What Does an FBI Background Check Show: How to Read It?

Many applicants successfully get their FBI Identity History Summary, but don't know how to read it. They open the envelope or download the PDF expecting a clear and comprehensible document, only to be confused by police codes, legal acronyms, and fragmented timelines that can be difficult to interpret.

The information in an FBI Identity History Summary comes from fingerprint records maintained in FBI systems. The details shown in the report can vary depending on the records associated with the individual. Understanding what the information on the report means, can help you identify what each section means and what may need your further attention.

This guide explains what an FBI Background Check shows and what to check once you get it. Moreover, it also discusses how professional coordinators, such as Globeia, help applicants understand the documentation associated with their FBI Background Check and coordinate the additional services that may be required for its use.

An FBI Identity History Summary report provides information associated with your fingerprints that is maintained in FBI records. If the search identifies any criminal record associated with your fingerprints, the report can provide details about the recorded event, the offence involved, and the outcome reported to the FBI.

This is a fingerprint-based check and does not look up your name or Social Security number. It pulls records directly tied to the biometric fingerprints you submitted.

Here are the main types of information you may see in an FBI Identity History Summary:

1. Personal Identification & Biographical Data

The FBI identity History Summary includes personal information linked to your fingerprint record. This may include the following details:

• Full Name & Aliases: The name associated with the fingerprint record, along with other names that may appear as aliases.
• Physical Description: Biographical details such as date of birth, height, weight, eye color, hair color, sex, and place of birth.
• Unique Identification Numbers: The State Identification Number (SID) and Universal Control Number (UCN). 

2. Criminal Arrest History - The "Cycles"

A major part of the document includes details about your criminal record. If an arrest record appears on the report, it can include information about the arrest, the charges reported, and the agency that submitted the information.

The FBI may present this information as part of an arrest cycle along with the related or available disposition information:

• Date of Arrest: The date associated with the recorded arrest.
• Originating Agency Identifier (ORI): The identifier for the agency that submitted the arrest information. The arresting agency's ORI may differ from the court's ORI.
• Arrest Charges: The charges reported in connection with the arrest.

3. Judicial Dispositions - Court Outcomes

When disposition information is available, the FBI Identity History Summary shows how an arrest or charge was resolved. It may include the following information:

• Court Charges: The charges associated with the case as reported to the FBI.
• Disposition: The outcome of the charge, such as guilty, convicted, acquitted, dismissed, or dropped.
• Sentencing and Fine Information: Details about the sentence or fines associated with the disposition, when reported.

If an arrest involves multiple charges, each count may have a separate disposition. One charge may not apply to every charge in the same arrest record.

4. Federal, Military, and Other Fingerprint Records

An FBI Identity History Summary may also include information from fingerprint submissions retained by the FBI related to federal employment, military service, in addition to information related to arrest. Hence, the report may contain information beyond arrest and disposition records, based on the fingerprint submissions maintained in FBI records.

Here are the key things to keep in mind when reviewing your report:

• Start with the biographical information

The Biographic Set Identifier (BSI) contains basic information linked to the fingerprint record. Check these details carefully to make sure they match your personal information. Names may appear differently if you used another name during an arrest. Other names associated with your record may be listed as aliases.  

• Pay attention to caveats and notices

An FBI Identity History Summary may have additional notice information if relevant. These can provide information about matters such as warrants or sex-offender status.

• Look at the arrest information

An arrest entry can include the charges associated with the arrest and an Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) for the agency that submitted the information. The agency that made the arrest and the court handling the case may have different ORIs.

• Review the outcome of each charge

When disposition information is available, it can show the court charge, how the charge was resolved, and any sentencing or fine information. If an arrest involves multiple charges, each charge may have its own disposition, so the outcome of one charge may not apply to the others.

• Check for an interim disposition

Your report may also include an interim disposition when a matter has not yet reached its final outcome. For example, the disposition may remain pending while you complete a required program.

• Do not assume a missing disposition means a conviction

An arrest or charge can appear without corresponding disposition information. If no disposition is shown, the report does not tell you the final outcome of that matter.

• Review any additional court or custody information

Your report may also contain supplemental court data or information related to correctional placement, probation, or parole when that information has been received from a correctional facility.

A further investigation may require finding the outcome if your FBI Background Check shows an arrest without disposition information. The arresting agency may not have updated or available disposition information and may refer you to the court with jurisdiction over the case.

The format of arrest records may also vary from state to state, so your FBI Identity History Summary may not look exactly the same as another person's report.

After reviewing your FBI Identity History Summary, the next step is to check whether the report meets the requirements of the organization or authority requesting it. Depending on how you plan to use the report, you may need to:

• Submit the report as received

If the receiving authority only asks for an FBI Identity History Summary, you may not require any additional document.

• Obtain an FBI Apostille

If you need to submit your FBI Background Check in a Hague Convention country, you may need to have the report apostilled before submitting it to the relevant authority. Globeia can coordinate the FBI apostille process and help with the documentation required for submission.

• Arrange a certified translation

If the receiving authority requires an English-to-local-language translation, you may need a certified translation of your FBI Background Check. Globeia can coordinate certified translations as part of the document preparation process.

• Following country-specific authentication requirements

Some destinations have additional requirements for using U.S. documents abroad. Before submitting your FBI Background Check, verify whether an apostille, authentication, legalization, or other supporting documentation is required.

• Obtaining a new FBI Background Check Report

If the receiving authority requires a more recent FBI Background Check or does not accept the report you already have, you may need to request a new one. Globeia can help coordinate the fingerprinting and FBI Background Check process again, so you can obtain a new report for the intended application.

Many applicants receive their FBI Identity History Summary and realize that it includes way more than a list of arrests. It shows the identifying information, recorded events, and available outcomes that are connected to your fingerprint record. Knowing how to read these entries in the report helps you understand what the report says and what may need attention before you submit it.

If the report is for an international application, Globeia can help coordinate the next documentation steps. This may include obtaining a new FBI Background Check when required, resubmitting your fingerprints, and arranging an apostille or certified translation for international use.

Submit your FBI Background Check application with Globeia