What Documents Do I Need for Fingerprinting?

Many international background check applicants realise that getting fingerprinted is the easy part. But knowing exactly which documents to bring to their appointment, including the right identity document, the correct fingerprint card, and any supporting forms specific to your destination authority, is where most people run into problems.

Whether you are applying for an RCMP Criminal Record Check, a US FBI Identity History Summary, FINRA registration, or an international immigration or visa application, arriving at your fingerprinting appointment unprepared can delay your entire submission. This blog covers exactly what documents you need, and how a professional in-office or mobile fingerprint service provider like Globeia handles confirms your document checklist before every appointment.

There are five major categories of documents you usually should have handy before the fingerprinting appointment:

• Your Government Identity Document

It could be a valid passport or any accepted government-issued photo ID to verify your identity at the appointment.

• The Correct Fingerprint Card

Not all fingerprinting service providers are equipped with the officially accepted fingerprint card designated by the requesting authority. You need to ensure that before booking the appointment.

• Supporting Forms

Sometimes other supporting documents, like consent letters, application information forms, or declaration is required by the requesting authority.

• Proof of Purpose

An official request letter, application reference, or registration number from the employer, licensing body, or immigration authority requesting the background check certificate is required by some authorities.

• Letter of Identity Verification

An official document issued by your fingerprinting provider confirming that identity was verified at the time of collection. This letter is also required by some embassies, immigration authorities, and licensing bodies.

A valid passport is the primary identity document required for international fingerprinting appointments and is the most universally accepted form of identification across all authorities - RCMP, FBI, FINRA, immigration, and licensing bodies.

Some fingerprinting providers may also accept:

• National identity card (where accepted by the provider and destination authority)
• Driver's licence (where accepted by the provider and destination authority)

For UAE-based appointments, your Emirates ID may be used for on-site identity verification alongside your passport but is not a substitute for passport details on the fingerprint card itself.

RCMP Criminal Record Check (Canada)

An RCMP Criminal Record Check is required for Canadian immigration, permanent residence, citizenship, adoption, professional licensing, and overseas employment. This is one of the most commonly requested international background checks from locations including Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Spain, and Portugal.

What you need:

• Valid passport
• Completed RCMP fingerprint card (C-216C or RCMP-accepted equivalent). The card should be provided by your fingerprinting provider.
• Consent form, if required by the organisation requesting the check.
• Any application forms required by your employer, immigration authority, or licensing body

Important: RCMP fingerprint submissions must be coordinated through an RCMP-accredited company in Canada. A fingerprinting provider that cannot confirm their connection to an RCMP-accredited company in Canada cannot submit your fingerprints to the RCMP. Your application will be rejected regardless of print quality.

FBI Identity History Summary (USA)

Required for US immigration, employment, professional licensing, foreign residency, and any application involving federal criminal history records.

What you need:

• Valid passportd
• Completed FD-258 fingerprint card - supplied by your fingerprinting provider
• Completed FBI Applicant Information Form, where applicable to your submission route.
• Supporting forms required by the organisation requesting the check

FINRA Registration (USA)

Financial industry professionals registering with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority are required to submit fingerprints under FINRA Rule 17f-2 as a mandatory part of the registration process.

What you need:

• Valid passport
• FINRA fingerprint card that is designated specifically for FINRA submissions. This card is not interchangeable with the FBI FD-258 or RCMP C-216C.
• Supporting registration documentation as required by your firm or FINRA

Immigration and Visa Applications

Many countries require fingerprint-based background checks as part of immigration, visa, or permanent residency applications, particularly from countries where the applicant has previously lived, worked, or studied.

What you typically need:

• Valid passport
• Completed fingerprint card specific to the destination country's authority
• Application forms from the relevant immigration authority
• Consent or declaration forms where required
• Letter of Identity Verification from your fingerprinting provider, required by some authorities as proof that identity was verified at the time of collection

Common immigration-related fingerprinting requirements by destination:

A professional fingerprinting provider should supply the correct official fingerprint card for your specific application based on your destination authority and application type.

If a provider asks you to source your own fingerprint card without clear guidance, confirm the exact card required with the requesting authority before your appointment. Using the wrong card, even with perfectly clear prints, results in automatic rejection.

Arriving without the correct documents does not just inconvenience you, it can have serious consequences for your application timeline and costs. 

The appointment cannot proceed

Without a valid passport, the fingerprint card cannot be completed accurately and then you will have to reschedule the appointment.

The card may be completed incorrectly and rejected later

If any appointment proceeds with inaccurate personal details, the receiving authority will reject your application and you will know it weeks after submitting the documents, resulting in a full restart of the process.

Delays in submissions

Visa, immigration, and licensing deadlines continue regardless of fingerprinting delays.  Any missed or failed submission can invalidate an entire application cycle.

Resubmission costs accumulate

If your card gets rejected, you will have to pay for the fingerprinting services, card, and international courier costs for a second submission. This increases the overall cost of the application.

For applicants in Dubai, the UAE, Kuala Lumpur, Spain, Portugal, and other international locations, Globeia provides professional fingerprinting services for RCMP, FBI, FINRA, immigration, and other international background checks.

The best part is Globeia also offers in-office services where you can directly visit the office and get fingerprinted for the appropriate application. Apart from the in-office option Globeia also offers convenient mobile fingerprinting services in many countries where a trained associate visits you at your location and preferred time with all the required documents. 

What happens at every fingerprinting appointment:

• Globeia arranges the correct official fingerprint card for your specific authority - FD-258 for FBI, C-216C for RCMP, or the designated card for FINRA, ACRO, AFP, and other authorities.
• A documentation checklist tailored to your destination authority and application type.
• Identity verification linked to your appointment through Globeia's SmartPortal before the associate arrives.
• Your passport details are cross-checked against the fingerprint card before the appointment completes.
• Rolled and flat impressions are captured according to the receiving authority's requirements.
• Any unclear fingerprint is retaken immediately before your card is finalized.
• A Letter of Identity Verification is also issued by Globeia which ascertains your identity details.

Globeia coordinates submissions:

• RCMP Criminal Record Checks are coordinated through Globeia Incorporated in Canada - an RCMP-accredited company. The completed fingerprint card is coordinated through Globeia Incorporated in Canada for digitisation and electronic submission to the RCMP's CCRTIS.
• FBI Identity History Summary submissions are coordinated through Globeia Inc. in the United States.
• For other international authorities, fingerprints are collected on the appropriate card with submission guidance provided for your specific country and authority.

Globeia serves Background Check applicants internationally, including:

Applying for a Canadian Criminal Record Check, FBI Identity History Summary, FINRA registration, or another international background check? Book Globeia’s professional fingerprinting services.

Having the right documents at your fingerprint appointment can make the difference between a smooth submission and an avoidable resubmission of the application. The exact document requirement and fingerprinting guidelines depend on various factors, including the requesting authority, destination country, and purpose of your background check. Therefore, confirming the document checklist before your appointment is essential.

Nothing can save your time and money more than professional help. Whether you need an RCMP Criminal Record Check, FBI Identity History Summary, FINRA fingerprinting, or fingerprinting for an international immigration application, Globeia helps you prepare the correct documents, verify your identity, and complete the fingerprinting process according to the relevant requirements.

Have your documents ready and avoid any unnecessary delays. Book your fingerprinting appointment with Globeia today.