Forms & Procedures

National Background Information makes ordering a copy of your FBI Criminal Report fast, simple and safe. For those that have never checked their personal criminal history before, this page provides an overview of the forms and procedures needed to order your report, followed by complete step-by-step instructions.

A summary of this information is available on the Order Report page for our experienced users.

Get Application Forms and Instructions by Email

Email Address

Completing My Application Forms

Ordering a copy of your personal FBI Criminal Report begins with completing both pages of the FBI Identity History Summary Request Form and Order and Disclaimer. This form is required with all orders.

Payment can be made using cashier's check, money order or credit card. When paying by credit card, be sure to include the Credit Card Authorization form.

If you would like your FBI Criminal Report delivered directly to your attorney, you must include the Attorney Release form, printed on the attorney's letterhead. This form must be signed by both the applicant and attorney.

Lastly, the FBI requires that everyone requesting a copy of their FBI Criminal Report be aware of the rules and regulations governing how criminal history information may be requested and utilized. As a requirement of ordering your report, please read our FAQ, either online or as a PDF you can save to your computer.

If you have a criminal history record, you have the opportunity to complete or challenge the accuracy of the information in the record. You should be afforded a reasonable amount of time to correct or complete the record. The procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or updating of your FBI criminal history record are set forth in Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 16.30 through 16.34. Information on how to review and challenge your FBI criminal history record can be found at FBI Criminal History Challenge Information or by calling (304) 625-5590. For more information regarding the Privacy Act, you can view and/or download a copy of the Applicant’s Privacy Rights.

Forms needed to request your report are in the Forms list on the righthand side of this page, near the top. All forms can be downloaded and saved to your computer.

Capturing My Fingerprints

Fingerprints can be captured and submitted electronically at a National Background Information Preferred Live Scan Locationview locations.

If a preferred Live Scan location is not located near you, most local law enforcement agencies – police, sheriff offices and campus security departments – will "roll" your fingerprints for a small fee. Our list of over 14,000 locations will help you locate a fingerprinting site nearby. Please be sure to bring two forms of identification for verification, at least one of which must be a government issued photo ID.

Most fingerprinting locations use the standard FBI Fingerprint Form (FD-258). If you're not sure, it's a good idea to confirm that your fingerprints are being taken on an FBI approved fingerprint card. The person taking your fingerprints should be a trained technician.

While it is not required because of the extra cost involved, some customers have two sets of prints taken. Poor quality prints may be rejected by the FBI, and even an experienced fingerprint technician can have a difficult time getting good prints on some applicants. Work-worn hands with faded skin texture make fingerprints more difficult to roll.

If turnaround time on your order is critical, consider sending two fingerprint cards. If the first fingerprint card is rejected by the FBI because of poor fingerprint quality, we can quickly submit the prints from the second card, saving valuable time.

When submitting two fingerprint cards, you will be contacted for authorization before the second set of prints are submitted to the FBI. Each submission to the FBI will incur the standard report fee.

Submitting My Forms & Fingerprints

National Background Information works with Preferred Live Scan Locations that can electronically capture and submit your fingerprint images. Please check our list of fingerprinting locations to see if a preferred Live Scan facility is located near you.

Submitting at a Preferred Live Scan Location

When fingerprints are captured at a Preferred Live Scan Location, the Live Scan servcie provider will collect your application documents and submit your fingerprints directly to National Background Information. Electronic submissions eliminates mailing fingerprint cards, which may shorten the time it takes to recieve your personal criminal history report. Please be sure to bring two forms of identification for verification, at least one of which must be a government issued photo ID.

Since many parts of the country are not serviced by a Live Scan facility, customers can visit a local law enforcement agency to have their fingerprints captured. Please follow the instructions below when mailing your fingerprint cards and application forms.

Submitting by Mail

When submitting fingerprints taken by a law enforcment agency or similar provider, you may use a large envelope and standard US Mail to send your application forms and fingerprint cards to National Credit Reporting. Do not fold the fingerprint card(s).

For faster turn around time, use USPS Priority Mail or an overnight delivery service when submitting your order. We recommend sending photocopies of two forms of Identification, at least one of which must be a government issued photo ID, to help verify and expedite the processing of your FBI report request.

Send your completed forms and fingerprints to:

National Credit Reporting
ATTN: FBI Consumer Report Request
6830 Via Del Oro, Suite 105
San Jose, CA 95119

All orders must include a signed copy of the two page FBI Identity History Summary Request Form and Order and Disclaimer, at least one fingerprint card and payment in the form of cashier's check, money order or credit card.

Please review the Completing My Forms section of this page for other forms that may be needed with your application.

Online Access and Receiving My Report

Following FBI guidelines, your FBI Criminal Report will be printed on tamper-proof paper to prevent changes or modifications. One printed copy of your personal criminal history report is included with each order. For a small fee, additional copies can be requested when you place your order.

An online access code will be emailed to you when the report is ready, usually within 24 to 48 hours after we receive your fingerprints. Be sure to clearly print your email address on the application form. Online access to your report is included at no extra charge.

