FBI Fingerprinting and Apostille: A Complete Guide

Isaidy PintoMiami Dade Apostille7 min read

The FBI Identity History Summary — commonly called an FBI background check or FBI apostille — is one of the most frequently requested federal documents for international use. It is required for residency applications, long-term visas, digital nomad visas, and citizenship applications in dozens of countries. This guide covers the complete process from fingerprinting through apostille.

What Is an FBI Identity History Summary?

An FBI Identity History Summary is a compilation of information submitted to the FBI in connection with arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service. It is the official US federal criminal history record. For international purposes, it serves as the US equivalent of a police clearance certificate.

Step 1: Get Fingerprinted

To obtain an FBI Identity History Summary, you must submit fingerprints to the FBI. There are two methods:

Electronic fingerprinting (preferred): Submit fingerprints electronically through an FBI-approved channeler. Results are returned in 24–72 hours. Miami Dade Apostille works with approved channelers and can coordinate electronic fingerprinting.
Ink fingerprint cards: Submit FD-258 fingerprint cards directly to the FBI. Processing takes 6–8 weeks. Miami Dade Apostille provides fingerprinting services using FD-258 cards at our Miami-Dade offices.

Step 2: Receive the FBI Identity History Summary

The FBI issues the Identity History Summary directly to you (or to an authorized representative). The document is issued on official FBI letterhead with an original signature. This is the document that will be apostilled.

Step 3: Apostille the FBI Document

FBI documents are federal documents. They are apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington, DC — not by the Florida Secretary of State. Miami Dade Apostille submits FBI documents to the US Department of State on your behalf through our Washington, DC agent network.

Processing Times

Electronic fingerprinting + FBI processing: 24–72 hours
Ink card + FBI processing: 6–8 weeks
US Department of State apostille (in person, DC): 1–5 business days
Total (electronic route): approximately 1–2 weeks

Many countries require the FBI apostille to be less than 3–6 months old at the time of submission. Plan your timeline accordingly — if your apostille will expire before your visa appointment, you may need to restart the process.

Start your FBI apostille process

Miami Dade Apostille coordinates fingerprinting, FBI submission, and US Department of State apostille. Free consultation.

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Miami Dade Apostille is a private document coordination company. We are not a government agency and do not issue apostilles. Apostilles are issued by the Florida Secretary of State or the relevant state authority. We coordinate the preparation, submission, and retrieval process on your behalf.