Whether you need an FBI background check for immigration depends on which country’s immigration process you are in. Many people pay for fingerprinting they don’t need, while others miss a document that holds up a visa abroad. This guide explains who actually needs one, how to get it, and how to avoid delays.
Short answer: If you are applying for a U.S. green card or citizenship, USCIS takes your fingerprints itself at a biometrics appointment, so you usually don’t need your own FBI check. If you are moving to, working in, or getting a visa for another country (Spain, Portugal, Canada, Costa Rica, Australia and many more), you usually need an FBI Identity History Summary, often with an apostille. PDX Fingerprinting handles the prints, the electronic FBI submission and the apostille. Book an appointment.
Do you need your own FBI check? A quick guide
| Your situation | Do you need your own FBI check? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. green card (I-485), citizenship (N-400), work permit (I-765) | Usually no | Attend your USCIS biometrics appointment. USCIS sends your prints for FBI background and security checks. |
| Visa, residency or work permit for another country | Usually yes | Get an FBI Identity History Summary, then an apostille if the country requires it. |
| Studying, teaching or marrying abroad | Often yes | Check the consulate’s checklist; most ask for an apostilled FBI check issued within 3–6 months. |
| USCIS asked you for court records | Not an FBI check | Request certified court dispositions from the court that handled the case. |
| You want to see your own record before applying | Optional but smart | Get your FBI Identity History Summary to check for old arrests or errors first. |
USCIS describes what its biometrics are used for on its biometrics appointment page. Always follow the instructions on your own notice or consulate checklist.
How to get an FBI background check for immigration abroad
- Confirm the requirements. Ask the consulate or immigration authority whether they want the FBI Identity History Summary, how recent it must be, and whether it needs a federal apostille or translation.
- Get fingerprinted. Electronic (Live Scan) prints are fastest. Ink FD-258 cards work too but must be mailed.
- Submit to the FBI. Electronic submissions through the FBI’s system typically return results in days rather than weeks. The FBI fee is $18 if you apply yourself.
- Get the apostille if required. FBI checks are federal documents, so the apostille comes from the U.S. Department of State, not the Oregon Secretary of State.
- Translate if required. Some countries (Spain, for example) also ask for a certified translation of the check and apostille.
Our FBI background check for visa and immigration service covers steps 2 and 3, and our FBI apostille service and certified translation cover steps 4 and 5. See current prices on our pricing page.
Where to get fingerprinted for immigration in the Portland area
- 9620 NE Tanasbourne Dr, Suite 300, Hillsboro, OR 97124
- 5 Centerpointe Dr, Suite 400, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
- 1500 NW Bethany Blvd, Suite 200, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Or mobile fingerprinting at your home or office anywhere in the Portland metro
Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday 9am–2pm. Bring an unexpired government photo ID (a passport if your ID is from another country) and any form or code your consulate gave you.
Common mistakes that delay immigration paperwork
- Paying for a private FBI check for a U.S. green card when USCIS will take your prints anyway
- Using a state background check when the consulate asked for an FBI check
- Getting an apostille from the Oregon Secretary of State for an FBI check (it must come from the U.S. Department of State)
- Letting the check expire: many countries only accept checks issued in the last 3–6 months
- Smudged ink cards that the FBI rejects. See why immigration fingerprint submissions get rejected.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an FBI background check for a green card?
Usually not. USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment and uses your fingerprints for its own FBI background and security checks. Follow the instructions in your USCIS notice.
How long does an FBI background check take for a visa abroad?
Electronic submissions usually come back within a few days. Mailed ink cards can take a couple of weeks plus mail time. Add more time if you need an apostille. See how long an FBI apostille takes.
Can you fingerprint me at home for an immigration check?
Yes. Our mobile fingerprinting team comes to homes and offices across Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego and Vancouver.
Is a state background check the same as an FBI check?
No. A state check only covers that state’s records. Most foreign governments ask specifically for the FBI Identity History Summary. See FBI vs. regular background checks.
