How to Get a USA Criminal Record Check in New Zealand

Most New Zealand police checks can be requested online and require no fingerprinting at all. But when an NZ authority requires a criminal record check from someone who has lived in the US, a standard local check won't work. What they want is a full FBI Identity History Summary. This document serves as official, federal-level proof of your American background history.

In this blog, we have mapped out the entire application procedure below to help you secure your USA criminal record check in New Zealand.

An FBI Identity History Summary, commonly referred to as a USA criminal record check, is an official background report managed by the CJIS Division of the FBI. Unlike a state-level police check, an FBI check searches information maintained within the FBI's national fingerprint-based criminal history systems.

The document may include arrest information, criminal charges, and anything reported to the FBI. If the FBI cannot find a record associated with your fingerprints, the result may indicate that no arrest data was found.

Here are several common reasons why someone living in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or anywhere else in New Zealand would need this document:

1. Visa Requirements

Immigration New Zealand may require an FBI Identity History Summary if you have lived in the United States for a significant period of time. Common situations include:

• You are applying for a New Zealand temporary work, student, or visitor visa and your total stay in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer.
• You are applying for a New Zealand Resident Visa.
• You are 17 or older and have lived in the US for a total of 12 months or more within the last 10 years.

2. International and Local Employment Screenings

Many corporate sectors within New Zealand require international background verification for new hires. This is very common for positions within healthcare, early childhood and secondary education, financial services, and government contracting.

3. Professional Licensing Boards

If you are an American-trained professional or a Kiwi returning from the US, local registration boards will require a US background check. Boards like The Medical Council of New Zealand may give you a license to practice only after receiving the document. 

4. International Adoption Processes

New Zealand adoption authorities and international agencies require strict background checks to verify the safety and absolute legal clearance of prospective parents.

Note: Your criminal record check should be issued less than six months before your submission for your visa application.

You have three ways to go about the process of getting a USA criminal record check from New Zealand:

Skipping any requirement or submitting substandard materials may lead to rejection of your application. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Confirm Your Specific End-User Requirements

Before you begin, have the following ready:

• Your valid passport (original, not a photocopy).
• Any previous FBI correspondence or application reference numbers (if reapplying).
• The mailing address where you want your results delivered.
• A credit or debit card for online payment.

Step 2: Source the Proper Fingerprint Forms

The FBI will only accept fingerprints formatted onto specific, standardized layouts. The standard layout is the FD-258 or FD-1164 forms. If you are applying via traditional mail or the standard online portal, you will need to print this form out.

Print the fingerprint card clearly on suitable white cardstock or use professionally produced FBI-compliant cards. Standard printer paper wrinkles and smudges easily with wet ink, which causes scanner rejections.

Step 3: Get Professionally Fingerprinted in New Zealand

Fingerprinting for immigration and employment purposes are provided by private services in New Zealand. In many regions, NZ Police stations do not offer this and applicants are directed to private providers.

Check your region for a private fingerprinting service. Private providers are widely available across the country.

The Easy Way:

Globeia’s mobile fingerprinting services are available in New Zealand. Our trained associates will come to you with all the required materials and take high-quality impressions on compliant forms.

Tips for your fingerprint appointment:

• Wash your hands with a mild soap right before your appointment.
• If your hands are dry, apply a light moisturizer a few hours before.
• It is smart to buy a second set of fingerprints during your appointment. 

Step 4: Submit Your Application and Pay Fees

If you choose the direct FBI online portal, you will fill out your personal background information online, make a payment, and receive a confirmation email.

If you choose a third-party fingerprinting provider like Globeia, you will follow their unique online intake process. 

Step 5: Mail Your Physical Fingerprint Cards to the USA

Compile your completed fingerprint card, your online payment confirmation page, and any required background forms. It should be sent directly to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division in West Virginia.

Step 6: Secure the US Federal Apostille

If the authority requesting your FBI background check requires an apostille, you will need to complete the apostille process before submitting.

The report must be sent back to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. to get a federal apostille. Using a provider like Globeia allows you to bundle the FBI background check application and the federal Apostille services.

Managing a U.S. government process while living thousands of miles away requires careful handling of logistics. 

1. Choice of Postal and Courier Services

When sending your physical fingerprint cards from New Zealand across the world to the United States, your choice of shipping matters.

You might think standard international airmail is the most economical choice, but on the downside, there’s no real-time tracking once the package leaves New Zealand airspace.

If your package gets delayed or lost in transit, you will have no way of knowing, which can cause you to miss tight visa deadlines.

For critical documents like fingerprint cards, it is best to invest in a premium international courier service (such as DHL, FedEx, or NZ Post International Courier). These services offer:

• Full door-to-door tracking numbers.
• Predictable delivery windows (often 3 to 7 business days).
• Delivery confirmation signatures.

Knowing exactly when your package arrives at the FBI processing facility gives you peace of mind and allows you to accurately calculate your processing timeline.

2. Processing Timeframes and Seasonal Waves

Once your physical fingerprint documents are delivered to the FBI facility, the processing timeline depends entirely on the FBI. That’s why it’s important to account for seasonal variations.

There can be major surges in applications during specific times of the year. For example:

• June through August: High volumes of students and exchange travelers applying for global visas.
• The Holiday Season: Office closures and holiday postal backlogs can add days or weeks to your total turnaround time.

The only way to protect yourself against these seasonal delays is to submit your application well in advance of your target immigration date. Again, the processing time cannot be guaranteed.

3. Avoiding Fingerprint Rejections and Follow-Ups

The most common reason for an application delay is poor fingerprint quality. The FBI processes cards through high-speed digital scanners.

If your prints have any of the following issues, the automated system will likely reject them:

• Light or faint ink coverage.
• Smudged lines caused by moving a finger during rolling.
• Frayed skin textures or heavy scarring that obscures ridge lines.
• Missing ink sections on the borders of the fingers.

If your prints are rejected, the FBI will notify you via email, but they will not refund your processing fee or return your shipping costs.

You will have to book another fingerprint appointment in New Zealand, pay the provider again, and mail a new card to the United States.

A Smarter Alternative for Applicants in New Zealand

Managing fingerprint collection, international shipping, FBI submission requirements, and result delivery can be time-consuming when you're applying from overseas.

For applicants who would prefer a more streamlined process, Globeia offers fully mobile fingerprinting services across New Zealand through trained associates who travel to your home or office.

Once your fingerprints have been captured, completed fingerprint cards are mailed to Globeia Inc. in the USA, where they are processed and submitted to the FBI on your behalf.  For added convenience, applicants may also choose doorstep delivery of their completed results.

Our service model is designed to reduce the amount of international coordination that applicants would otherwise need to handle themselves.

Whether you apply directly through the FBI, use the FBI's electronic portal, or work with a third-party provider, the key is to start early. Use high-quality fingerprints and allow sufficient time for processing and international logistics.

Because requirements and timelines can vary depending on your purpose for obtaining the report, always confirm the latest instructions with the authority requesting the document.

Taking the time to get everything right the first time can help you avoid delays, additional costs, and the inconvenience of having to repeat the process.