How to Get an FBI Background Check While Living Abroad: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

If you are a US citizen living outside the United States and need an FBI background check — for a visa, a residency application, citizenship by descent, a teaching position, professional registration, or any other purpose — you do not need to fly back to the US to get it done.

MR Fingerprints has built a fully remote process specifically for Americans living abroad. You visit your local police station, scan your completed ink fingerprints, and email them to us. We submit to the DOJ in Sacramento and deliver results in 5–7 business days. No mail-in kits. No transatlantic shipping delays. No waiting weeks.

This guide walks through the entire process step by step — from fingerprinting at your local police station through apostille coordination and certified translation — so you know exactly what to expect.

Step-by-Step: The Complete Process from Abroad

Here is the full end-to-end timeline once you contact MR Fingerprints:

Timelines above reflect standard processing. Expedited FBI processing (48 hours) and expedited apostille (1–2 weeks) are available — ask about both when you contact MR Fingerprints.

Step 1 in Detail — Getting Fingerprinted at a Local Police Station Abroad

This is the step that surprises most people — and the one that makes MR Fingerprints’ process possible. Police stations in most countries around the world will take standard ink fingerprints on a fingerprint card as a courtesy for official background check purposes. You do not need a special appointment in most cases — walk in, explain that you need ink fingerprints for a US FBI background check, and a officer will assist you.

When you contact MR Fingerprints, we provide the specific instructions and fingerprint card format you need to bring to your local station. Different countries have slightly different procedures — our instructions are tailored to your specific location.

What Happens After You Email Your Scanned Ink Card

Once you scan your completed ink fingerprint card and email it to MR Fingerprints, here is what happens on our end:

1. We review your scan for quality. If there are any issues with print clarity or card completion, we contact you immediately so you can get a fresh set taken before any delays occur.
2. We submit your fingerprints electronically to the California DOJ in Sacramento. This is the key step that makes our process so fast — electronic submission bypasses the standard FBI mail queue.
3. The DOJ processes your submission. Standard turnaround is 5–7 business days. Expedited processing (48 hours) is available on request.
4. We receive your results and deliver them to you. Your FBI Identity History Summary is either a ‘no record’ result or a criminal history summary — both are valid for all international purposes.
5. We coordinate apostille and translation if required. Once your FBI document is in hand, we handle the US Department of State federal apostille and certified translation based on your destination country’s requirements.

Do You Need an Apostille?

Whether you need an apostille depends on which country you are submitting your FBI document to. Here is a quick reference:

Do You Need a Certified Translation?

If you are submitting your FBI background check to an authority in a non-English-speaking country, a certified translation is required. This is not optional and cannot be done by a bilingual friend, Google Translate, or an uncertified agency. The translation must be performed by a certified translator in the target language.

• Spanish — required for Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, and other Spanish-speaking countries
• Portuguese — required for Portugal and Brazil
• Italian — required for Italy (including Italian consulates for jure sanguinis applications)
• German — required for Germany
• French — required for France and French-speaking countries
• Greek — required for Greece
• No translation required — UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Barbados, Denmark, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE

MR Fingerprints provides certified translations in all major languages. Translation is delivered alongside the apostilled document as a complete submission-ready package.

How Long Is the FBI Background Check Valid?

The FBI Identity History Summary does not have a printed expiration date on the document itself — but the authority you submit it to will have its own recency requirement. Here are the most common validity windows:

• Spain — 90 days from FBI issue date
• Portugal — 90 days from FBI issue date
• Italy (jure sanguinis) — 6 months from FBI issue date
• Australia — 12 months from FBI issue date (most generous window)
• Costa Rica — 6 months from FBI issue date (some offices enforce 3 months)
• Mexico — typically 6 months, confirm with your INM office
• South Korea F-4 visa — 6 months from FBI issue date
• Digital nomad visas generally — 90 days is most common, confirm with specific country

With MR Fingerprints’ 5–7 business day process, you have significantly more control over timing your FBI check to land within the validity window. Contact us as soon as you know your application or consulate appointment date and we will help you plan the timing precisely.

What If You Have a Criminal Record?

A criminal record does not automatically prevent you from getting an FBI background check — the FBI issues the document regardless of what it contains. Whether a criminal record affects your visa or residency application depends entirely on the country, the visa type, the nature of the offense, and how long ago it occurred.

Minor or old offenses often do not cause issues. Serious recent offenses are more likely to create problems. If you have a record and are concerned about how it may affect your application, consult an immigration attorney for the specific country before starting the process. MR Fingerprints processes your fingerprints regardless of record — we do not see or review the contents of your FBI results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really not need to travel back to the United States?

Correct. The MR Fingerprints remote process is designed specifically for Americans living abroad. You get fingerprinted at your local police station in whatever country you are in, scan the completed card, and email it to us. We handle everything from submission through delivery. No flights, no mail-in kits, no weeks of waiting.

What if my local police station refuses to take my fingerprints?

This is uncommon but can occasionally happen at smaller stations. If your local station declines, try a larger central police station or the national police headquarters in your city. When you contact MR Fingerprints for instructions, mention your specific country and city — we can advise on the most reliable fingerprinting locations based on our experience with clients in your area.

Can I take my own fingerprints?

We strongly advise against it. Self-taken fingerprints have a high rate of quality issues — uneven pressure, smudging, and incomplete ridge coverage — that can cause your submission to be rejected and restart the timeline. The police station route is more reliable, faster overall, and accepted by every authority. Contact MR Fingerprints for instructions before attempting fingerprinting of any kind.

What is the difference between the FBI check and a state background check?

The FBI Identity History Summary covers your complete criminal history across all 50 US states — it is a federal document that no foreign government or consulate can access independently. A state background check covers only one state’s records and is not accepted for any international purpose. Every foreign government, consulate, and immigration authority that requires a US background check specifically requires the FBI check.

How do I know if I need apostille, translation, or both?

When you contact MR Fingerprints, tell us your destination country and the purpose (visa type, citizenship application, professional registration, etc.). We will advise you on exactly what is required — apostille only, translation only, both, or neither. This is part of the personalized instructions we provide at the start of every remote process engagement.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact MR Fingerprints first — that is the only step you need to take right now. We will provide full instructions tailored to your country and purpose, advise on apostille and translation requirements, and walk you through the process from start to finish.

• ✅ Fully remote — no travel to the US required
• ✅ Results in 5–7 business days — 48-hour expedited option available
• ✅ Federal apostille coordination — US Department of State
• ✅ Certified translations in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, French, Greek, and more
• ✅ Personalized instructions for your specific country and purpose

📞  Contact us to get started → 213.761.5883  | info@mrfingerprints.com

📍  Or book in-person if visiting Los Angeles → Book Now