Getting the Background Check
Getting the Apostille
Getting the Translation

If you’re planning to work or study abroad, chances are you will need to obtain a background check. When I applied for my visa, I had the option of getting a state-level, or national (FBI-level) background check. Five years ago, I applied for the state background check because it was cheaper and easier. However, to work and study with my current program, applicants are required to have the FBI-level background check and apostille.

The process was extremely straightforward and extremely fast. I received my FBI background check just hours after completing my fingerprint appointment doing the following Option 1. 

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GETTING THE BACKGROUND CHECK

Option 1: If you are in the U.S you can submit your fingerprints electronically at select U.S Post Office Locations. 

• Step 1: First you will submit an application request online by entering your email here: https://www.edo.cjis.gov/

• Step 2: You will receive an email with a link and a pin. Follow the link and enter your pin.
  • Fill in the application form with your information and submit your payment ($18). 

• Step 3: Fingerprint appointment at select U.S Post Offices. 
  • ***You need to fill out the application with the USPS here:***
    USPS Fingerprinting Services Registration
  • Locations: https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/org/USPS
  • You must bring your passport, the confirmation email with your order number, and payment. (I paid $50 by credit card in 2022 in California but not sure if the price is the same nationwide)
  • Here is the confirmation email you need to bring with your order number.

• Step 4: They will email you a PDF file with your background check results which you will need the code or you can access it using the same link and code from the first email. 

***Make sure to check the fingerprinting hours they may be different from the normal post office hours.***  

(I recommend doing this option because I was sent my background check results within hours of scanning them at the post office and completed this entire process in a few hours.) 

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Option 2: Mailing your fingerprint card 

• Step 1: Complete the application form. https://forms.fbi.gov/criminal-history-summary-checks-review/

• Step 2: Obtain your fingerprints
  • Your fingerprints should be placed on a standard fingerprint form (FD-1164) commonly used for applicant or law enforcement purposes. The FBI will accept FD-1164 fingerprint cards on standard white paper stock.
    • https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/fd-1164-identity-history-summary-request-110120.pdf/view

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If you’re in the U.S.: 

• Have your fingerprints taken by a fingerprinting technician. This service may be available at a law enforcement agency. The FBI recommends that red or purple ink not be used for fingerprinting.

• Fingerprints taken with ink or via live scan are acceptable. If your fingerprints are taken via a live scan device, a hard copy must be generated so the fingerprint card can be mailed to the FBI.

• The name on your response letter will match the name indicated on the fingerprint card when your application, payment, and fingerprint card are submitted via the mail.

• 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.
• You can also stamp your fingerprints yourself, however, if they are unreadable or not accepted for any reason you will have to pay again to redo your fingerprints which can delay the process.

If you’re in Madrid:

You can get your fingerprints taken at the police station, Calle de Julián González Segador. The fingerprinting is only available Thursday mornings from 9-9:15 am. Make sure to bring a valid passport/ ID and be prepared for the process to take a few hours. (You also can stamp your fingerprints yourself, however, if they are unreadable or not accepted for any reason you will have to pay again and redo the fingerprints which can delay the entire process.)

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• Step 3: Payment 
  • Option 1: Pay by credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form. 
  • Option 2: Obtain a money order or certified check for $18 U.S. dollars made payable to the Treasury of the United States. 

*Important note: Cash, personal checks, or business checks WILL NOT be accepted, and sending any of these will delay the processing of your request.*

• Step 4: Mail the signed applicant information form, fingerprint card, and payment of $18 U.S. dollars per person—to the following address:

FBI CJIS Division- Summary Request

1000 Custer Hollow Road

Clarksburg, WV 26306

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Option 3: Submit Your Request to an FBI-Approved Channeler

Here is a list of F.B.I approved channelers https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelers-for-departmental-order-submissions

*From what I saw, doing this was more expensive than the other options. 

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Lastly, you will receive your background check results either by email with a secure link or First-Class Mail via the U.S. Postal Service. 

Please consult the official F.B.I government website for clarification and more information about these options. 

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

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GETTING THE APOSTILLE 

Once you have your background check you can apply for the Apostille from the US Department of State. If you’ve received your results via email, print the PDF to be sent to obtain an apostille.

• Step 1: Fill out the following form 
  https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds4194.PDF
  ***On the form, it says that the cost is $8, however, the cost is $20 which I paid by a check made out to the U.S. Department of State. I ended up calling the Office of Authentications for clarification on this. ***

• Step 2: Mail the form, your background check, a check or money order for $20 made out to the US Department of State, and a prepaid self-addressed return envelope to:
  Office of Authentications
  U.S. Department of State
  CA/PPT/S/TO/AUT
  44132 Mercure Circle
  P.O. Box 1206
  Sterling, VA  20166-1206

They suggest using trackable mail, but I opted for the cheaper option and just used the regular mail which ended up costing less than 3 dollars for the return envelope and to mail the entire packet.

The document should be processed in about 2-3 weeks after them receiving your request.

*** I received my apostilled background check exactly 9 (NINE!) weeks after sending it in. Processing times are super slow right now so I recommend starting this process ASAP. ****

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been multiple updates to the apostille process, so we recommend referring directly to their website and following the most up-to-date instructions provided here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/apostille-requirements.html

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Getting the Translation

Once you have the background check and apostille, you will most likely need to get these documents translated.

I used Rocío Sanz-Pastor del Olmo, who is an English-Spanish Sworn Translator to translate my documents. It was so fast and affordable. I emailed her the copies of my documents and she was able to provide the sworn translation in just a few hours (it usually takes a day or more)!

Her email is rocio.sanzpastor@gmail.com and her phone number is +34 647-994-268. Feel free to let her know that I sent you 🙂

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