FBI Background Check Fingerprinting for Employment: What You Need to Know

You have been selected for your dream job overseas, but your employer has asked you to submit fingerprints for an FBI Background Check. It is a federal criminal history verification conducted by the FBI using your fingerprints to identify you and search its records.

The request may leave you with several questions about what it involves and why your employer needs it. If you have completed an FBI Background Check before, you may wonder whether you can use the same report or fingerprint card for your new job. The answer depends on what your employer or requesting authority requires. 

The requirement of an FBI fingerprinting for employment depends on your designation, applicable regulations, government rules. Here are the most common services or industries that may ask for a fingerprint-based FBI background check: 

No. Both the processes are different and confusing the two can cause problems with your application if your employer specifically needs an FBI Background Check:  

What appears on the FBI Identity History Summary depends on the information maintained by the FBI. An employer may see the following details:

• Identity information associated with the fingerprint submission.
• Arrest records reported to the FBI and retained in its records.
• Disposition information, when it has been reported and is available.
• Certain federal records associated with fingerprint submissions, where applicable.

Note: The report does not represent a complete search of every criminal record in the United States. State, local, or other records may exist outside the information maintained by the FBI.  

Yes. If you find inaccurate or incomplete information in your FBI Identity History Summary, you can challenge the record and request a correction. The FBI allows individuals to obtain their own Identity History Summary for personal review and to request a change, correction, or update when necessary.  

Before submitting the FBI fingerprinting report to your employer, review the information carefully. Pay attention to details related to your identity, arrest records, or dispositions. If you believe something is wrong or incomplete, your challenge should clearly identify the disputed information and include available supporting documentation. 

Fingerprint submission is one of the most important steps of an FBI Background Check. Submitting a wrong fingerprint card, or choosing a provider that fails to follow strict federal guidelines, will lead to immediate rejections and severe delays.

Identifying these issues beforehand is crucial for employment applications with firm onboarding deadlines:

Poor fingerprint quality

Submitting smudged, incomplete, and blurry impressions are a common cause of rejection. If the ridges of your fingers are not perfectly distinct, the FBI’s automated scanners may not be able to read them properly. In such cases, you can be asked to resubmit your fingerprints to the FBI.

Incorrect Personal Information

Any typographical errors in your legal name, date of birth, or identification numbers on the fingerprint card may create data discrepancies. Mismatch in your personal details can cause the system to flag or reject the prints.

Incomplete Fingerprint Cards

Not reviewing the card properly before submission is a serious issue that can delay your Identity History Summary delivery and employment process. Leaving required fields blank or missing any of the ten rolled impressions can cause rejections or returns without being processed.

Using the Wrong Form or FBI Card

The FBI requires specific cards, most commonly the standard FBI Fingerprinting Form FD-258. Printing this form on a thin printer paper instead of the officially stated heavy cardstock may also result in delays.  

Submitting a Reused Previous Card

Fingerprint cards used for a past background check cannot be resubmitted for a new background check evaluation. The FBI mandates that a brand-new, original set of fingerprints must be rolled for every fresh request. 

Globeia can coordinate the FBI fingerprinting and related background check application steps through one process. This is particularly useful for international employees who need to complete the FBI requirement from outside the United States: 

Here is what you usually need to bring with you for an FBI fingerprinting appointment for employment:

• Valid government-issued photo ID: Bring an acceptable identification document that matches the information on your employment application.
• Required fingerprint card (if applicable): If your fingerprinting service provider does not provide the FBI fingerprinting card, you need to arrange and bring the official card yourself.
• FBI request or employer instructions: Bring any instructions provided by your employer or the organization requesting the background check. These instructions can specify the required fingerprint card, forms, or other information needed for the request.
• Application information: Have the personal details required for your FBI Background Check available, including your legal name, date of birth, and other identifying information.
• Additional documents, if required: Bring any supporting documents specifically requested for your employment background check. Requirements can vary depending on the employer or organization requesting the FBI check.

Completing FBI fingerprinting for employment can add extra steps to an already complicated hiring process. You may have to arrange a specific fingerprint card, fill out accurate application details, and submit clear fingerprint impressions. Getting these requirements right from the start can help avoid unnecessary delays or repeat submissions.

Whether you are completing the process in the United States or from abroad, Globeia provides professional fingerprinting, application preparation, document review, and FBI submission coordination.

Need FBI fingerprinting for employment? Explore Globeia’s FBI Identity History Summary Check service to get started.