FBI Fingerprinting & Background Check Services in Portland, Oregon
PDX Fingerprinting provides complete FBI fingerprinting and background check services in Portland, Oregon. Whether you need an FBI Identity History Summary for employment, a visa application, immigration, adoption, or personal review, our certified team handles every step: live scan fingerprinting, FBI submission via our FBI-approved channeler, and optional apostille certification for international use.
Three convenient locations in Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, and Beaverton. Plus mobile fingerprinting that comes to you. Expedited results available in 24–48 hours.
✓ FBI-Approved Channeler ✓ 7+ Years Serving Portland ✓ Women-Owned ✓ Same-Day Available ✓ Mobile Service
What Is an FBI Background Check?
An FBI background check formally called an FBI Identity History Summary or RAP sheet is an official report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation showing a person’s complete federal criminal history. It is compiled from fingerprint records submitted to the FBI’s Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS).
Unlike a state background check (which only shows records within one state), an FBI background check covers criminal history records from all 50 U.S. states and federal agencies. This is why most foreign governments, international employers, and federal licensing boards require an FBI background check not just a state-level one.
Who Needs an FBI Background Check?
| Who Needs It | Common Scenarios |
|---|---|
| Visa & Work Abroad | Teaching English abroad (South Korea, China, Japan, Spain), long-stay visas (Mexico, Portugal, Italy), retirement visas most destination countries require an FBI Identity History Summary |
| Immigration (USCIS) | Green card applications (I-485), citizenship (N-400), family petitions (I-130), DACA renewals, immigration pre-determination by attorneys |
| Employment | Federal positions, law enforcement, licensed professions (healthcare, finance, real estate, education), FINRA-regulated roles, childcare workers, school employees |
| Professional Licensing | Oregon real estate brokers, healthcare licensing, Oregon Teaching License (TSPC), social work, pharmacy, insurance all require fingerprint-based FBI checks |
| Adoption | Both domestic and international adoption processes require FBI background checks for prospective adoptive parents |
| Personal Review | Review your own federal criminal record for accuracy before applying for jobs, housing, or licenses |
| ATF / FFL Licensing | Federal Firearms License applicants and their employees PDX provides ATF fingerprint cards and EFT file creation |
| USPS & UPS Employment | Postal Service and UPS employment background checks processed through fingerprinting |
How FBI Fingerprinting Works at PDX Fingerprinting Step by Step
- Get Fingerprinted: Visit any of our three Portland-area locations (Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Beaverton) or request our mobile fingerprinting service. We capture your fingerprints using state-of-the-art live scan technology (digital, no ink) or prepare FBI standard ink fingerprint cards (FD-258) if required by your agency.
- FBI Submission: As an FBI-Approved Channeler, we submit your fingerprints directly to the FBI electronically. This is faster and more accurate than mailing fingerprints yourself. Expedited channeler processing returns results in as little as 24–48 hours. Standard submission: 2–4 weeks.
- Receive Your FBI Identity History Summary: Your official FBI background check is returned electronically to your email (EDO Electronic Delivery Option) or by USPS mail. The report shows your complete federal criminal history record as maintained by the FBI.
- Apostille (if needed): If you need the document authenticated for international use, PDX Fingerprinting submits your FBI Identity History Summary to the U.S. Department of State for apostille certification, all in one process.
Live Scan vs. Ink Fingerprinting Which Do You Need?
| Method | What It Is | When It’s Required |
|---|---|---|
| Live Scan (Electronic) | Digital, no ink. More accurate, fewer rejections. Submitted electronically. Required by most Oregon agencies, TSPC, OHA, ODHS, and FBI channeler submissions. | Most agencies. If unsure, choose live scan; it’s the modern standard. |
| Ink Fingerprint Cards (FD-258) | Physical cards with inked fingerprints. Required by some federal agencies, including ATF, some foreign governments, and certain state boards. | ATF, NFA transfers, some federal licensing boards, and some foreign visa applications. |
| SF-87 / FD-1164 | Specialized fingerprint card formats for specific federal positions. | USPS, certain federal government employment applications. |
FBI Background Check for Visa & Immigration
If you are planning to live, teach, work, or retire abroad, an FBI background check is almost certainly required, and most countries also require it to be apostilled before they will accept it.
