Understanding the Process for Getting a USA Background Check When Living in Spain

Living abroad often requires navigating various administrative and legal processes to meet both local and international requirements. An example of this is getting a USA Background Check while in Spain.

Be it for immigration, employment, some legal procedure, or just to comply with formality, the USA background check must be understood in terms of how to go about applying for one.

This blog covers the key steps, methods, and considerations for obtaining a USA background check from Spain, including different application methods, dos and don'ts, and other possibly useful services.

A USA background check is a formal document that provides details regarding an individual’s criminal history in the United States of America (USA). It includes details regarding arrests, convictions, pending charges, judicial orders, etc. This USA criminal background check is conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

This document is commonly required for visa applications, work permits, employment verification, and residency or citizenship applications. It confirms the applicant's criminal history in the United States and is commonly required alongside local documentation when applying for residency or other official purposes in Spain.  

This usually encompasses a verification of a person's identity by fingerprints, which is the most precise and dependable form of verification.

When Spanish authorities request a USA background check, they are asking for the FBI Identity History Summary, an official document compiled directly from the FBI's national fingerprint database. Understanding exactly what this document contains helps applicants prepare for what Spanish authorities will review.

What the FBI Identity History Summary includes:

The document covers criminal history information that has been reported to the FBI at the federal level. This includes:

• Arrests and charges, regardless of whether they resulted in a conviction.
• Federal criminal convictions and sentences.
• Pending charges at the federal level.
• Disposition information, where available, means whether a charge was dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or led to conviction.
• Records submitted by federal law enforcement agencies, military law enforcement, and certain state agencies that report to the FBI's national database.

The process of applying for a USA background check from Spain differs according to the method you choose. Here are the three major methods, applying by mail, using the FBI's online portal, or through hiring third-party agencies.

1. Applying by Mail

If you prefer a conventional approach, you can apply by mailing your documents and your application directly to the FBI.

• Prepare Your Documents: Start by downloading the USA background check form from their website. Fill out the form carefully, ensuring that all details match your identification documents. Arrange all the relevant documents that are required along with the application submission.
• Get Fingerprinted: Go to visit a professional fingerprinting company in Spain or attach to a local police station to get the fingerprints on the FD-258/FD-1164 fingerprint card. Be sure that the prints are smudge-free, clear, and legible.
• Pay the Fee: The application fee must be paid via a certified check, money order, or credit card. Avoid cash or personal checks as they will not be accepted by authorities.
• Mail Your Application: Send your completed form, fingerprint card, and payment to the address: FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306, USA.

2. Applying Online

For a faster and more convenient process, the FBI’s eDO portal allows individuals to apply for a USA background check online.

• Visit the Portal: Visit the eDO portal at www.edo.cjis.gov and create an account.
• Submit Personal Information: Complete the online form with your details, including your name, address, and reason for requesting the background check.
• Payment: Pay the application fee using a credit card, PayPal, or any accepted payment method.
• Submit Fingerprints: Once your application is submitted, mail your fingerprint card to the address specified in the email confirmation.
• Track Your Status: Use the confirmation email to monitor the status of your application and receive results through your chosen delivery method.

3. Applying Via Third-Party Agencies

If you prefer guided assistance, a trusted third-party agency like Globeia can coordinate the submission process on your behalf.

• Complete the Application: Complete the application by adding your details and uploading relevant documents.
• Complete the Payment: Complete the payment by adding the billing details and selecting a payment method.
• Have Your Fingerprints Collected: A trained Globeia associate collects your rolled ink impressions on official FD-258 or FD
• 1164 fingerprint cards at your location. Each impression is reviewed on the spot for clarity and completeness before the cards are prepared for dispatch.
• Mail Original Fingerprint Card: Once the quality review is completed and approved, you can send your original fingerprint to Globeia Inc. in the US.Your completed fingerprint cards are mailed to Globeia Inc. in the USA for processing and submission to the FBI on your behalf.
• Receive Results: Processing times are determined entirely by the FBI and vary depending on the applicant's status and application volume. Globeia coordinates the submission process but does not control FBI processing timelines.

For official use in Spain, an FBI background check often needs an apostille from the U.S. Department of State. The apostille confirms that the FBI document is genuine and allows it to be recognised in Spain and other countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

If your Spanish visa, residency, employment, or legal application requires an apostilled FBI report, Globeia can assist with the apostille coordination process after your FBI background check has been issued.

If you were to bring the USA Criminal Record Check to authorities in non-English-speaking countries like Spain, you might also need to have it certified and translated into Spanish. 

Getting a USA Background Check while being located in Spain is quite necessary for many legal and professional purposes. Whether you are applying for immigration, a work permit, or residency, this record will detail your criminal history inside the United States.

A good understanding of application methods, documentation preparation, and avoidance of common pitfalls guarantees a smooth and hassle-free process.

Globeia can coordinate apostille services for your FBI background check document, submitted to the U.S. Department of State on your behalf. Globeia can coordinate the FBI background check application process, helping reduce administrative complexity for applicants abroad.

If you are interested in applying for an FBI criminal background check now, you can click here.