About this article: This site is proudly operated and administered by Anshin Mobile Notary & Live Scan. We help applicants understand the FBI Identity History Summary process, complete required fingerprinting steps, and avoid common mistakes that can delay or confuse the process. This article is educational only, is not legal advice, and is not affiliated with or published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
We hear this question all the time from applicants who were told they need an FBI background check:
“What paperwork do I actually need?”
That is a normal question. Most people do not deal with FBI background checks every day. They may have been told by an attorney, foreign government, adoption agency, employer, licensing office, school, or immigration consultant that they need an FBI background check, but they are not always told what that means in practical terms.
The first thing to understand is that most applicants are not really trying to “get fingerprints.” They are trying to obtain an FBI Identity History Summary. Fingerprinting is the method used to request that report.
If you are requesting your own FBI Identity History Summary, one of the main documents involved is the FBI Applicant Information Form, also known as Form I-783. The form itself is not difficult, but a few parts of it matter a lot.
This article explains where the form fits into the FBI background check process, what to pay attention to, and what to bring to your fingerprinting appointment.
Where the FBI Applicant Information Form Fits Into the Process
The FBI Applicant Information Form is part of a request for your own FBI Identity History Summary. It gives the FBI the identifying information needed to process your request and return your results.
In plain English, the process usually looks like this:
- You determine that you need an FBI Identity History Summary.
- You complete the required applicant information.
- Your fingerprints are captured electronically or on fingerprint cards, depending on the submission method.
- The fingerprints and applicant information are submitted for processing.
- The FBI returns your Identity History Summary based on the delivery method selected.
That is why the form matters. It is not just random paperwork. It tells the FBI who is making the request and how the completed report should be returned.
If you are still trying to understand the overall process, our main FBI Background Check page explains how applicants obtain an FBI Identity History Summary through Anshin Mobile Notary & Live Scan.
The Biggest Misconception: Fingerprinting Is Not the Whole Application
Many applicants assume the appointment is only about taking fingerprints. Fingerprinting is important, but it is only one part of the request.
The FBI also needs identifying information from the applicant. That is the purpose of the FBI Applicant Information Form.
From our experience, most applicants do not need a long explanation of every box on the form. What they really need to know is which parts are most likely to affect the process. There are four areas we tell applicants to pay close attention to.
1. Choose How You Want to Receive Your FBI Identity History Summary
One of the most important decisions on the form is how you want to receive your FBI Identity History Summary.
In general, applicants choose between:
- Receiving the results electronically through the FBI email notification process.
- Receiving a paper copy by mail.
This choice matters because it determines how the FBI will return your completed report.
Many applicants choose electronic delivery because it is typically faster than waiting for a paper copy in the mail. Other applicants prefer a mailed paper copy because they want a physical document sent directly to them.
The important point is that this is not a throwaway question. Before submitting the request, you should think about how you actually need to receive the report.
2. If You Choose Email, Use an Email Address You Control
If you choose electronic delivery, the email address on the form becomes very important.
We generally recommend using a personal email address that you control and check regularly. From our experience, work, school, or corporate email accounts can sometimes create problems. Automated messages may be filtered, blocked, quarantined, or sent to a folder the applicant never checks.
Another problem is access. If you use a work or school email address, you may not always have access to that account later. If you change jobs, graduate, or lose access to the account, retrieving important messages can become much harder.
A personal email address is usually the safer choice because you are more likely to receive the FBI notification emails and still have access when it is time to retrieve your report.
Before submitting the form, double-check the spelling of your email address. A small typo can cause unnecessary problems.
3. Review Your Personal Information Carefully
Most of the remaining form asks for basic identifying information. Even though it may look simple, it should be reviewed carefully.
Pay particular attention to:
- Your legal name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Country of citizenship
- Mailing address
- Email address
The goal is not to make the form feel complicated. The goal is to make sure the information is complete, accurate, and consistent before your request is submitted.
When applicants rush, the mistakes are usually small: a misspelled email address, an incomplete mailing address, or a signature that was missed. Small mistakes can create big frustration later.
4. Do Not Forget to Sign and Date the Form
This sounds obvious, but it is one of the easiest things to overlook.
Before your paperwork is submitted, make sure the FBI Applicant Information Form is signed and dated where required.
At our office, we review the important parts with applicants before submission. That extra review helps reduce avoidable mistakes and gives the applicant confidence that the request is ready to move forward.
