Easy Guide to Get an FBI Background Check For Spain in 2025

Chasing the sun in Barcelona, having a coffee in Madrid or starting a new job in Seville, moving to Spain is surely full of thrills but also paperwork. FBI background check is one of the documents that often catches Americans living abroad by surprise. The Spanish government stipulates this American criminal record to assure safety, integrity, and legal compliance. It gives a verified report of your U.S. criminal history which is necessary for visas, residency permits, and adoption requests. An FBI background check for Spain is not simply a paperwork process; it is your passport to getting these opportunities without waiting. If you get it right on the first try, it will be very easy, quick, and pleasant for you to move to Spain.

A U.S. FBI background check officially called an Identity History Summary Check, is a comprehensive report of an individual’s criminal history in the United States. The report is compiled from the FBI’s national fingerprint database and includes records of arrests, charges, convictions, and other federal criminal history information.

For applicants moving to or working in Spain, this check is often a mandatory requirement. Spanish authorities use it to verify that individuals have a clean criminal record in the U.S., ensuring compliance with immigration, employment, and legal standards.

Key points about the FBI background check:

• It is fingerprint-based, meaning each record is tied to your unique fingerprints to ensure accuracy.
• It is issued directly by the FBI, making it an official and trusted source of criminal history information.
• It is often required for visas, residency, professional licensing, work permits, and adoption in Spain.
• The report can be requested from anywhere in the world, but it must originate from the U.S. FBI to be valid.

Understanding this process helps applicants provide the right documentation for Spanish authorities, avoid delays, and ensure smooth processing of their applications abroad.

Spain frequently asks for a U.S. FBI background check as proof of compliance with the legal, security, and professional requirements of the country for people coming from the United States. The FBI check is taken as a certified record of your criminal history which gives the Spanish officials the assurance in your character and reliability.

The following are some of the major reasons for Spain’s FBI background check requests:

• Visa and Immigration Applications: Spanish embassies and immigration centers rely on the FBI criminal record to assure that the applicants do not have serious criminal history in the U.S., therefore they are eligible for getting work, residency, or long-term visas.
• Employment Verification: An FBI background check may be a requirement for employment in international businesses and organizations in Spain where the company is operating in a sensitive area, such as finance, healthcare, or security.
• Professional Licensing: A U.S. FBI check is necessary to prove that you are legally proper for practice in some regulated professions in Spain, including teaching, nursing, and legal aid.

• Adoption and Family Legal Matters: Authorities may ask for a clean FBI background report to prove a safe and legal home environment for the adoption or the family-related legal issues cases.
• Personal Verification: Some people get an FBI background check done for personal reasons like confirming their criminal record or preventing identity fraud. 

Getting your U.S. FBI background check for Spain is a straightforward process if you follow these key steps:

Step 1: Confirm Spain’s Requirements

Before starting, check what Spanish authorities need. Some offices may require an apostille or certified Spanish translation along with your FBI report. Confirm if the background check is for a visa, work permit, professional licensing, or adoption, so you submit the correct documents.

Step 2: Get Your Fingerprints Taken

The FBI background check is fingerprint-based, so you’ll need clear and legible fingerprints on an FBI-approved card (FD-258 or equivalent). You can have fingerprints taken at a local police station, certified fingerprinting agency, or through a professional service.

Step 3: Choose Your Submission Method

There are three main ways to submit your fingerprints and application for the FBI report:

• DIY: Submit directly to the FBI by mail, official but time-consuming.
• Channeler: Authorized intermediaries can submit for you, faster but may require extra fees.
• Accredited Service (Recommended: Globeia): A professional, fully guided option that handles the entire process, including tracking, apostille, and Spanish translation.

Step 4: Receive Your FBI Background Check

After processing, you’ll receive your official FBI report. Using an accredited service ensures it’s accurate, complete, and ready for submission to Spanish authorities.

Step 5: Apostille and Translation (if needed)

For legal use in Spain, your FBI background check may require an apostille from the U.S. Department of State and a certified Spanish translation. Professional services like Globeia can manage both steps efficiently.

