Do I need an FBI background check for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa?

Yes. The Spanish Consulate requires a criminal background check issued by the FBI, apostilled, dated within 90 days of application.

Can I get fingerprinted at the US Embassy in Spain?

No. The US Embassy and Consulates in Spain do not provide FBI fingerprinting services. You must use an FBI-approved channeler like MR Fingerprints.

Do I need an FBI background check for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa?

Yes. The Spanish Consulate requires a criminal background check issued by the FBI, apostilled, dated within 90 days of application.

Can I get fingerprinted at the US Embassy in Spain?

No. The US Embassy and Consulates in Spain do not provide FBI fingerprinting services. You must use an FBI-approved channeler like MR Fingerprints.

Do I need an FBI background check for a Portugal D7 visa?

Yes. The Portuguese consulate requires an FBI background check apostilled and accompanied by a certified Portuguese translation. MR Fingerprints handles all three steps.

Does the FBI background check need to be translated into Portuguese?

Yes. Portugal requires a certified Portuguese translation of your FBI background check for all AIMA and consulate submissions. MR Fingerprints provides certified translations as part of our full-service package.

Can I get fingerprinted at the US Embassy in Portugal?

No. The US Embassy in Lisbon does not provide FBI fingerprinting services. You must use an FBI-approved channeler like MR Fingerprints.

Do I need a federal or state apostille for my FBI background check?

Always a federal apostille from the US Department of State. FBI documents cannot be apostilled at the state level. MR Fingerprints coordinates the correct federal apostille on your behalf.

How long does the full FBI fingerprinting process take for expats abroad?

Plan for 12 to 18 weeks at standard speed from ordering your kit to receiving an apostilled, translated document. Expedited options can reduce this to 6 to 9 weeks. Most countries require the background check within 90 days of application.

FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens
Living Abroad

Whether you’re living in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, or anywhere else in the world, MR Fingerprints provides FBI-approved fingerprinting services for US citizens abroad. We serve expats, retirees, remote workers, and American families in 14 countries and counting — offering Live Scan fingerprinting at our downtown Los Angeles location and a worldwide mail-in fingerprint kit program that ships directly to your address.

From D7 visa applications in Portugal and Non-Lucrative Visa submissions in Spain, to residency permits in Brazil and Colombia, citizenship by descent in Italy and digital nomad visas in Greece — we handle the entire process: fingerprinting, FBI submission, apostille coordination, and certified translation in multiple languages, all under one roof.

Who Needs FBI Fingerprinting from Abroad?

US citizens living outside the United States frequently require an FBI Identity History Summary — the official FBI background check — for a wide range of immigration, legal, and employment purposes. You may need FBI fingerprinting if you are:

Applying for a long-term visa or residency permit in a foreign country
Renewing your residency permit or residence card
Applying for dual citizenship or naturalization in another country
Pursuing citizenship by descent — Italy, Ireland, France, Portugal and others require FBI clearance
Seeking employment with a US company, government contractor, or regulated industry abroad

Going through the international adoption process (USCIS I-800A or I-600A)
Applying for an apostille on official US documents for foreign government use
Teaching abroad through international schools or government-sponsored programs
Working in a licensed profession abroad — healthcare, finance, education, or security
Getting married in a foreign country that requires criminal clearance for foreign nationals

Not sure whether your specific situation requires an FBI background check? Contact us — we work with US expats across all 14 countries and can help you confirm what your visa type and country require.

Select Your Country

We provide FBI fingerprinting and full documentation services for US citizens in the following countries. Select your country for specific visa requirements, step-by-step instructions, timeline details, and translation requirements:

EUROPE

🇪🇸 Spain

One of the largest US expat communities in Europe. FBI check required for all long-stay visas. 90-day validity. Apostille required.

Non-Lucrative Visa
Digital Nomad Visa
Golden Visa
Residency Renewal
Citizenship

🇵🇹 Portugal

Fastest-growing US expat destination in Europe. FBI check required. Apostille + certified Portuguese translation required. Full service available.

D7 · D8 Digital Nomad
Golden Visa
AIMA Residency
Citizenship

🇩🇪 Germany

Major US expat hub — military families, tech workers, academics. FBI check for permanent residency and DoD security clearance renewals.

Niederlassungserlaubnis
Employment
DoD Civilian
Dual Citizenship

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Large American expat community in London and beyond. FBI check for UK visa applications and regulated financial and legal roles.

Skilled Worker Visa
Global Talent
FCA / SRA Regulated Roles
DBS

🇮🇹 Italy

~200,000 US citizens. Citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) is surging among Italian-Americans — FBI check is a required step.

Elective Residency Visa
Digital Nomad Visa
Citizenship by Descent

🇫🇷 France

~150,000 US citizens. FBI check required for long-stay visa and residency applications. Apostille required — France is a Hague Convention country.

Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS)
Talent Passport
Residency Renewal

MIDDLE EAST & OCEANIA

🇦🇪 UAE / Dubai

Significant US expat population in finance, energy, and tech. FBI check required as part of UAE work visa process and professional licensing.

