Obtaining an FBI Background Check From Canada Made Simple

If you're a US citizen or resident living in Canada, you'll need your FBI background check for employment, legal, immigration, and business purposes. The most common use case for FBI background checks is employment, Canadian and international employers usually ask for it to verify your criminal history. But it also comes up for permanent residency applications, long-term stay visas, and even professional licensing. In short, if you've spent a significant amount of time in the USA, this document will be required for wherever you go next.

If you are about to start with the process, you’re at the right place. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about getting your FBI background check from right here in Canada! 

No, the Canadian police cannot issue your FBI background checks. FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) is a US federal agency. Its background check system is based on US criminal records, fingerprint databases, and federal/state law enforcement data. And Canadian police have no access to or authority over this system.

Most people in Canada get confused at this step. Because while you cannot get an actual FBI background check from the Canadian police, they can help you with one specific part of the process.

1. They Can Take Your Fingerprints

Most local Canadian police stations will provide ink and roll fingerprinting services for a fee. You can take your own FD-258/FD-1164 fingerprint cards to them, and they will help you capture the prints.

2. They Cannot Submit to the FBI

Once the officer hands you back the completed fingerprint cards, their job is done. They will not mail them for you, and they cannot check the status of your US background check. You are responsible for mailing those cards to the FBI in West Virginia yourself.

3. They Cannot Issue the Final Report

A Canadian police station can only issue a Police Information Check (CPIC) or a Vulnerable Sector Check. These are Canadian records only and are entirely separate from the US FBI records.

If your employer or immigration officer specifically asked for an FBI Identity History Summary, a document from the Canadian police will be rejected.

Step 1: Get Fingerprinted on Official Cards

The first step of the process is to get your fingerprints taken on the FBI-compliant FD-258/FD-1164 cards. If you are looking for the best way to get your fingerprints taken for an FBI background check while in Canada, you have three main options.

Method A: Self Capture

To get an FBI Criminal Record Check in Canada, you actually have the option to take your own fingerprints at home. It sounds simple, but it’s actually quite difficult to get the roll perfect. If the prints are slightly smudged or the ink is too light, the FBI will reject them, and you’ll have to start the whole process over. Most people only choose this if they are in a very remote area with no other options.

Method B: Local Police Stations

You can visit your nearest local police station and have your fingerprints taken. But it’s not uncommon for police stations to be out of stock for the required fingerprint cards. Sometimes, the police officers are not equipped with the required skills or technique required to roll the prints for an international criminal record check. This frequently leads to smudged, blurry, or incomplete fingerprinting, and you might find yourself jumping around from one station to another trying to get an accurate capture.  

Method C: Third-Party Fingerprint Service Providers like Globeia Canada

This is a reliable and increasingly preferred method, as Globeia fingerprinting associates are highly trained for international submission standards. They are always stocked up with the required fingerprint cards and other equipment for the capture. You’ll have two options with them:

Mobile Fingerprinting: No matter where you are in Canada, you can book a mobile fingerprinting appointment. Trained associates will come to you at the comfort of your home and roll ink-based fingerprints on the official cards. 

Globeia Toronto Office: If you’re in Toronto, you can choose an in-office appointment. Your fingerprints will be taken using digital livescan technology and then printed onto the official FD-258/FD-1164 cards, which are fully compliant for submission to the FBI.  

Step	Method A: Self	Method B: Local Police Stations	Method C: Globeia Canada
Capture	Buy high-quality black ink, download the FD-258/FD-1164 card from the FBI website on a standard white paper stock, and roll your own fingerprints accurately on the cards.	Visit a local police station to have your prints taken by an officer and they will give the completed ink cards back to you to mail yourself.	You can visit their office in Toronto. If you can’t travel, they offer mobile fingerprinting across Canada, where a trained associate comes to your home or office with a kit.
Mail	You mail the physical cards to the FBI CJIS Division in West Virginia.	You mail the physical cards to the FBI CJIS Division in West Virginia.	Fingerprint cards and other documents will be couriered to Globeia USA, from where they’ll be submitted directly to the FBI CJIS on your behalf.

Step 2: Complete the FBI Identity History Summary Request Form

Once you have your prints, you have to fill out the Identity History Summary Request form. The easiest way is to go to the FBI’s official website and start an electronic request. They’ll send you an email with a link and a PIN to finish everything online. If you aren't a fan of doing things digitally, you can still download a paper version of the form and fill it out by hand, but the online option is usually preferred, and moves through the system a lot faster.

Step 3: Pay the Processing Fee

There is a standard fee of $18 USD to get your report. If you started your application online in the previous step, you can just pay right then and there with a credit card. If you are doing everything by mail, you’ll need to include a certified check or a money order for that same amount.

Step 4: Mail Your Application Package

Even if you applied online, you still have to mail in your physical fingerprint cards because they need the actual ink versions to scan into their system. Make sure you include your confirmation email or your printed application form so they know which payment goes with which fingerprints. It’s a good idea to use a courier or a tracked mailing service so you can see exactly when it arrives at their office.

Step 5: Wait and Receive Your Report

After fingerprints are submitted, the FBI independently processes the application and issues the Identity History Summary. Processing timelines are determined entirely by the FBI and vary based on individual circumstances, application volume, and verification requirements. Additional mailing time applies. The report will be sent to you via US Postal Service mail. Once you have it, double-check that everything is accurate.

Globeia’s operations in Canada don’t stop just after taking fingerprints. After the prints undergo an on-spot quality review to check for smudging or mistakes, they’re securely couriered to Globeia USA. This is the biggest advantage. Among its vast global network, Globeia also has an operational office in the USA. Fingerprints to the FBI are submitted directly on your behalf through that office. The entire process is coordinated under a single workflow, so you don't even need to travel or jump between multiple agencies or government authorities.

Many other built-in features make Globeia’s process more reliable and secure than doing it alone: 

Cross-Verification of Details

When you submit your application through Globeia's SmartForm, the automated system cross-verifies all entered details against your uploaded documents and IDs, ensuring accuracy before anything is submitted.  

Face ID Verification

Before confirming your appointment for fingerprinting, you will need to undergo a digital Face ID verification process. This feature has been added to make sure that the fingerprints are linked to the right person, leading to a much secure and trustworthy experience. 

Instant Quality Checks

Right after your fingerprints are rolled onto the FBI-compliant cards, a trained associate inspects them for smudging or blurriness. If there is even a small issue, they’re retaken in the same appointment.

Tamper Proof Letter of Identity Verification

At the end of each appointment, a Letter of Identification is issued for each person. The document serves as a record that your identity was thoroughly vetted using proper identification protocols, before the fingerprints were taken. It includes a secure, encrypted QR code. When scanned, it allows the receiving individual or agency to instantly verify the authenticity of the appointment and the person who was fingerprinted. 

Real-Time Status Updates and Tracking

Once your fingerprints are collected, you gain access to the Globeia SmartPortal. You can log in at any time from any device to see exactly where your application stands in the process. The FBI background check status tracking covers everything from fingerprinting to the final issuance of the certificate. You will also receive instant alerts when your application moves to a new stage.