Your FBI Identity History Summary can look confusing the first time you see it. This guide explains what you will receive, how to read each part, and what to do if something is wrong or missing.
Need this done in the Portland area? PDX Fingerprinting offers FBI background check fingerprinting at our Beaverton, Hillsboro and Lake Oswego offices, plus mobile service across the Portland metro. Book an appointment online.
What you receive
- No record: a letter or response stating that no criminal history record was found based on your fingerprints. This is the most common result.
- A record: an Identity History Summary listing arrests and, where reported, the outcome of each.
How to read a record, section by section
| Section | What it means |
|---|---|
| Identification | Your name, date of birth and physical details as reported by agencies, plus FBI identifiers |
| Arrest / booking | Date, the agency that arrested or fingerprinted you, and the charges listed at the time |
| Court / disposition | What happened: dismissed, convicted, acquitted, deferred, etc. This part is sometimes missing |
| Custody / supervision | Jail, prison, probation or parole entries, if reported |
The most important thing to check is whether each arrest has a final outcome listed. An arrest without a disposition can make a dismissed case look unresolved.
Common terms
- Disposition: the final outcome of a charge.
- Deferred / diversion: a program that can lead to dismissal after conditions are met.
- Nolle prosequi / not prosecuted: the prosecutor dropped the charge.
- Expunged / set aside / sealed: the record was cleared or restricted by a court; the FBI must be notified to reflect it.
What to do if something is wrong
- Get certified court records for the case from the court that handled it.
- Ask the agency that reported the arrest (or your state identification bureau) to update the FBI.
- Or challenge the record with the FBI directly, online or by mail, including copies of your court documents.
- Request an updated summary once you are notified the record was corrected.
The FBI checks challenged entries with the agency that submitted them and notifies you of the outcome (see this FBI challenge summary).
Using your report abroad
If your FBI check is going to another country, you may need a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State. See our FBI apostille service.
Need a fresh copy of your report?
If your report is old or you need one for a new purpose, request a new one. Our FBI background check service takes your prints and submits the request electronically for $135, or $295 with an apostille for use abroad. Book an appointment online.
Who can request your FBI report
- You, for personal review, visas, immigration abroad, adoption or to correct errors
- Authorized agencies, such as licensing boards, government employers and some regulated industries, with your fingerprints and consent
Agencies receive the same FBI record, but often with extra state records. If you want to see what an agency will see, request your own copy first.
Frequently asked questions
Does “no record” mean I have never been arrested?
It means no fingerprint-based record was found in FBI files. Arrests that were never fingerprinted or reported may not appear.
Can an employer see my FBI report?
Only if they are authorized and you consented, or you choose to share it. See what shows up on an FBI fingerprint check.