Work Permit
HAAD Healthcare Licensing
KHDA Education Licensing

🇨🇦 Canada

Largest English-speaking expat destination. Canadian PR and citizenship may require FBI check in addition to RCMP clearance.

Permanent Residency
Cross-Border Workers
Citizenship
RCMP + FBI

🇦🇺 Australia

Australian visas require police clearance from every country of residence. FBI check mandatory for US citizens applying for Australian residency.

Skilled Migrant Visa
Partner Visa
Permanent Residency
Police Clearance

🇬🇷 Greece

Fastest-growing expat destination in 2025. FBI check required for Digital Nomad and Golden Visa applications. Apostille required.

Digital Nomad Visa
Golden Visa
Long-Stay Visa
Residency

LATIN AMERICA

🇲🇽 Mexico

Largest US expat population in the world — estimated 1.5–2 million Americans. FBI check required for INM residency applications.

Residente Temporal
Residente Permanente
INM
Employment
Apostille

🇧🇷 Brazil

~500,000 US citizens. FBI check is an absolute requirement for residency visas. Must be apostilled and accompanied by a sworn Portuguese translation.

VITEM V Long-Stay Visa
Permanent Residency
Digital Nomad Visa
Marriage

🇨🇴 Colombia

~80,000 US citizens. Medellín and Bogotá are major expat hubs. FBI check required for all long-stay and residency visa categories

Migrant Visa (M)
Digital Nomad Visa
Pensionado Visa
Investor Visa

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

#1 retiree destination in Latin America. ~120,000 US citizens. Costa Rica has some of the strictest FBI check enforcement in the region.

Pensionado Visa
Rentista Visa
Residency
Employment

Don’t see your country? We serve US citizens worldwide.

What Are You Applying For?

FBI fingerprinting is required across a wide range of visa, residency, employment, and legal situations. Here are the most common use cases we handle:

🛂 Visas & Residency

Long-stay visa applications
Temporary & permanent residency
Residency card renewals
Golden Visa programs

🏛️ Citizenship

Dual citizenship applications
Naturalization requirements
Citizenship by descent (Italy, Ireland)
Country-specific clearance

💼 Employment

US contractor roles abroad
Regulated industries (finance, healthcare, education)
DoD civilian & military
Security clearance renewals

👨‍👩‍👧 Adoption

I-800A (Hague Convention)
I-600A (non-Hague)
Both parents required
Re-prints available

📄 Apostille Services

Federal apostille (US Dept. of State)
Required for Hague Convention countries
FBI documents — federal only
Coordination included

🌍 Teaching Abroad

International school employment
Ministry of Education programs
ESL & language programs
South Korea EPIK, UAE, Spain & more

📋 We Translate — Certified Translations in Multiple Languages

Many countries require your FBI background check to be translated by a certified translator before submission. MR Fingerprints provides certified translations in Portuguese, Spanish, German, French, Italian, and more — delivered with your apostilled document as a complete, submission-ready package. Countries requiring certified translation include Portugal, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Greece, among others.

Our process is simple & quick!

1. Order your mail-in fingerprint kit. We ship FD-258 standard ink fingerprint cards directly to your address anywhere in the world. International delivery typically takes 7–14 business days via tracked shipping. Or book an in-person Live Scan appointment at our downtown Los Angeles location for same-week service.

2. Complete your fingerprints. Follow our detailed instructions to complete your ink prints at home, or visit a local police station or notary. Legible prints are critical — they are the most common reason for FBI rejections.

3. Mail your completed cards back to us. Use any trackable international courier — DHL, FedEx, or your national postal service with international tracking.

4. We submit your prints to the FBI. As an FBI-approved channeler, we submit your fingerprints directly to the FBI. Standard processing takes 6–8 weeks. Expedited options available.

5. We coordinate your apostille. If your country requires an apostilled FBI background check — which most do — we coordinate the US Department of State federal apostille on your behalf.

6. We provide certified translation if required. For Portugal, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica, Greece, and other countries requiring translation, we deliver a certified translation alongside your apostilled document.

7. You receive your complete package. Apostilled original plus certified translation — delivered directly to you, ready for submission.

Important: FBI background checks are typically valid for 90 days for immigration purposes. The full process from ordering your kit to receiving a translated, apostilled document can take 12–18 weeks at standard speed. Start early.

