A confidential folder
The Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains records of criminal histories for individuals in the United States. You are allowed by law to request a copy of your FBI records or to receive proof that you do not have an existing criminal record with the FBI.
This process is known as an FBI background check and is sometimes used to screen prospective employees, couples wishing to adopt, or individuals who want to live or work in another country.
Instructions
1. Print and fill out the official cover letter request form from the Federal Bureau of Investigation website (see Resources). Be sure not to skip any sections. If more than one person is requesting an FBI background check, print and fill out multiple copies of the form. Do not forget to sign the form when you are finished.
2. Print out at least two copies of the FBI's standard fingerprint form (see Resources). You will want to print multiple copies of the fingerprint form so you can re-do your prints on a new sheet if they do not show up clearly the first time.
3. Fingerprint yourself using an ink pad. To ensure that your fingerprints show clearly, place the left side of your finger down onto the page and roll your finger from the left side to the right side. Fingerprinting yourself this way results in a cleaner, easier to scan fingerprint than if you were to press your finger directly down onto the page.
4. Obtain a money order for the cost of an FBI records check. Visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation's website to determine the cost of a background check (see Resources). In September of 2009 the cost was $18 per inquiry.
5. Enclose your cover letter, fingerprint worksheet and money order in an envelope.Stamp and mail your envelope to:
FBI CJIS Division -- Record Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306
It can take up to a month before you receive a response.
