FBI Background Checks
FBI Background Check Fingerprinting
An FBI Identity History Summary — often called an FBI background check — is used for personal record review, immigration and visa applications, apostille and international document processes, and some employment or licensing situations.
The right fingerprinting option depends on where you are, how the results will be used, and whether your process accepts digital submission or requires printed fingerprint cards. Choosing the wrong path is a common cause of delays and rejected requests.
Get the right service
Answer a few questions about your request and get a recommendation matched to your agency, location, and timeline.
Check What You NeedWe help users identify available fingerprinting options. Acceptance requirements are determined by the requesting agency.
Your options
Your options for an FBI background check
Digital fingerprinting
Where eligible, fingerprints can be captured and submitted digitally, which is often the fastest path for personal record requests.
Fingerprint cards
Some situations — especially submissions from outside the U.S. or processes that require physical documents — call for printed FD-258 fingerprint cards.
Mobile fingerprinting
In supported areas, a technician can come to your home, office, or workplace to capture prints for your FBI request.
Guided support
Not sure whether your process accepts digital results or needs cards? A quick check helps identify the safest available path before you pay for anything.
Why the right service matters for FBI checks
FBI background check results can be used very differently — a personal copy, an apostilled document for another country, or a submission tied to a specific agency request. Each final use can change which capture method and submission path is appropriate.
A quick check looks at your location, your timeline, and how the results will be used, then points you to an available option that fits — digital where eligible, cards where required, or mobile and guided support where it helps.
Check What You NeedFAQ
Common questions
Not sure which fingerprinting option you need?
Answer six quick questions and we'll identify the safest available option for your request.
LiveScan.org is a private guidance platform — not a government agency.