Our Services at a Glance

	✈️ In-Person (Los Angeles)	📬 Mail-In Kit (Worldwide)	🔄 Full-Service Package
FBI-Approved Fingerprinting	✅ Live Scan	✅ FD-258 Ink Cards	✅ Both options
Ships to Your Country	—	✅ Worldwide	✅ Worldwide
FBI Submission	✅	✅	✅
Apostille Coordination	Optional add-on	Optional add-on	✅ Included
Certified Translation	Optional add-on	Optional add-on	✅ Included
Best For	Visiting the US	Living abroad	Portugal, Brazil, Germany, France & countries requiring translation

Contact Us for Faster Expedited Service

Expedited service range from 1 – 7 Days

Why US Expats in 14 Countries
Choose MR Fingerprints

FBI-approved channeler — we submit directly to the FBI on your behalf
Live Scan technology — near-zero print rejection rate
Worldwide mail-in program — ships to every country, full instructions included
Complete documentation service — fingerprinting, apostille, and certified translation under one roof

Certified translations in 6+ languages — Portuguese, Spanish, German, French, Italian, and more
14 country-specific pages — we understand the exact requirements of each country's consulate and immigration authority
Real human support — have a question about your specific visa type or country? Our team answers it
Downtown Los Angeles location — convenient for Southern California residents and US travelers passing through

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an FBI Identity History Summary and why do foreign governments require it?

An FBI Identity History Summary is a federally issued report of your US criminal history compiled from the FBI’s national fingerprint database. Foreign governments require it because it covers your entire US history across all states and federal jurisdictions. A state-level background check is not an acceptable substitute for most foreign visa and residency applications.

Can I get fingerprinted at a US Embassy abroad?

No. US Embassies and Consulates do not provide FBI fingerprinting services for background check purposes. This is the most common misconception among Americans living abroad. You must use an FBI-approved channeler — like MR Fingerprints — to collect and submit your fingerprints. We offer both in-person Live Scan in Los Angeles and a worldwide mail-in kit program.

Do I need a federal apostille or a state apostille for my FBI background check?

Always a federal apostille from the US Department of State. The FBI is a federal agency and its documents must be authenticated at the federal level only. State apostilles are not valid for FBI documents — this is a very common and costly mistake. MR Fingerprints coordinates the correct federal apostille process on your behalf.

Which countries require a certified translation of the FBI background check?

Countries that require a certified translation include Portugal (Portuguese), Brazil (Portuguese), Germany (German), France (French), Italy (Italian), Colombia (Spanish), Costa Rica (Spanish), Greece (Greek), and Spain (Spanish, for some consulates). MR Fingerprints provides certified translations in all of these languages as part of our full-service package.

How long does the full process take?

At standard speed, plan for 12–18 weeks from ordering your mail-in kit to receiving a fully apostilled and translated document. Expedited FBI and apostille options can reduce this to 6–9 weeks. Always start early — most countries require the background check to be dated within 90 days of your application submission.

What if my fingerprints are rejected by the FBI?

Fingerprint rejection happens when prints are illegible — smudged ink, insufficient ridge detail, or missing fingers. MR Fingerprints includes detailed instructions with every mail-in kit to maximize print quality. Our in-person Live Scan service produces near-zero rejection rates. Re-print services are available if needed.

Do I need FBI fingerprinting for citizenship by descent in Italy or Ireland?

Yes. Italy’s citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) process and Ireland’s foreign birth registration both require an FBI background check as part of the documentation package. Italy additionally requires the document to be apostilled and translated into Italian. MR Fingerprints provides the complete package for both countries.

Can MR Fingerprints handle everything from start to finish?

Yes. MR Fingerprints is one of the only US-based providers that handles the complete process under one roof — FBI-approved fingerprinting, FBI submission, federal apostille coordination, and certified translation in 6+ languages. You deal with one provider, one process, and one point of contact from start to finish.

Explore by Country

Europe

FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Spain
FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Portugal
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Germany]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in the United Kingdom]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Italy]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in France]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Greece]

Latin America

[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Mexico]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Brazil]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Colombia]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Costa Rica]

Middle East & Oceania

[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in the UAE / Dubai]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Australia]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens in Canada]

Explore by Use Case

[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for International Adoption]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for Teaching Abroad]
[Link: Apostille Services for FBI Background Checks]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for Foreign Residency Applications]
[Link: FBI Fingerprinting for Dual Citizenship Applications]
[Link: Citizenship by Descent — FBI Background Check Requirements]

Trusted for Live Scan Fingerprinting in Los Angeles

Our customers share their experience.

4.9

Based on 269 reviews

review us on

Winner N.

21:05 11 Feb 26

The service is very good, welcoming and efficient

Ivan H.

19:55 09 Jan 26

Professional, cordial, pleasant and efficient. If you need these services, great choice!

Avila R.

06:56 28 Dec 25

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.

14:44 04 Dec 25

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.

04:52 15 Nov 25

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.

20:12 07 Oct 25

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!

Partner With a Trusted Live Scan Provider in Los Angeles

We work with law firms, schools, agencies, and healthcare providers to deliver fast, accurate fingerprinting for their clients and staff.

Ready to Get Started?

MR Fingerprints serves US citizens in 14 countries across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and beyond. Wherever you are in the world, we can handle your FBI fingerprinting, apostille, and certified translation — start to finish.

We handle fingerprinting, FBI submission, apostille coordination, and certified Portuguese translation — start to finish, under one roof, from anywhere in Portugal.

FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens
Living Abroad

Who Needs FBI Fingerprinting from Abroad?