Getting your U.S. FBI background check for Spain is easier than you might think. Spanish authorities only accept the official FBI report, so it must be requested directly from the United States. Applicants abroad have a few convenient options:

1. Do-It-Yourself (DIY): Applying directly to the U.S. FBI on your own is the official route, but it can be time-consuming and complex. You are responsible for submitting fingerprints, filling out forms accurately, paying fees, and tracking your application. Any errors in fingerprints, forms, or mailing can delay your FBI background check, making this method less convenient for applicants abroad. You can apply directly to the FBI by mail using the official address:

2. Using the FBI eDO Portal: The FBI eDO portal is an official online system that allows you to request your background check quickly and securely from anywhere in the world. It’s faster than mailing your application and reduces the risk of errors, as the portal guides you through each step, including uploading fingerprint cards and paying the fee online. While convenient, you may still need to handle apostille requests or certified Spanish translation separately for submission to Spanish authorities.

Visit the portal: https://www.edo.cjis.gov

3. Using an Accredited Service (Recommended- Globeia):

Choosing an accredited and authorized service like Globeia provides a fully guided and reliable solution. Globeia manages every step from submitting your fingerprints to the FBI, tracking your official report, obtaining apostilles, and providing certified Spanish translations. With professional support, error-free submissions, and faster processing times, Globeia ensures your U.S. FBI background check for Spain is accurate, secure, and ready for use in immigration, work permits, professional licensing, or adoption applications.

The processing time for a U.S. FBI background check can vary depending on the submission method. Direct applications by mail typically take 3-5 weeks, while submissions through the FBI’s eDO portal are faster, often processed in 2-3 weeks. Using an accredited service like Globeia can significantly reduce waiting time, as they manage document review, track submissions, and ensure all requirements are completed correctly, helping applicants receive their FBI report for Spain more efficiently.

Yes, in most cases, a U.S. FBI background check must be apostilled for use in Spain. The apostille, issued by the U.S. Department of State, certifies the document as an official U.S. record and ensures Spanish authorities legally recognize it. Without an apostille, your FBI background check may be rejected for visas, work permits, professional licensing, or adoption. Accredited services like Globeia can handle the apostille process seamlessly, saving time and avoiding errors.

Spanish authorities usually require a certified Spanish translation of your FBI background check to process applications. This translation must be done by a sworn translator to ensure legal validity. Providing a properly translated FBI report prevents delays in visa applications, work permits, or other official procedures. Services like Globeia offer professional translation along with apostille handling, giving applicants a ready-to-submit document for Spanish authorities.

When applying for a U.S. FBI background check for Spain, avoid these common errors:

• Incomplete or smudged fingerprints: Ensure fingerprints are clear and taken on an FBI-approved card (FD-258).
• Using outdated forms: Always download the latest FBI application forms to prevent delays.
• Skipping the apostille: Without a U.S. Department of State apostille, Spanish authorities may reject your FBI report.
• Not getting a certified Spanish translation: Required for visas, work permits, and other official submissions.
• DIY mailing errors: Incorrect addresses or missing documents can significantly delay processing.
• Ignoring Spain-specific requirements: Verify whether your application is for a visa, work permit, adoption, or professional licensing.

When it comes to obtaining a U.S. FBI background check for Spain, Globeia offers a trusted, end-to-end solution that simplifies the process for applicants abroad. As an RCMP and FBI-accredited company with offices in both the U.S. and Canada, Globeia combines advanced AI-driven platforms with personalized human support to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

With over 30,000 clients and a 4.9 Google rating, Globeia guarantees 98% accuracy and 92% faster results compared to standard submission methods. From fingerprint submission to apostille processing and certified Spanish translation, Globeia manages every step, saving time and preventing common errors. Competitive pricing and a comprehensive one-stop solution make it ideal for applicants seeking a reliable, stress-free process. Whether you need the FBI background check for visa applications, work permits, adoption, or professional licensing in Spain, Globeia ensures your documents are secure, accepted, and ready for submission.

Obtaining a U.S. FBI background check for Spain is a crucial step for anyone planning to live, work, or study in the country. From verifying criminal history to ensuring legal compliance for visas, work permits, adoption, or professional licensing, this official report is essential. Choosing the right submission method, especially through an accredited service like Globeia, can save time, prevent errors, and make the process smooth and reliable. By following the correct steps and using trusted support, your FBI background check for Spain can be accurate, fully compliant, and ready for Spanish authorities.