FBI INK FINGERPRINT CARDS

How To Obtain Your FBI Record

Make An Appointment

FBI Records and Fingerprinting

AMERITEK ID expert technicians prepare the flawless fd258 Ink Fingerprint Cards needed to successfully complete a FBI Criminal History Record request. Ink card services are available at all our Los Angeles Service Centers. The following are easy-to-follow instructions from the FBI on how to prepare your request. If you need further assistance call us at (818) 995-3011 — we will be happy to answer your questions!

FBI Criminal History Request

The following information is made available to the public on the FBI’s web site. AMERITEK ID has reprinted their most current information here as a convenience to our clients. For detailed instructions and information, please visit the FBI’s website and learn more about how to obtain a FBI Identification Request or “FBI Criminal History” Request.

An FBI Identification Record, often referred to as a Criminal History Record or Rap Sheet, is a listing of certain information taken from fingerprint submissions retained by the FBI in connection with arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service. If the fingerprints are related to an arrest, the Identification Record includes name of the agency that submitted the fingerprints to the FBI, the date of arrest, the arrest charge, and the disposition of the arrest, if known to the FBI. All arrest data included in an Identification Record is obtained from fingerprint submissions, disposition reports and other reports submitted by agencies having criminal justice responsibilities.

An individual may request a copy of his or her own FBI Identification Record for personal review or to challenge information on the Record. Other reasons an individual may request a copy of his or her own Identification Record may include international adoption or to satisfy a requirement to live or work in a foreign country (i.e., police certificate, letter of good conduct, criminal history background, etc.)
If you are requesting a background check for employment or licensing within the United States, you may be required by state statute or federal law to submit your request through your state identification bureau, requesting federal agency or other authorized channeling agency. You should contact the agency requiring the background check or the appropriate state identification bureau (or state police) for the correct procedures to follow for obtaining an FBI fingerprint background check for employment or licensing purposes.
Only you can request a copy of your own Identification Record.

Individuals typically make this request for personal review, to challenge the information on record, to satisfy a requirement for adopting a child in the U.S. or internationally, or to satisfy a requirement to live, work, or travel in a foreign country (i.e., police certificate, letter of good conduct, criminal history background, etc.).

  1. Complete the Applicant Information Form (pdf)
    • If for a couple, family, etc., all persons must sign the form.
    • Include your complete mailing address. Please provide telephone number and/or email address, if available.
  2. Obtain a set of your fingerprints
    • Obtain a set of your fingerprints (original card, no copies). Previously processed cards or copies will not be accepted.
    • Your name and date of birth must be provided on the fingerprint card. Fingerprints should be placed on a standard fingerprint form (FD-258) commonly used for applicant or law enforcement purposes.
    • Include rolled impressions of all 10 fingerprints and impressions of all ten fingerprints taken simultaneously (these are sometimes referred to as plain or flat impressions.)
    • If possible have your fingerprints taken by a fingerprinting technician (this service may be available at a Law Enforcement Agency.)
  3. Submit Payment
    • Option 1: Obtain a money order or cashiers check for $ 18 – U.S. dollars made payable to the Treasury of the United States (please be sure to sign
      where required).
    • Option 2: You may pay by credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form (pdf). Don’t forget to include the expiration date of the credit card that you are using.
    • Important Note: Cash, personal checks, or business checks WILL NOT be accepted.
    • Payment must be for the exact amount.
    • If for a couple, family, etc., include $18 for each person.
    • If you are making multiple requests per person, include $18 for each request.
  4. Mail Review the FBI Identification Record Checklist
    • Review the FBI Identification Record Request Checklist (pdf) to ensure that you have included all the information we require to process your request.
  5. Mail the required items listed above—applicant information form, fingerprint card, and payment—to the following address:
    FBI CJIS Division – Record Request
    1000 Custer Hollow Road
    Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306

    Please Note: If any of the above items are missing or incomplete, the request will be returned. Additional items sent not required for processing will not be returned. Allow approximately 3-4 weeks for processing, upon receipt to the FBI.

If we find no record, you will receive a “no record” response. If you do have a criminal history record on file, you will receive your Identification Record, or “rap sheet.”

Note: Although the FBI employs the most efficient methods for processing these requests, processing times may take up to 12 weeks depending on the volume of requests received.

For more information, vist the responses to some frequently asked questions.

What You Will Need

To properly prepare for your upcoming FBI Fingerprint Card appointment, you will need the following:

  • Social Security Number (if you have one)
  • DOJ Approved Photo ID

You must present a valid photo ID to the fingerprint technician to verify your identity. The following are FBI approved forms of photo identification:

  • Passport
  • California Driver’s License
  • California DMV ID
  • Card Out-of-state Driver’s License
  • Alien Registration / Immigration Green Card
  • Military ID Card
  • Mexican Consulate ID Card (Matricula Consular de Alta Seguridad)