A Practical Guide for Applicants in the United States and Abroad
By Eric Bricker, FOUR POINTS FINGERPRINTING
Whether you’re accepting a teaching position overseas, applying for residency in another country, pursuing dual citizenship, or obtaining a professional license, you’ve probably been told you need an FBI Identity History Summary, commonly referred to as an FBI background check.
For many people, that’s the first time they’ve ever heard the term.
The good news is that the process is well established. The challenge is understanding the overall journey—not just obtaining the background check itself.
A little preparation at the beginning can save valuable time and help prevent unnecessary delays later.
Start With Your Goal
Before thinking about fingerprints, consider why you need the FBI background check.
Common reasons include:
- Immigration or residency
- Dual citizenship
- Employment abroad
- Teaching overseas
- International adoption
- Professional licensing
- Visa applications
Your reason for requesting the background check often determines what additional steps may be required before your documents are accepted.
Fingerprints Are Only the First Step
Many applicants focus almost entirely on fingerprinting.
In reality, fingerprinting is simply the beginning of the process.
Depending on the country or organization requesting your FBI background check, there may be additional requirements before your documents are ready for use. Understanding those requirements early can help you avoid unnecessary delays.
If You’re Applying From Within the United States
Most applicants begin by having their fingerprints professionally captured by an experienced fingerprinting provider. Once the fingerprints have been properly prepared and submitted for processing, the FBI background check request can move forward. Depending on the purpose of your request and the country where the document will be used, additional steps—such as document authentication or an apostille—may also be required.
If You’re Living Outside the United States
If you’re living abroad, you can still obtain an FBI background check.
Although the process differs slightly from applying within the United States, thousands of Americans successfully obtain FBI background checks each year while living overseas.
Understanding the overall process before you begin can make the experience much smoother.
Why Fingerprint Quality Matters
One of the most common reasons for delays isn’t someone’s background—it’s fingerprint quality.
Unreadable fingerprints may require the applicant to repeat the process, potentially delaying employment, licensing, immigration, or travel plans.
This is especially common for individuals with naturally worn fingerprints, healthcare professionals, construction workers, and older adults.
Working with an experienced fingerprinting provider can help minimize the likelihood of these avoidable delays.
Will You Need an Apostille?
For many international applications, obtaining the FBI background check is only one part of the process.
If your document will be presented to a foreign government, it may also require an apostille before it can be recognized for official use.
Understanding whether your destination country requires an apostille before beginning the process can save both time and frustration.
Small Details Can Make a Big Difference
Every week, applicants discover they overlooked a seemingly minor requirement.
Sometimes it’s a fingerprint issue.
Sometimes it’s missing documentation.
Sometimes it’s learning after the fact that their FBI background check also required an apostille.
While these issues are usually easy to correct, they can create unnecessary delays when you’re working toward an employment start date, immigration deadline, or professional licensing requirement.
Taking a few extra minutes to understand the process before you begin is often time well spent.
The Value of Experienced Guidance
Every applicant’s circumstances are different.
Some require only an FBI background check. Others need document authentication, apostille services, or additional coordination before their documents are ready for their intended purpose.
Rather than trying to navigate every requirement alone, many applicants choose to work with experienced professionals who understand the overall process and can help ensure everything is completed accurately from the beginning.
Final Thoughts
An FBI background check is often the first step toward an exciting new chapter—whether that’s relocating abroad, beginning a new career, obtaining professional licensure, or pursuing dual citizenship.
Understanding the process before you begin can help reduce stress, avoid unnecessary delays, and give you confidence that your documents will be ready when you need them.
If your FBI background check will be used internationally, working with experienced fingerprinting professionals and a trusted apostille provider can help simplify the journey and ensure your documents are prepared for their intended use.
About the Author
This article was contributed by Eric Bricker, founder of Four Points Fingerprinting in Austin, Texas. Eric specializes in fingerprinting for FBI background checks, professional licensing, healthcare credentialing, and international document preparation. Four Points Fingerprinting frequently works alongside Express Apostille Services to help clients prepare documents for use throughout the world.
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