How to get a police certificate – United States
If you need to give your fingerprints for a police certificate, this isn’t the same as giving your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) for an application.
Do I need to provide a police certificate with my application for permanent residence? Yes
Name of document to get:
- Identity History Summary, issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
If you’re a citizen of the United States
Submit a request online
You can request an Identity History Summary from the FBI online.
- Complete the online form
- Receive a confirmation email
- Get your fingerprints taken on an official fingerprint form (FD-258) on standard white paper stock
- Mail your fingerprints and a copy of your confirmation email to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division
- Pay your fees
It takes 3 to 5 business days for an electronic check. The FBI can send it to you by:
- email through a secure link and personal identification number or
- First Class mail via the U.S. Postal Service
Request an Identity History Summary online
Submit a request by mail
- Complete the Applicant Information Form from the FBI website
- Get your fingerprints taken on an official fingerprint form (FD-258) on standard white paper stock
- Mail your application form, fingerprints card and payment to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division
You can pay the processing fee by credit card, certified cheque or money order, payable to the U.S. Treasury.
The FBI will send you a letter with the results of your record check. That letter will be your police certificate. Send that letter and any attached documents to the immigration office processing your file.
The FBI may take longer than 60 days to process a mail-in request for a police certificate.
Submit your request to a channeler
U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply to an FBI-approved channeler (a third party that helps deliver your information to the FBI). They will collect your application form, fingerprints and fee and give them to the FBI.
Once the FBI completes the background check, they will send the results to the channeler who will then give you a record check letter. That letter will be your police certificate.
Include the record check letter with your application and send us the complete package.
If you’re not a citizen of United States
Submit a request online
You can request an Identity History Summary from the FBI online.
- Complete the online form
- Receive a confirmation email
- Get your fingerprints taken on an official fingerprint form (FD-258) on standard white paper stock
- Mail your fingerprints and a copy of your confirmation email to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division
- Pay your fees
It takes 3 to 5 business days for an electronic check. The FBI can send it to you by:
- email through a secure link and personal identification number or
- First Class mail via the U.S. Postal Service
Request an Identity History Summary online
Submit a request by mail
- Complete the Applicant Information Form from the FBI website
- Get your fingerprints taken on an official fingerprint form (FD-258) on standard white paper stock
- Mail your application form, fingerprints card and payment to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division
You can pay the processing fee by credit card, certified cheque or money order, payable to the U.S. Treasury.
The FBI will send you a letter with the results of your record check. That letter will be your police certificate. Send that letter and any attached documents to the immigration office processing your file.
The FBI may take longer than 60 days to process a mail-in request for a police certificate.
Special notes and considerations
All police certificates must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted.
Contact information
FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Attention: Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306
U.S.A.
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