About This Website
FBIFingerprintingLosAngeles.com is proudly operated by Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan. We help applicants understand the FBI background check process, from fingerprint collection through obtaining an FBI Identity History Summary. Our goal is to simplify a process that often seems far more confusing than it needs to be.
Most people spend all of their time thinking about whether they need an FBI background check. Almost nobody asks how they should receive it. From our experience, that one question can make the difference between a smooth application and an unexpected delay.
We occasionally meet applicants who successfully complete the FBI background check process only to learn afterward that the receiving organization expected the report in a different format. At that point, they’re not repeating the process because the report was wrong. They’re repeating it because nobody discussed the preferred delivery method before they applied.
“How should I receive my FBI background check?”
We hear this issue surprisingly often. Someone successfully completes the FBI background check process only to discover that the organization requesting the report expected it to be delivered differently.
The information contained in the report is generally the same. What may differ is the way the report is delivered and what the receiving organization is prepared to accept.
The FBI Gives You Options. The Receiving Organization May Not.
Depending on the submission method you choose, the FBI offers different delivery options.
Depending on the circumstances, you may receive:
- An electronic report that you download from the FBI.
- A printed report mailed by the FBI.
Many applicants simply choose whichever option seems faster.
From our experience, however, that’s not always the question you should be asking.
The better question is:
“How does the organization requesting my FBI background check want to receive it?”
Why Delivery Method Can Matter
One of the biggest misconceptions is that every organization accepts every version of an FBI Identity History Summary the same way.
That simply isn’t always true.
Some employers, licensing agencies, foreign governments, embassies, universities, or immigration authorities have their own internal document handling procedures.
Some are perfectly comfortable with an electronically downloaded PDF.
Others may prefer—or specifically require—that the report be mailed by the FBI or received in its original mailed form according to their own procedures.
The report itself isn’t necessarily different.
The receiving organization’s requirements may be.
Why Some Organizations Prefer Mailed Reports
This isn’t necessarily because they distrust the FBI’s electronic reports.
Instead, many organizations establish document handling policies designed to create consistency.
For example, they may prefer documents that arrive directly from the issuing authority rather than documents that have been downloaded, saved, printed, or forwarded by an applicant.
Some government offices also have strict IT and cybersecurity policies. Staff may not retrieve documents from emailed links, download attachments from outside organizations, or access external portals as part of their normal workflow.
Receiving a mailed document may simply fit better within their existing procedures.
Ask Before You Submit Your Application
This is one of the most practical pieces of advice we give applicants.
Before you complete your FBI background check request, ask the receiving organization exactly what they expect.
For example:
Ask the receiving organization:
- How do you want to receive my FBI Identity History Summary?
- Would you like me to forward the FBI’s email?
- Do you require the FBI to mail the report?
- Do you require something entirely different?
Five minutes spent asking those questions can prevent weeks of unnecessary delays later.
Sometimes They Don’t Want an FBI Report at All
Another situation we occasionally encounter is when applicants assume they need an FBI Identity History Summary when the requesting organization actually wants something else.
We’ve worked with applicants whose destination country or agency supplied its own fingerprint form instead of requesting an FBI report.
Others have been instructed to submit FD-258 fingerprint cards so the receiving authority could conduct its own background review.
That’s why it’s important not to assume every organization follows the same process.
The first thing we try to determine is exactly what document the receiving authority is requesting before fingerprints are ever taken.
The Bottom Line
People naturally focus on obtaining an FBI background check.
From our experience, it’s just as important to think about how you need to receive it.
Before you submit your request, ask one simple question:
“Exactly how do you want me to receive my FBI Identity History Summary?”
People naturally focus on getting the FBI background check. From our experience, the better approach is to focus on getting the right FBI background check in the right format for the organization requesting it.
That’s why one of the first questions we ask applicants isn’t simply whether they need an FBI background check—it’s exactly how the receiving organization wants to receive it.
If you’re still determining the best way to obtain your FBI Identity History Summary, learn more about the process on our FBI Background Check page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electronic FBI background check different from a mailed FBI background check?
The information on the report is generally the same. The primary difference is how the report is delivered and whether the receiving organization has preferences regarding that delivery method.
Should I always choose electronic delivery because it’s faster?
Not necessarily. Electronic delivery is often the fastest option, but you should first confirm that the organization requesting your FBI Identity History Summary accepts it.
Can I change my delivery method after submitting my FBI request?
Depending on where you are in the process, changing delivery preferences may not always be possible. It’s best to determine the receiving organization’s requirements before submitting your application.
What if the organization wants fingerprint cards instead of an FBI background check?
Some organizations conduct their own background review and require fingerprint cards or their own fingerprint forms instead of an FBI Identity History Summary. Always follow the instructions provided by the organization requesting your documentation.