PDX Fingerprinting is one of Portland’s only providers that handles the complete visa background check bundle in a single visit:
- Live scan fingerprinting (or ink cards)
- FBI submission via approved channeler expedited results in 24–48 hours
- U.S. Department of State apostille certification (required by Hague Convention countries)
- ATA-certified translation (if your destination country requires the document in their language)
| Destination Country | What’s Required |
|---|---|
| South Korea (E-2 Visa) | FBI Identity History Summary + apostille. Must be issued within 6 months of visa application. |
| Spain (Work/NLV Visa) | FBI Identity History Summary + apostille from U.S. Dept. of State. |
| Mexico (Residency) | FBI Identity History Summary + apostille required for temporary and permanent residency visas. |
| Italy (Elective Residency) | FBI check + apostille. Must be recent. |
| Portugal (D7 / NHR Visa) | FBI Identity History Summary + apostille. |
| UAE / China | FBI check + embassy authentication (these countries are not Hague Convention members different process, PDX handles both). |
| All other Hague Convention Countries | FBI Identity History Summary + U.S. Dept. of State apostille. PDX handles both. |
FBI Background Check Processing Times
| Option | Timeline & Details |
|---|---|
 Expedited FBI-Approved Channeler (EDO) | 24–48 business hours. PDX Fingerprinting submits electronically via our approved channeler. Results returned to your email. Most popular option. |
| Standard Direct FBI Submission | 2–4 weeks. PDX prepares your fingerprints; you submit them directly to the FBI via mail. Lower cost but significantly slower. |
| FBI + Apostille Bundle (Expedited) | Allow 2–3 weeks total. FBI: 2–3 business days. U.S. Dept. of State apostille: 15 business days. PDX manages the complete handoff. |
| FBI + Apostille Bundle (Standard) | Allow 6–10 weeks total. FBI: 2–4 weeks. Apostille: additional 2–4 weeks standard government processing. |
Why Choose PDX Fingerprinting for Your FBI Background Check?
FBI-Approved Channeler: We submit directly to the FBI electronically faster and more reliable than mail submission. Expedited results in 24–48 hours.- Complete Bundle in One Visit: Fingerprinting + FBI submission + apostille + translation you don’t have to coordinate with multiple providers.
- Three Convenient Locations: Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, and Beaverton. Walk-ins welcome. Same-day appointments available.
- Mobile Service Available: Our certified technician comes to your home, office, or any Portland-area location. Evening and weekend availability.
- Veteran-Owned & Women-Owned: A locally owned Portland business serving our community since 2018.
- Strict Confidentiality: Your biometric and personal information is handled with the highest level of security. We do not share your information with any third party.
Ready to Get Your FBI Background Check?
Three locations in Portland area. Same-day available. Walk-ins welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit PDX Fingerprinting at any of our three Portland-area locations in Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, or Beaverton or request mobile service. We capture your fingerprints via live scan, submit them to the FBI via our approved channeler, and your Identity History Summary is returned to you electronically in 24-48 hours (expedited) or 2-4 weeks (standard). Call (503) 212-0678 or book online at pdxfingerprinting.com.
An FBI Identity History Summary also called a RAP sheet is your official federal criminal history record maintained by the FBI. It shows arrests, charges, and dispositions from all 50 U.S. states and federal agencies. It is different from a state background check, which only covers one state. Most employers, foreign governments, and federal licensing boards require the federal FBI record, not just a state check.
Standard FBI background checks take 2-4 weeks by mail. PDX Fingerprinting uses an FBI-approved channeler, which can reduce this to 2-3 business days for electronic delivery (eDO). Both options are available
Yes. Most foreign countries require a U.S. FBI Identity History Summary for visa applications, long-stay permits, work visas, and residency applications. PDX Fingerprinting handles visa background checks and can add apostille certification to authenticate the document for international use in any Hague Convention country.
Live scan is digital, faster, and more accurate. Ink cards (FD-258) are physical. Most agencies accept live scan, but some still require ink cards. PDX Fingerprinting provides both and will tell you which your requesting agency requires.
Yes. PDX Fingerprinting provides the complete FBI apostille bundle in one process: live scan fingerprinting, FBI submission via approved channeler, and U.S. Department of State apostille certification. This is required if you are using your FBI background check in any of the 125+ Hague Convention member countries for teaching abroad, working internationally, establishing foreign residency, or obtaining dual citizenship.
Visit pdxfingerprinting.com/pricing or call (503) 212-0678 for current pricing. Our fee includes the fingerprinting service. The FBI charges a separate processing fee. Bundle pricing is available when combining fingerprinting, FBI submission, and apostille in one service.
Yes. PDX Fingerprinting’s mobile fingerprinting team travels to your home, office, or any location throughout Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Tigard, Gresham, and surrounding Oregon communities. Mobile FBI fingerprinting appointments are available Monday through Friday, with evening and weekend slots available. Call (503) 212-0678.
Yes. PDX Fingerprinting regularly processes FBI background checks for green card applications (I-485), citizenship (N-400), family petitions (I-130), DACA renewals, and immigration pre-determination. Our ATA-certified translators can also translate the resulting FBI report if required by USCIS or a foreign government.
Rejected fingerprints are rare with PDX Fingerprinting high-resolution live scan equipment, but they do occasionally occur particularly for older clients with worn fingerprints. If your prints are rejected, PDX Fingerprinting will re-fingerprint you at no additional charge and resubmit to the FBI.
