Obtaining a US Identity History Summary (background report)

This document is required for every visa process in Spain, and obtaining it while in the United States is the easiest and cheapest way to obtain it. But since it’s used across a wide array of applications, you may find yourself in Spain needing to obtain one from across the sea. Either way, the process starts the same.

First, head over to the FBI’s website and fill out the online application for your Identity History Summary. On that form, make sure to check the box that tells them you would also like this report EMailed to you, because that is the fastest way to have the report in your hands. Unlike some other documents like a birth certificate with a seal or stamp on it, this report is accepted for authentication/Apostille as a printout of the PDF they will EMail you - so you do not need them to mail it to you, as all they would be mailing to you is a printout of the same PDF that they’ll send you and you will print out anyway. Here is the link to fill that out: https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/do-info

Pay attention to two things on this page - one, at the bottom is where you begin the process by entering your EMail address. And two, to the right of that is a link for you to find your closest participating US Post Office to get your electronic fingerprinting done. Electronic fingerprinting is only available if you are in the US, so does not apply if you are in Spain, but if you’re in the US it’s recommended to do it this way for the fastest way of obtaining the report.

Fill out the form, pay the fee online, and then you’re ready to get your fingerprints done. If you’re in the US, make that appointment with the USPS vis the link. If you’re in Spain, this is where it gets challenging. According to many, you should be able to bring a copy of the FBI fingerprint card (which you can download and print onto card stock yourself, via this link: https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/cjis/fd-258.pdf/view ) to your nearest CNP station in Spain and ask them to roll your prints for you on the card. But in practice, many CNP stations refuse to do this. Some have certain hours and days they will do it, too, so you may need to start calling around your area or going into them to ask around. You are also allowed to roll your own fingerprints onto this form, if you get the proper ink for fingerprinting (Amazon carries it) and learn what a proper print looks like (Google-able). If you do it yourself, I recommend rolling 3 or 4 sets onto multiple cards and sending them all in the same envelope to the FBI, in case there is a poor one. After you have obtained the ink prints, follow the instructions on the FBI website where you filled out the request form - they give you the address there to send them to. From Spain, please use an expedited carrier (UPS, DHL, FedEx) and NOT Correos. And triple check that you checked the box on your request form saying you want the report Emailed to you.

Print the PDF that the FBI emails you, and also save it to your computer in case you need it again or in case you need to send it to be authenticated via a faster route than the one I’m about to give you. There are 2 ways to now have the report Apostilled. The cheapest way, which is also the slower way, is to physically mail that printout directly to the US Department of State. Their processing times can range at any given time of the year from 4 or 5 weeks to 11 or 12 weeks (and the current wait is on the website at the link below). If you have enough time before you need to leave for Spain, or if you’re in Spain but in zero hurry, this method is totally fine and by far the cheapest. Here is the link for the Apostille and directions: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/requesting-authentication-services.html

If you don’t have enough time and want to speed up the process, by using an official FBI channeler you can get it done in around 14 days - but be aware it will cost much more than the regular method. For the channeler method, you will EMail the PDF to them instead of mailing them the printed version, and they will facilitate getting it over to the FBI and then expediting it back to you. They can also scan and Email you the report before they stick it in the mail, usually, so check with them on that before you commit if it’s a service you need. I have used the same channeler for 2 years, many times for myself and clients. I have a direct contact there for you as well, you can EMail her and she will prepare a quote based on what you need and when. She doesn’t pay me for referrals, I just really like her: Colleen Rooney, COO, Sharplink Services - crooney@sharplinkservices.com But there is one other company I have used and can recommend too, they’re called Monument Visa - same services, same timeframe, same pricing (mas o menos): https://monumentvisa.com

FROM SPAIN ONLY: There is a place in Madrid called Fingerprints Today who will do LiveScan fingerprinting and transmit them electronically to the FBI. As you can guess, the fees for this are very high. But in the event you need them fast, you can make an appointment in Madrid, have them taken, and have the report Emailed to you within a few DAYS (no snail-mailing across the ocean). The fees are upwards of €300, but the service exists if you need it! Then you can Email the report to Sharplink or Monument Visa and essentially have the Apostilled report back in 2 weeks or so, if you pay for express shipping (or if you can do a digital version, having them scan it to you and then no rush on the mailing of the physical copy). Fingerprints Today can be found here: https://fingerprintstodayspain.com/usa-fbi-background-checks/