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 process you start online specifically for Americans living abroad. You visit your local police station, mail your completed ink card to us. We submit to the DOJ and deliver results in 7-9 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
| ⚡ The MR Fingerprints Process — Results in 7-9 Business Days Step 1 — Contact MR Fingerprints first. We provide personalized instructions based on your country and visa type. Step 2 — Visit your local police station. Most police stations worldwide will take ink fingerprints on a standard card for official background check purposes. Step 3 — Mail your completed ink card to MR Fingerprints with a tracked service. Step 4 — Results delivered in 7-9 business days. ? Contact us first — we handle everything from instructions through delivery. |
Here is the full end-to-end timeline once you contact MR Fingerprints:
| Step | Timing | Detail |
| Contact MR Fingerprints for instructions | Day 1 | We provide personalized instructions for your country and purpose |
| Visit local police station for ink fingerprinting | Day 1–3 | Most police stations worldwide assist with fingerprint card completion as a courtesy |
| Mail completed ink card to MR Fingerprints | Day 1–3 | Tracked mailing — we provide mailing instructions when you contact us |
| MR Fingerprints submits to DOJ | Day 2–4 | Submission |
| Results delivered to MR Fingerprints | Day 7–11 (standard) | 7-9 business days from submission. |
| Federal apostille coordination begins (if required) | After results received | By mail yourself: 6-8 weeks. Through our DC partner: 7-10 business days. |
| Certified translation (if required) | Concurrent with apostille | 3–5 business days — delivered with apostilled document |
| Complete package delivered to you | Varies by apostille speed | Apostilled + translated document ready for submission to visa authority |
Timelines above reflect standard processing. The apostille takes 7-10 business days after your FBI results are ready.
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.
| ? Countries Where This Has Worked for MR Fingerprints Clients United Kingdom — Metropolitan Police stations and Police Scotland stations Australia — Australian Federal Police (AFP) service centers and local stations Portugal — GNR and PSP stations across the country Spain — Policía Nacional stations throughout Spain Mexico — Ministerio Público offices in major cities Costa Rica — OIJ (Organismo de Investigación Judicial) offices Denmark — Danish police (politiet) stations Trinidad and Tobago — TTPS (Trinidad and Tobago Police Service) stations Germany — Polizei stations throughout Germany And many more — contact us for guidance on your specific country |
What Happens After You Mail Your Ink Card
Once you mail your completed ink fingerprint card to MR Fingerprints, here is what happens on our end:
- We review your card 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.
- We submit your fingerprints.
- The DOJ processes your submission. Standard turnaround is 7-9 business days.
- 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.
- 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:
| Country/Region | Hague Convention | Authentication Required | Notes |
| All EU countries | Hague member | Federal apostille required | No embassy legalization needed |
| UK, Australia, Canada | Hague member | Federal apostille required | No embassy legalization needed |
| Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia | Hague member | Federal apostille required | No embassy legalization needed |
| UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) | NOT Hague member | Apostille + UAE Embassy stamp | Two-step legalization required |
| Saudi Arabia | NOT Hague member | Apostille + Saudi Embassy stamp | Two-step legalization required |
| China | NOT Hague member | Authentication chain required | Contact MR Fingerprints for guidance |
| Vietnam | NOT Hague member | Authentication chain required | Contact MR Fingerprints for guidance |
| South Korea | Hague member (2007) | Federal apostille required | F-4 visa requires apostille — 6-month validity |
| ⚠️ The Federal Apostille Rule — Non-Negotiable The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document — it can ONLY be apostilled by the US Department of State. A California Secretary of State apostille, a Texas Secretary of State apostille, or any state apostille is INVALID. Every Hague Convention country will reject a state-apostilled FBI document without exception. MR Fingerprints coordinates the correct US Department of State federal apostille — never a state apostille. |
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’ 7–9 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.
Which Countries Require What: Quick Reference
| Country | Common uses | Apostille required | Translation required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa, residency renewal | Yes | Spanish (some consulates) |
| Portugal | D7, D8, Golden Visa, AIMA, citizenship | Yes | Portuguese (always) |
| Mexico | Temporary and permanent resident, INM | Yes | Spanish |
| Germany | Settlement permit, employment, DoD | Yes | German |
| United Kingdom | Skilled Worker, Global Talent, FCA roles | Yes | Not required |
| UAE | Work permit, HAAD, KHDA | Yes | Not required |
| Canada | Permanent residency, citizenship | Yes | Not required |
| Australia | Skilled migrant, Partner Visa, PR | Yes | Not required |
| Brazil | VITEM V, permanent residency, marriage | Yes | Portuguese (always) |
| Colombia | Migrant Visa, digital nomad, pensionado | Yes | Spanish |
| Costa Rica | Pensionado, rentista, residency | Yes | Spanish |
| Italy | Elective Residency, citizenship by descent | Yes | Italian |
| France | Long-stay visa, Talent Passport | Yes | French |
| Greece | Digital Nomad, Golden Visa | Yes | Greek |
Requirements can vary by consulate and visa type. Confirm the details with your consulate or immigration attorney before you submit.
Common Mistakes US Expats Make
- Assuming the US Embassy can help. US embassies and consulates abroad do not provide FBI fingerprinting for background checks. Use an FBI-approved channeler instead.
- Getting a state apostille instead of a federal one. FBI documents are federal, so only the US Department of State can apostille them. A state Secretary of State apostille will be rejected.
- Starting too late. Most countries want the FBI document issued within 90 days of your application, and that clock starts when the FBI issues it. Plan backward from your application date.
- Submitting a state background check. Foreign governments ask for the FBI Identity History Summary, not a California DOJ check or a local police record.
- Smudged or incomplete fingerprints. Illegible prints are the most common reason for FBI rejection. Rejected cards mean new cards and weeks of delay.
- Skipping the certified translation. Countries such as Portugal, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica and Greece require a certified translation of the apostilled document.
- Not confirming your consulate’s rules. Requirements can differ between consulates for the same country. Confirm them before you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really not need to travel back to the United States?
Correct. The MR Fingerprints process is designed specifically for Americans living abroad. You get fingerprinted at your local police station in whatever country you are in, mail the completed card 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 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.
- ✅ Start online — no travel to the US required
- ✅ Results in 7-9 business days
- ✅ 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 | [email protected]
? Or book in-person if visiting Los Angeles → Book Now
