FBI. In particular, it covers arrests, federal employment screening, naturalisation and military service across the United States.
People call it many other things. However, the FBI calls it an Identity History Summary, and that is the name printed on the document.
Common names for the same record:
- FBI background check
- Rap sheet
- Criminal history record
- Federal criminal background report
Notably, one request covers all 50 states and every US territory. By contrast, state or county records cover only their own jurisdiction.
Fingerprints
The FD-258 fingerprint card explained
FD-258 is the standard FBI fingerprint card. Specifically, it is a physical card with ten rolled prints, taken with ink or printed from a digital capture. Anyone outside the United States needs one, because remote requests cannot use a live electronic scan at a US facility.
| Method | Where it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| LiveScan | Authorised US centres and our offices | Applicants already in Miami or in one of our LATAM offices |
| FD-258 card, digital print | Anywhere in the world | Applicants abroad — highest acceptance rate of the remote options |
| FD-258 card, ink | Anywhere with a trained technician | Fallback when no digital capture is available |
We ship the kit, capture or supervise the prints and check the card before it goes to the FBI.
The problem
Why fingerprint submissions get rejected
Rejection is the most expensive part of this process. As a result, the FBI returns the card, the clock restarts and the applicant pays again.
- Smudged or double-rolled prints. Ridges blur when the finger is pressed too hard or rolled twice.
- Wrong card stock. Consequently, photocopies, thin paper and wrong dimensions are refused automatically.
- Incomplete demographic fields. For example, a missing date of birth or a mismatched name voids the submission.
- Faint ridge detail. Moreover, manual labourers and older applicants often have worn ridge detail that needs a specific technique.
- An unsigned or undated card. Similarly, a missing applicant signature or a blank date field voids the submission before it is ever read.
Every card we send is reviewed against these five points first. That is why our submissions come back cleared.
The service
What your FBI Identity History Summary includes
- FD-258 kit shipped to your address, with printed instructions
- Fingerprint capture at our Miami office or through a supervised local technician
- Quality review of every card before submission
- Filing to the FBI through the route your case allows, electronic wherever it is available
- FBI Identity History Summary in official format, delivered digitally and on paper
- Apostille from the US Department of State when your destination requires it
How we work
How we file your FBI Identity History Summary
- Assessment. Tell us where you are and what the report is for. Then we confirm whether you need an apostille and a translation.
- Kit or appointment. Your FD-258 kit ships within one business day. Alternatively, you book a slot at our Miami office.
- Capture and review. First, a technician captures the prints. We review the card and ask for a retake if anything looks weak.
- Filing. We file through the route your case allows and follow the request until the FBI releases the report.
- Delivery. Your FBI Identity History Summary arrives apostilled and translated if required.
Rates
Pricing
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Fingerprints + FBI check (Miami) | $110 USD | LiveScan capture at our Miami office and federal filing |
| Fingerprints + FD-258 card (LATAM office) | $188 USD | Capture abroad and an official card ready to file |
| Full remote package | $390 USD | Kit, capture, filing and complete certified processing |
A rejected card costs more than the review that prevents it. In addition, our quote includes one free retake.
Trust
Why Compliance Officers
- We review before we file. Every card passes a five-point check before it reaches the FBI Identity History Summary queue.
- The right filing route. Not every applicant qualifies for an approved channel, so we confirm which route applies to you and file accordingly.
- One provider, whole chain. In other words, kit, capture, filing, apostille and translation come from one provider.
- Two continents. Offices in Miami and in Latin America, so capture happens near you.
- A real company. In addition, a real address, a direct phone line and a named case handler.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an FBI background check and an Identity History Summary?
Nothing. They are two names for the same document. FBI Identity History Summary is the official term printed on the record. Background check, rap sheet and criminal history record, however, are informal names.
Can I request it online without submitting fingerprints?
No. The FBI matches records by fingerprint, not by name, so every request needs prints. The online part is only application and payment. Name-only searches sold by private websites are not the federal record, and consulates reject them.
What is an FD-258 card and where do I get one?
FD-258 is the standard FBI fingerprint card. Blank cards must meet specific paper and dimension standards, which is why photocopies get rejected. We therefore ship a compliant kit anywhere in the world, with the instructions your technician needs.
How long does the FBI take to issue the report?
Filing through an approved channel typically takes three to five weeks from a correct submission. By contrast, cards mailed directly to the FBI in Clarksburg, West Virginia take longer. Not every applicant qualifies for the channel route, so we confirm which one applies to you before filing. A rejected card restarts the clock entirely, which is why we review every card before sending it.
Do I need an apostille?
Only if the document will be used outside the United States. Hague Convention countries require a seal from the US Department of State. Otherwise, consular legalisation applies. Tell us the destination and we will confirm which one.
My fingerprints were rejected before. Can you still help?
Yes, and it is a frequent request. Worn ridge detail responds to a different technique, including moisturising protocols and adjusted pressure. We assess the previous rejection notice first, then choose the method most likely to clear.
Next step
Get your FBI Identity History Summary right the first time
Send us your location and the purpose of the report. Then we will confirm the capture method, the exact cost and a realistic delivery date.
Compliance Officers LLC · 175 SW 7th ST, Suite 1905, Miami, FL 33130 · +1.305.647.3000 · info@complianceofficers.org