How to Get FBI Background Check in Australia

When you're living in Australia but dealing with international paperwork, things can get confusing pretty quickly. One document that comes up a lot, especially for people who have previously lived or worked in the United States, is the FBI background check. It is also referred to as an Identity History Summary Check.

If you've recently received a request for one as part of a visa application, immigration process, or international job opportunity, you might be wondering what it actually is, how it's different from the Australian police check you already have, and whether you even need to travel to the US to get one.

No, an FBI background check and an Australian police check are not the same document.

While both are used to show whether you have a criminal record, they are issued by different authorities, cover different countries, and follow different processes. The level of detail they provide can also vary. 

This is commonly requested when applying for:

• Immigration or permanent residence
• Student visas
• Employment visas
• Long-term residence permits
• Other overseas immigration or licensing applications

If you have lived in both Australia and the USA, foreign immigration authorities may ask for Criminal Record Checks from both countries. This allows them to review your background across all places where you have lived.

So, if you have spent a significant amount of time in the USA, an Australian police check cannot replace an FBI background check. You will generally need the FBI check for your US history and the Australian police check for your time in Australia.

Many immigration, visa, and international employment applications require both documents to get an all-round picture of your background.

Yes, you can get an FBI background check while living in Australia. It’s not necessary to travel to the USA for that!

Step 1: Download the Application Form 

Go to the FBI CJIS website and download your Identity History Summary Request Form. The processing fee of $18 USD can be paid using your credit card credit card or by sending a money order or certified check payable to the Treasury of the United States.

Step 2: Fingerprinting Process 

You need to have your fingerprints taken on an FBI-approved fingerprint card, such as FD-258 or FD-1164. A local Australian police station or a private fingerprinting service provider can help you with this. 

You have to submit your signed application form, completed fingerprint cards, and the fee. Check the complete document checklist here! 

You have two main paths to submit your prints to the FBI:

You will receive the hard copy of your rap sheet via US postal courier services. 

No. The FBI does not offer an expedited processing service for Identity History Summary Checks. Even if you use a third-party agency or fingerprinting company, they cannot speed up the FBI's review process. The final processing timeline remains entirely under the FBI's control.

In general, you may experience the following processing turnaround, excluding the international mailing time:

• 1-3 days for US Citizens
• 2-3 weeks for Non-US Citizens

Be cautious of companies or agencies that advertise "express," "priority," or "guaranteed faster" FBI background checks. No third party can accelerate the FBI's internal processing.

Processing times may change due to factors such as application volume, verification requirements, staffing levels, public holidays, technical reviews, or temporary backlogs. For this reason, it is always recommended to apply well in advance of any immigration, employment, licensing, or visa deadlines.

Getting your fingerprints in Australia for an FBI Background Check involves a few specific steps, as the US Embassies and Consulates in Australia do not provide fingerprinting services. You generally have two options: State/Federal Police stations or private agencies.

Many private providers offer faster appointment availability and more flexible scheduling than police stations. Depending on the provider, you may be able to visit their office or arrange for a mobile fingerprinting service.

For example, some independent service providers, including Globeia Australia, offer mobile fingerprinting where a trained fingerprinting specialist travels to your home, workplace, or another convenient location to complete the process.

For many people, travelling to a police station, finding parking, and waiting for an appointment can be quite inconvenient and time-taking. Mobile fingerprinting services have become a popular smart alternative, particularly for those needing an FBI background check while living or working in Australia.

• No Travel: The most obvious benefit is that the associate comes to you. You don't have to suffer through the city traffic or take a half-day off.
• After-Hours: Police stations have a very limited window for fingerprinting. Mobile services often operate outside of standard 9-to-5 business hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Short Notice: In some areas, police station appointments can be booked out days or even weeks in advance. Mobile fingerprinting providers can arrange appointments within 24 to 48 hours.
• Rejection Prevention: The FBI rejects thousands of fingerprint cards every year because of smudges, poor rolling technique, or unclear impressions. Mobile fingerprinting specialists regularly handle FBI applications. They use high-quality ink and rolling techniques specifically designed to meet US federal standards.
• One Appointment for Groups: Instead of five family members making five separate police appointments, one technician can process everyone in a single hour at your home.

One of the biggest advantages of working with a specialized agency like Globeia is that you do not have to do the entire FBI background check process on your own.

The portal is designed to automatically cross-check the information you enter against the supporting documents you upload. This helps identify discrepancies early and reduces the chances of errors affecting your final application. 

• Globeia Sydney Office: If you are in Sydney, Globeia has an office at 333 George Street, NSW, Sydney, 2000 Australia. You can book an appointment to have your fingerprints taken professionally by their staff on the correct official forms.
• Outside Sydney: If you are located outside Sydney or prefer not to travel, you can choose Globeia's mobile fingerprinting service. A trained fingerprinting associate will travel to your home, workplace, or another convenient location with all the necessary fingerprint cards and equipment. 

As part of the same workflow, Globeia can coordinate your apostille request with the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications and arrange translations through authorized professional translators.

Depending on your preference, Globeia can arrange delivery by:

• Email
• Courier
• Both email and courier

The turnaround time for the FBI background check remains the same as discussed above, and Globeia cannot expedite or influence it.

Check How to Prepare for Your Mobile Fingerprinting Appointment?

You can apply for your FBI background check from Australia, and handle each stage of the process yourself. But as someone who is not well-versed with international standards, you might face many problems along the way. That’s why it’s smart to have someone by your side who has decades of experience in the industry. Globeia has served over 30,000 people in 100+ countries, and they know exactly what is required, when it is required, and how to help applicants like you move through the process efficiently.