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FBI Background Check for U.S. Citizens Living in Canada

Get your FBI report and apostille without crossing the border. We work with U.S. citizens in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa and everywhere else in Canada.
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Why a Canadian authority may ask for your FBI report

Canadian authorities and employers do not all ask for the same document. If you are applying for permanent residence, a work or study permit, or citizenship, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes its own instructions for getting a police certificate from each country. Professional regulators, universities, and some employers may ask for a U.S. record check as well.

The FBI Identity History Summary is the federal record of your U.S. history. It does not replace a Canadian police record check, and a Canadian check does not replace the FBI report. Some applications need one, the other, or both.

We could not confirm one rule that applies to every Canadian application, so check with the authority requesting your report: what document they want, how recent it must be, and whether it must be apostilled. Official source: IRCC.

Does Canada need an apostille?

Canada is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (in force for Canada since January 11, 2024, according to Global Affairs Canada). If a Canadian authority asks for your FBI report to be apostilled, the apostille for an FBI report is federal. It comes from the U.S. Department of State, not from a state Secretary of State.

Many Canadian applications do not ask for an apostille at all, so confirm before you pay for one. The $50 non-Hague fee does not apply to Canada. If the authority asks for a French translation (for example in Quebec), we can arrange a certified translation on request (quote only).

How it works from Canada

  1. Order online. Choose the FBI + Apostille Bundle ($325) or the FBI Background Check ($150). We email your instructions right away.
  2. Get fingerprinted locally. Have your prints rolled in ink on an FD-258 fingerprint card. Bring two blank cards in case one is rejected, and ask for all ten fingers to be rolled clearly.
  3. Mail the card to us in Los Angeles with a tracked courier.
  4. We submit your prints. We work with an FBI-approved Channeler to send your prints to the FBI. FBI results usually take 7-9 business days after the FBI receives your card. Result notifications come from the Channeler, not from MR Fingerprints.
  5. Apostille. We send your FBI report to the U.S. Department of State for the federal apostille, which takes about 10 business days.
  6. We ship your documents to you. USPS Priority shipping is included. Overnight is $40. We do not offer pickup.

Getting your FD-258 card and shipping across the border

Your fingerprints have to be rolled in ink on a standard FBI FD-258 card. Canadian fingerprinting providers often work with electronic or Canadian-format forms, so ask specifically for ink prints on an FD-258 card before you book. Bring two blank cards in case one is rejected.

Once your card is ready, mail it to us in Los Angeles with a tracked courier. Cross-border parcels can take extra time at customs, so choose a service with tracking and allow for it in your timeline. After the apostille, your documents ship back to you with USPS Priority (included), or Overnight for $40.

Moving between the two countries? We work with U.S. citizens in any province. Tell us your destination and your deadline when you contact us and we will map out the order of the steps.

Where to get fingerprinted in Canada

Options to ask about include private fingerprinting companies, some police services, and document-services businesses in your city. Practice varies by provider and by province, and not every provider will roll ink prints for a U.S. request, so call ahead and confirm.

We do not recommend a specific business in Canada that we have not verified. Tip: ask that all ten fingers be rolled fully and without smudges.

Visiting Los Angeles? You can also be fingerprinted in person at our Downtown office, 617 S Olive St, Ste 806 (Oviatt Building), Los Angeles, CA 90014. It is our only location.

Pricing

ServicePrice
FBI Background Check$150
Apostille Only (you already have your FBI report)$200
FBI + Apostille Bundle$325
Non-Hague destination fee (added to apostille prices)+$50 ($250 apostille only, $375 bundle)
Certified translationQuote only
Return shippingUSPS Priority included, Overnight $40

Canada is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so the $50 non-Hague fee does not apply to a Canada order.

Frequently asked questions: Canada

It depends on your application. IRCC publishes instructions for police certificates by country, and other Canadian authorities have their own rules. Check with the authority requesting your report before you order.
Not always. Canada is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so an apostille is the right authentication when one is asked for, and it comes from the U.S. Department of State. Confirm with your authority whether it wants one.
No. They cover different records. A Canadian check covers your Canadian record and the FBI report covers your U.S. record. Some applications ask for one, the other, or both.
Practice varies and we cannot guarantee it. Ask whether they will roll ink prints on a standard FD-258 card, and bring two blank cards.
Allow for mailing your card to us, 7-9 business days for the FBI after it receives the card, about 10 business days for the apostille, and shipping back to you. If your deadline is tight, contact us before you order.
Yes, on request. Certified translation is quote only.
No. You start online, get fingerprinted locally, and we handle the U.S. side. Our only office is in Downtown Los Angeles.

Trusted for Live Scan Fingerprinting in Los Angeles

Our customers share their experience.

