FBI Background Check | Fingerprints | Criminal History Etc.

Introduction To FBI Background Check

FBI background check are conducted by the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS).

They are designed to help organizations make informed decisions about an individual’s suitability for a position or activity.

During an FBI background check, the CJIS will check a person’s criminal history, education, employment history, financial history, and any other relevant information.

This information is used to help determine whether the individual is eligible for the position or activity in question.

Are you curious about anything specific about FBI background checks? This article we give you a clear insight on FBI background check, how long it takes and much more.

FBI, Who They Are?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency.

Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, the FBI is also a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and reports to both the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence.

A leading U.S. counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal investigative organization, the FBI has jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crimes.

The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. The FBI has a wide range of investigative responsibilities, including:

  • Terrorism
  • Counterintelligence
  • Cybercrime
  • Public corruption
  • Organized crime
  • Violent crime
  • White-collar crime
  • Civil rights violations.

The FBI also provides a variety of support services to other law enforcement agencies, such as fingerprint identification, laboratory examinations, and training.

The FBI is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 56 field offices in major cities across the United States.

The FBI also maintains over 400 resident agencies across the United States, as well as over 50 legal attachés at United States embassies and consulates.

The FBI is a highly respected law enforcement agency and is known for its professionalism and competence.

The FBI has played a key role in investigating and preventing some of the most significant crimes in American history, including the September 11th attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing.

Do FBI Partake In Background Check?

Yes, the FBI does partake in background checks. In fact, the FBI is the primary agency responsible for conducting background checks for federal employment, licensing, and other purposes.

The FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division is responsible for processing and maintaining the FBI’s fingerprint records and other criminal history information.

The CJIS Division also provides background checks to other government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and authorized private businesses.

How Does FBI Background Check Work?

FBI background checks can be requested for a variety of purposes, including:

  1. Employment: Employers often require FBI background checks for new hires, especially for positions that involve working with children or vulnerable populations.
  2. Licensing: Licensing boards may also require FBI background checks for certain types of licenses, such as professional licenses or gun permits.
  3. Volunteer opportunities: Volunteer organizations may also require FBI background checks for volunteers who work with children or vulnerable populations.

How To Get An FBI Background Check?

FBI Background Check
How To Get An FBI Background Check

To request an FBI background check, individuals must submit a completed fingerprint card and pay a fee.

Fingerprint cards can be obtained from local law enforcement agencies or fingerprinting services.

Once the fingerprint card is completed, it must be mailed to the FBI.

The FBI will then process the fingerprints and search the CJIS database for any criminal records.

How Long Does FBI Background Check Take?

The FBI background check process typically takes 16-18 weeks to complete. However, the processing time may be longer if the FBI needs to request additional information from the individual or from law enforcement agencies.

The FBI background check process includes the following steps:

  1. The individual submits a completed fingerprint card and pays a fee.
  2. The FBI processes the fingerprints and searches the CJIS database for any criminal records.
  3. If the FBI finds any criminal records matching the individual’s fingerprints, the FBI will request additional information from the individual or from law enforcement agencies.
  4. Once the FBI has gathered all of the necessary information, the FBI will complete an Identity History Summary (IHS).
  5. The FBI will send the IHS to the individual or to the organization that requested the background check.

Note: The processing time for FBI background checks can vary depending on a number of factors, including:

  • The volume of background check requests that the FBI is processing.
  • The complexity of the individual’s criminal history.
  • The need for the FBI to request additional information from the individual or from law enforcement agencies.

If you are waiting for the results of an FBI background check, you can check the status of your request online at the FBI’s website.

How Much Does FBI Background Check Cost?

The cost for an FBI background check is $18 per person. You cannot pay extra for faster service. You can pay by:

  • Credit Card using the Credit Card Payment Form.
  • Money Order or Certified Check for $18 U.S. dollars made payable to the Treasury of the United States. Sign where required.

If you are requesting reports for a spouse, family, etc., you must pay $18 for each report.

What’s Included In FBI Background Check?

From our previous article, we review some of the informations to what does a background check show and An FBI background check typically includes the following information:

  1. Criminal charges, convictions, and incarceration: This includes all criminal offenses that have been charged against the individual, as well as any convictions and periods of incarceration.
  2. Bankruptcies: This includes all bankruptcies that the individual has filed, whether they were discharged or not.
  3. Outstanding warrants: This includes any warrants that have been issued for the individual’s arrest.
  4. Arrests that did not result in convictions (these remain on record for seven years): This includes all arrests that the individual has been made for, even if they were not ultimately convicted of a crime. These arrests will remain on the individual’s record for seven years.
  5. Addresses and phone numbers used on tax forms: This includes all addresses and phone numbers that the individual has used on their tax forms.

It is important to note that the specific information that is included in an FBI background check will vary depending on the purpose of the check and the jurisdiction in which it is being conducted.

For example, an FBI background check for a job in law enforcement may include more detailed information about the applicant’s criminal history than an FBI background check for a volunteer position.

In addition to this basic information, an FBI background check may also include information about:

  • S£x offender registration status
  • Immigration status
  • Military service
  • Federal employment history.

Additionally, some criminal records may be expunged or sealed, and they will not appear on an FBI background check.

However, even expunged or sealed records may be visible to certain law enforcement agencies and other authorized entities.

How To Expedite FBI Background Check?

To expedite an FBI background check, you can use an FBI-Approved Channeler. An FBI-Approved Channeler is a private business that has been authorized by the FBI to submit fingerprint cards on behalf of individuals.

FBI-Approved Channelers can typically process fingerprint cards and deliver results to individuals much faster than the FBI can.

To expedite your FBI background check using an FBI-Approved Channeler, you will need to follow these steps:

  1. Visit the FBI’s website to find a list of FBI-Approved Channelers.
  2. Select an FBI-Approved Channeler and contact them to schedule an appointment.
  3. Bring your valid government-issued photo ID to your appointment.
  4. Pay the FBI background check fee to the FBI-Approved Channeler.
  5. Have your fingerprints taken by the FBI-Approved Channeler.

The FBI-Approved Channeler will then submit your fingerprint card to the FBI and process your background check.

Once your background check is complete, the FBI-Approved Channeler will send you your results.

Expedited FBI background checks typically take 2-5 business days to process.

However, the processing time may vary depending on the FBI-Approved Channeler you use and the volume of requests they are processing.

It is important to note that expedited FBI background checks are more expensive than regular FBI background checks.

The FBI-Approved Channeler will charge you a fee for their services, in addition to the FBI background check fee.

Here are some tips for expediting your FBI background check:

  • Schedule your appointment with the FBI-Approved Channeler as early as possible.
  • Bring all of the required documentation to your appointment, including your valid government-issued photo ID and payment for the background check fee.
  • If you have any questions about the expediting process, be sure to ask the FBI-Approved Channeler.

Conclusion To FBI Background Check?

FBI Background Check
How To Get An FBI Background Check

It is important to note that FBI background checks are not infallible. They only include information that is reported to the FBI by law enforcement agencies and other authorized sources.

If a law enforcement agency fails to report a crime to the FBI, that information will not appear on the background check.

Additionally, some criminal records may be expunged or sealed, and they will not appear on an FBI background check.

Despite these limitations, FBI background checks are a valuable tool for employers and other organizations to screen potential employees, volunteers, and licensees.

They can help to identify individuals who pose a risk to public safety or who may not be suitable for certain positions.

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