Do I Need to Print the Form Before My Appointment?
If you are fingerprinted through our office, usually no.
We provide the current FBI Applicant Information Form during the appointment. We also answer questions, review the important details with you, and make sure the form is ready before your fingerprints are submitted.
That is one of the reasons many applicants prefer working with an experienced provider instead of trying to figure everything out alone. The paperwork is not hard, but it is much easier when someone can explain what actually matters.
What Should I Bring to an FBI Fingerprinting Appointment?
Most applicants should bring:
- A valid government-issued photo ID.
- A payment method.
- The email address they want to use if choosing electronic delivery.
In most cases, you do not need to bring a stack of paperwork. You do not need to become an expert in FBI forms before your appointment. The main thing is to bring proper identification and know which email address you want to use if you plan to receive your results electronically.
If your situation requires fingerprints on physical fingerprint cards, you may also want to review our Fingerprint Cards page, which explains FD-258 fingerprint cards and related fingerprint card services.
Is This the Same as a California Live Scan Form?
No. This is an important distinction.
A California Live Scan form is usually connected to a specific employer, licensing agency, government agency, or requesting organization. It often includes information such as the agency’s ORI, applicant type, and level of service. That form tells the California Department of Justice where the results should go.
The FBI Applicant Information Form is different. It is used when you are requesting your own FBI Identity History Summary.
This distinction matters because applicants sometimes confuse different background check systems. An FBI Identity History Summary is not always interchangeable with a California Live Scan or an agency-directed employment background check. The correct process depends on what the requesting agency actually requires.
If you are unsure whether you need an FBI background check, California Live Scan, or something else, start by confirming the requirement with the agency, attorney, employer, school, or foreign authority that requested it.
What Happens After the Paperwork Is Complete?
Once the Applicant Information Form is complete and your fingerprints are captured, the request can move forward for FBI processing.
At that point, the form and fingerprints work together. The fingerprints help identify the correct record, and the applicant information tells the FBI how to process and return the Identity History Summary.
If you are using the report for immigration, residency, dual citizenship, teaching abroad, adoption, or another international purpose, receiving the FBI Identity History Summary may only be the first step. Many applicants later need the report authenticated for international use.
If that applies to you, our International Document Translation & Apostille page explains how document authentication and translation may fit into the larger process.
Why This Matters Before You Schedule
The point of understanding the FBI Applicant Information Form is not to turn you into an expert on government paperwork. The point is to reduce uncertainty before your appointment.
Most applicants hesitate because they are not sure whether they are doing the right thing. They do not know which form they need, whether they need to print anything, whether they should choose email or mail, or what they should bring.
Once those questions are answered, the process becomes much less intimidating.
If you are ready to move forward, Anshin Mobile Notary & Live Scan can help with the fingerprinting, paperwork, and submission process for your FBI Identity History Summary. You can learn more on our FBI Background Check service page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paperwork do I need for an FBI background check?
If you are requesting your own FBI Identity History Summary, the main form is the FBI Applicant Information Form, also known as Form I-783. This form provides the FBI with your identifying information and tells the FBI how to return your results.
Do I need to print the FBI Applicant Information Form before my appointment?
If you are fingerprinted through our office, usually no. We provide the current form during the appointment and help you complete the important parts before your fingerprints are submitted.
Should I choose email or mail delivery?
Many applicants choose email because electronic delivery is typically faster. Some applicants prefer a paper copy by mail. The right choice depends on what you need and how you want to receive your FBI Identity History Summary.
Can I use my work email address for FBI results?
You can, but we generally recommend using a personal email address that you control and check regularly. Work, school, or corporate email systems may filter automated messages, and you may not always have access to those accounts later.
What should I bring to my FBI fingerprinting appointment?
Most applicants should bring a valid government-issued photo ID, a payment method, and the email address they want to use if they choose electronic delivery.
Is the FBI Applicant Information Form the same as a Live Scan form?
No. A California Live Scan form is usually connected to a specific agency, employer, or licensing process. The FBI Applicant Information Form is used when requesting your own FBI Identity History Summary.
What happens after I complete the form?
After the form is complete and your fingerprints are captured, the request can be submitted for FBI processing. The FBI then returns the Identity History Summary based on the delivery method selected.
Where can I get help with an FBI background check?
Anshin Mobile Notary & Live Scan assists applicants with FBI background check fingerprinting, paperwork, and related submission questions. You can learn more at our FBI Background Check page.