To view your FBI Criminal Report online, begin by creating an account on our secure website. An email will be sent to you to activate the account. Log into your new account and follow the link to enter the online access code. Because of FBI restrictions, online access is limited to IP Addresses originating within the United States. Reports must be accessed within 30 days and will be purged within 24 hours after they are accessed for the first time.

Important Note: FBI security standards require that we purge all FBI Criminal Report information after it has been delivered to the applicant. Because of these guidelines, additional copies of an old report cannot be purchased. However, you can submit new fingerprints at any time.

You should receive your FBI Criminal Record report within 5-7 business days when using standard shipping – USPS First Class Mail.

Delivery time can be shortened to 2-3 business days with USPS Priority Mail, or overnight by using FedEx. Additional fees apply for premium shipping.

Estimated delivery times are from the time your application and fingerprint card(s) are received and processed by National Background Information. Orders are normally processed the day they are received; however, an incomplete application or missing information will delay processing. If you have not received your results within 14 days of your request, please contact our office.

Additional copies of the report will be in separate, sealed envelopes but mailed in the same First Class, USPS Priority Mail or FedEx envelope, depending on your shipping choice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This section provides step-by-step instructions for completing your application forms, obtaining a copy of your fingerprints and submitting your order to National Background Information.

Step 1 – Completing My Forms

The first document to complete is the two page FBI Identity History Summary Rquestion Form and Order and Disclaimer. This form is required with all orders.

When paying by credit card, include the Credit Card Authorization form. If you would like your order sent directly to an attorney, you must include the Attorney Release. Detailed instructions for each form are included below.

The forms are in the Forms list on the righthand side of this page, near the top. All forms can be downloaded, saved to your computer, and completed off-line.

FBI Identity History Summary Request Form

This form is required with all orders. Required fields are marked with a red asterisk and highlighted in bold.

Applicant Information

The applicant's first name, last name and date of birth are required. Please use your surname or "family name" for your last name. Use your "given name" as your first name and if you have more than one middle name, please list them on separate lines.

Applicant Home Address

The applicant's full home address is required. This includes the street address, city, state, postal or zip code and country.

Applicants must indicate if they are a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (green card). If you are not a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, you must order your report directly from the FBI. Visit the FBI website for more information.

Home phone number and an email address are not required, but are helpful if we need to contact you about your order. We encourage you to include this information.

Mail Results to This Address

Please be aware that National Background Information can only mail FBI criminal history results to addresses in the United States.

You do not need to complete this section if you would like your FBI Criminal Report results mailed to the applicant's home address.

FBI criminal history records can only be mailed to the applicant's attorney. When completing this section to have your results mailed to your attorney, you must include the Attorney Release form.

Shipping

Please check one of the Shipping Option boxes and enter the corresponding shipping fee in the payment column.

  • USPS First Class Mail
  • USPS Priority Mail (2-3 Day Delivery)
  • FedEx (Overnight Delivery)

Additional Copies

To prevent forgeries and alterations, your FBI Criminal Report will be printed on special paper that creates a "VOID" watermark on photocopies. Please be aware that you will not be able to make unaltered copies of your FBI Criminal Report.

Enter the number of extra copies you would like included with your order and enter the total charges in the payment column. If you only need one copy of your FBI Criminal Report, you do not have to enter anything on this line.

Additional copies of the report will be in separate, sealed envelopes but mailed in the same First Class, USPS Priority Mail or FedEx envelope, depending on your shipping choice.

Important Note: FBI security standards require that we purge all FBI Criminal Report information after it has been delivered to the applicant. Because of these guidelines, additional copies of an old report cannot be purchased. However, you can submit new fingerprints at any time.

Total Payment

Please enter your order total on the "Total FBI Report Payment" line. This should include the base report fee, premium shipping fee, if any, and the total cost of additional copies of the criminal history report.

Payment Type

For payments with Visa, MasterCard or American Express, please include a completed and signed Credit Card Authorization form. When paying by Cashier's Check or Money Order, please make the payment payable to National Credit Reporting.

Signature and Date

Don't forget to sign and date your application.

Order and Discliamer

This document is required with all orders and can be downloaded as part of the FBI Identity History Summary Request Form. The Order and Disclaimer includes an affidavit stating that the information on your FBI Identity History Summary Request Form is true and correct, and that the fingerprint card(s) you are submitting have your fingerprint impressions.

Affidavit Statement

Don't forget to sign and date the order and disclaimer affidavit statement at the bottom of this form.

Attorney Release

U.S. Departmental Order 556-73 authorizes National Background Information to send criminal history information directly to an applicant's attorney at law.

If you would like your personal FBI Criminal Report sent directly to your attorney's office, you must include an authorization for release of information. The Attorney Release form must be printed on your attorney's letterhead and signed by you and your attorney.

Be sure to enter the attorney's name and address information in the "Mail Results to This Address" section of the FBI Identity History Summary Request Form.

