Frequently Asked Questions

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

The FBI will provide one sealed response for each request received. You may make as many copies as needed upon receipt of your 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.

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

Yes. They must complete the Credit Card Payment Form with the cardholder’s signature or obtain a money order or certified check for $18 U.S. dollars made payable to the Treasury of the United States. Please be sure to sign where required.  If paying by credit card, don’t forget to include the expiration date of the credit card that you are using. 

4. Do you have procedures for expeditious handling?

No. The CJIS Division does not expedite requests; however, an expedited response may be provided by an FBI-approved Channeler.

5. Where can I get my fingerprints taken?

If submitting 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; check the yellow pages in your telephone book or search online.

If using the Channeler option, please contact the FBI-approved Channeler for information on how to get your fingerprints taken.

6. 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 CJIS Division with your request. For more information on taking legible fingerprints, refer to the Recording Legible Fingerprints brochure.

Note: The FBI does not provide name checks for DO requests.

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

Yes, the FBI will accept FD-258 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 United States Postal Service.

11. What name will be used on my response?

The name on your response letter will match the name indicated on your fingerprint card.

12.  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 your full nine-digit social security number is on the fingerprint card when submitting your request.

13. 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@ic.fbi.gov.

Note: Changes will not be made unless a signature is present on the form.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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 CJIS Division will authenticate all U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73 fingerprint search results by placing the FBI seal and the signature of a division official on the results at the time of submission.

Note: The FBI seal is no longer a raised seal. 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.

17. How do I challenge my FBI record?

Review the Challenge of an Identity History Summary to obtain information regarding your FBI Identity History Summary.

18. 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.

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