Michael H. profile picture
Michael H.
3 weeks ago
So easy and fast! Would recommend this for anybody that just wants to get it done without any hassle. Friendly courteous, 10 out of 10
Liz G. profile picture
Liz G.
4 weeks ago
Competent, efficient and very helpful. Highly recommend!
Ashley R. profile picture
Ashley R.
4 weeks ago
Got my livescan done in less than 15 minutes and results were in to my employer the next day! Definitely recommend!
Kimberley A. profile picture
Kimberley A.
2 months ago
MR Fingerprints is attentive to details and to caring for their customers, giving personal attention at each step. They provided excellent information that was helpful for evaluating our various options for fingerprinting. Their service was very professional and they were available to assist us in working through every aspect of helping us navigate what for us felt like an incredibly complicated process.
Marie P. profile picture
Marie P.
3 months ago
Friends told me that doing Live Scan can be long but my experience with MR Fingerprints was quick and very efficient. I was out in less than 20 minutes. Mr Ramos was friendly yet professional and provided clarifications to my questions. Plus office was neat and comfortable. Completely recommend this!
Hannah R. profile picture
Hannah R.
3 months ago
I found myself in an urgent situation overseas and needed assistance with documentation at very short notice. What was originally estimated to take 8 to 10 weeks was somehow turned around by Mr. Fingerprints in just 3 to 4 days, and they delivered exactly when they said they would.Their responsiveness, professionalism, and genuine care completely exceeded my expectations. They truly removed a huge amount of stress during a difficult time. I can't thank them enough and would highly recommend their services to anyone needing fast, reliable support.
Nicolas M. profile picture
Nicolas M.
4 months ago
I have needed to complete several live scans as an aspiring MSW over the last few years and Mr. Fingerprints easily stands out as not only the most professional, but also friendly, speedy, and hassle free. This location always has me in and out quick and they know how to get your fingerprints without hassle. I appreciate their excellent customer service and always recommend their services to my colleagues.
Victor D. profile picture
Victor D.
7 months ago
Excellent service, very friendly and professional staff, I highly recommend them!
Luke P. profile picture
Luke P.
7 months ago
They did exactly what they said they were going to do and in the exact timeframe they gave me. Literally down to the day. Very affordable, quick responses, and helped me a lot when I needed a background check + apostille within a month.
jaison G. profile picture
jaison G.
7 months ago
I contacted Mr. Fingerprints for an FBI background check that I needed for an immigration clearance from a foreign country. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to receive everything in time for my appointment that was only two months from the day. Not only did Mauricio & the team provide an excellent service, but also made sure it was delivered on time. They follow through with everything to the last detail. Quite a pleasant experience and I recommend them for anyone trying to get a notarized service last minute.
Mark W. profile picture
Mark W.
7 months ago
Excellent service, clear communication and great communication. Would highly recommend.
Yeryong C. profile picture
Yeryong C.
9 months ago
I highly recommend Mr. Fingerprint for anyone needing an FBI background check. I previously tried getting my fingerprints electronically scanned at a local USPS, but they were rejected twice due to 'quality issues.' But Mr. fingerprint was incredibly professional and handled the livescan perfectly according to my specific requirements. My fingerprints were accepted by the FBI on the first try this time. They are fast, professional, and reliable!
Winner N. profile picture
Winner N.
9 months ago
The service is very good, welcoming and efficient
Ivan H. profile picture
Ivan H.
10 months ago
Professional, cordial, pleasant and efficient. If you need these services, great choice!
Avila R. profile picture
Avila R.
11 months ago
Their live fingerprint scanning services are truly impressive and inspire immediate confidence. The facility is modern, well-equipped, and designed to ensure that every fingerprinting requirement is handled with accuracy, efficiency, and care. From start to finish, the process feels seamless and professionally managed. In addition, their FBI background check services are extremely reliable and convenient, making them an excellent choice for individuals and organizations that require thorough and trustworthy verification. Overall, this company stands out for its high standards, advanced capabilities, and exceptional service in this specialized field.
A. Jay A. profile picture
A. Jay A.
11 months ago
Everything about our experience being fingerprinted for our visa application went as we might have hoped: quick, easy, and professional, Mauricio was informative and helpful and a pleasure to converse with.
martin V. profile picture
martin V.
12 months ago
The gentleman that assisted me with my fingerprints was very professional and quick with getting me taken care of right away. Great people skills and was pleasant. I would recommend this location to others. Thank you for your service sir and for valuing my time, i appreciate that the most!
Dong L. profile picture
Dong L.
1 year ago
I came to Mr. Fingerprints for my FBI background check, and it was an excellent experience from start to finish! The business owner was extremely attentive and handled everything with great care and professionalism. The whole process was smooth, fast, and very well organized. I truly felt welcomed — the environment was warm and comfortable, almost like home. Highly recommend this place to anyone who needs fingerprinting or background check services!
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Ready to get your FBI report and apostille?

Order online in a few minutes, or book a 15-minute call and we will walk you through it. Call 213.761.5883 or email [email protected].
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