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)

The FAQ is not actually a form, but it is something that the FBI would like you to read and understand before you order your personal criminal history. It includes important information regarding who can request an FBI criminal record and how that information may be used once it has been received.

Step 2 – Capturing My Fingerprints

For fastest service, a National Background Information Preferred Live Scan Location can capture your fingerprints and submit them electronically, eliminating the need to mail or express deliver paper fingerprint cards. Check our list of fingerprint locations to see if a preferred Live Scan facility is located near you.

When not using a Live Scan service, fingerprints can be submitted to National Credit Reporting on standard FBI fingerprint cards. Most police departments, sheriff's offices and college campus security offices will "capture" your fingerprints for a small fee. Use our list of over 14,000 law enforcement offices to find a location nearby.

Most fingerprinting locations use the standard FBI Fingerprint Form (FD-258). If you're not sure, it is a good idea to confirm that your fingerprints are being taken on an FBI approved fingerprint card. The person taking your fingerprints should be a trained technician.

While it is not required because of the extra cost involved, some customers have two sets of prints taken. Poor quality prints may be rejected by the FBI, and even an experienced fingerprint technician can have a difficult time getting good quality prints on some applicants. Work-worn hands with faded skin texture can make fingerprints more difficult to roll.

If turnaround time on your order is critical, consider sending two fingerprint cards. If the first fingerprint card is rejected by the FBI because of poor fingerprint quality, we can quickly submit the prints from the second card, saving valuable time.

When submitting two fingerprint cards, you will be contacted for authorization before the second set of prints is submitted to the FBI. Each submission to the FBI will incur the standard report fee.

Step 3 – Submitting My Forms & Fingerprints

This section provides instructions for submitting your order to National Background Information after completing your application forms and having your fingerprints taken.

What to Submit

Use the list below to make sure you have included all required items with your order. You can also use the checklist on the Mailing Checklist form.

  • FBI Identity History Summary Request Form is required with all orders
  • Order and Disclaimer is required with all orders
  • Payment in the form of cashier's check, money order or credit card
  • Credit Card Authorization form is required if payment is by credit card
  • Attorney Request form is required only if the criminal report is to be mailed directly to your attorney
  • One or more copies of your fingerprint impressions on an FBI approved fingerprint card(s).
  • We recommend sending photocopies of two forms of Identification, at least one of which must be a government issued photo ID, to help verify and expedite the processing of your FBI report request.

How to Submit

If you live near a National Background Information Preferred Live Scan Location, the local facility will collect your completed application forms and capture you fingerprints for electronic submission. This eliminates the need to mail fingerprint cards, which may shorten the time it takes to receive your personal criminal history report.

When submitting paper fingerprint cards, you may use a large envelope and standard US Mail to send your application forms and fingerprints to National Background Information. Do not fold the fingerprint card(s).

For faster results, use USPS Priority Mail or an overnight delivery service when submitting your order.

Please review the Completing My Forms section of this page for a description of forms that are required for your application.

Where to Submit

Send your completed forms and fingerprints to:

National Credit Reporting
ATTN: FBI Consumer Report Request
6830 Via Del Oro, Suite 105
San Jose, CA 95119

Step 4 – Receiving My Report

All orders will receive an online access via email. Depending on the shipping option you selected, you will receive your personal FBI Criminal Report by US Postal Service mail or FedEx.

National Background Information strives to process all orders for submission to the FBI on the day they are received. However, incomplete or missing information will delay processing, so please double check your application for completeness before submitting.

Online Report Access

An online access code will be emailed to you when the report is ready, usually within 24 to 48 hours after we receive your fingerprints. Be sure to clearly print your email address on the application form. Online access to your report is included at no extra charge.

To view your FBI Criminal Report online, begin by creating an account on our secure website. An email will be sent to you to activate the account. Log into your new account and follow the link to enter the online access code. Because of FBI restrictions, online access is limited to IP Addresses originating within the United States. Reports must be accessed within 30 days and will be purged within 24 hours after they are accessed for the first time.

Tamper Proof Paper

Following FBI guidelines, your FBI Criminal Report will be printed on tamper-proof paper to prevent changes or modifications. One printed copy of your personal criminal history report is included with each order. For a small fee, additional copies can be requested when you place your order.

Ordering Copies of Old Reports

Important Note: FBI security standards require that we purge all FBI Criminal Report information after it has been delivered to the applicant. Because of these guidelines, additional copies of an old report cannot be ordered. However, you can submit new fingerprints at any time.

Delivery Time

You should receive the printed copy of your FBI Criminal Record report within 5-7 business days when using standard shipping – USPS First Class Mail.

Delivery time can be shortened to 2-3 business days with USPS Priority Mail, or overnight by using FedEx. Additional fees apply for premium shipping.

Estimated delivery times are from the day your application and fingerprint card(s) are received and processed by National Background Information. Orders are normally processed the day they are received; however, an incomplete application or missing information will delay processing. If you have not received your results within 14 days of your request, please contact our office.

CUSTOMER SERVICE
800.441.1661
support@nbinformation.com

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