What Is an ORI Number and Why Does It Matter for Apostilles?

Isaidy PintoMiami Dade Apostille6 min read

If you have been researching fingerprinting or FBI background checks in connection with an apostille, you may have encountered the term "ORI number." Understanding what an ORI number is — and when it matters — can prevent confusion and delays in the apostille process.

What Is an ORI Number?

ORI stands for Originating Agency Identifier. It is a unique code assigned by the FBI to agencies and organizations that are authorized to submit fingerprints to the FBI's criminal justice databases. Law enforcement agencies, courts, licensing boards, and certain employers have ORI numbers that allow them to request criminal background checks through the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.

ORI Numbers and the FBI Identity History Summary

The FBI Identity History Summary — the document commonly apostilled for international use — is a different product from the criminal background checks run through NCIC using ORI numbers. The Identity History Summary is available to individuals for personal review or for submission to foreign authorities. It does not require an ORI number. Individuals request it directly from the FBI or through an approved channeler.

If someone tells you that you need an ORI number to get an FBI background check for apostille purposes, this is likely a misunderstanding. The FBI Identity History Summary — the document used for apostille — is requested by individuals directly, not through an agency ORI. You do not need an ORI number for this process.

When ORI Numbers Do Matter

ORI numbers matter when an employer, licensing board, or government agency is running a background check on you through official channels — for example, for a professional license, a government job, or a security clearance. In these cases, the requesting organization uses its ORI to submit your fingerprints and receive results through the FBI's NCIC system. This is a different process from the Identity History Summary used for apostille.

Live Scan and ORI Numbers in Florida

In Florida, live scan fingerprinting submissions to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) use ORI numbers to route results to the correct requesting agency. If you are getting fingerprinted for a Florida professional license or state employment, the live scan provider will ask for the ORI number of the requesting agency. This is separate from the FBI Identity History Summary process.

What You Actually Need for an Apostille

For an apostille on an FBI background check, you need:

An FD-258 ink fingerprint card (or approved channeler submission)
The FBI Identity History Summary letter returned by the FBI
Submission of that letter to the US Department of State for apostille

No ORI number is required at any step of this process. Miami Dade Apostille coordinates the full process. Call 1-800-631-9171 with questions.

Coordinate your FBI apostille

We handle the full process — fingerprinting guidance, FBI submission, US Department of State apostille, and certified translation if needed.

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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.