FBI Identity History Summary Checks: What It Is, How to Get It, and Why Notaries & Fingerprinting Matter

f you’re applying for immigration, adoption, travel visas, or certain jobs, you may be asked for an FBI Identity History Summary Check. Sometimes called an FBI Clearance or FBI Background Check, this report shows what the FBI has on file about you.

At Stone Notary, we help clients navigate the fingerprinting and notarization process that makes this step easier. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What Is an FBI Identity History Summary Check?

It’s a summary of your criminal history — or proof that you have none. The FBI compiles it using fingerprint submissions, which makes it more accurate than a name-based background check.

This document is often required for:

• Immigration applications

• International adoptions

• Work or study visas

• Certain state or federal jobs

• Residency or travel abroad

2. What the Report Shows

The FBI Summary Check may include:

• Arrest records

• Federal employment background information

• Naturalization details

• Court dispositions

• Or a statement that no criminal history exists

3. How to Request an FBI Check

There are three main ways to get your report:

1. Directly from the FBI: You can mail your request, fingerprint card, and payment.

2. Through an FBI-Approved Channeler: These private companies can process requests faster.

3. Through an Embassy or Consulate: If you’re overseas, you can submit via U.S. diplomatic offices.

4. The Role of Fingerprinting

Your fingerprints are the foundation of the FBI check. They must be submitted on an FD-258 fingerprint card (ink or Live Scan, depending on the method).

• Ink & Roll: Accepted everywhere and often required for apostilles and consular processes.

• Live Scan: Faster, but only accepted when submitted through approved channelers.

If your prints are unclear or smudged, your request may be delayed or rejected. That’s why having a professional capture them is key.

5. Why Notarization and Apostilles May Be Needed

If you’re using your FBI report abroad, you may need additional steps:

• Notarized affidavit if you’re attaching a statement or translation

• Apostille from the U.S. Department of State if your destination country is part of the Hague Convention

• Embassy legalization if your country is non-Hague

6. How Stone Notary Helps

• We provide mobile ink fingerprinting on FBI-approved FD-258 cards

• We ensure your prints are clear, legible, and compliant

• We guide you through the difference between apostille vs. embassy legalization

• We notarize affidavits or translations when needed

Closing Thought

Your FBI Identity History Summary Check may be just one step in your journey, but it’s a crucial one. Getting it right the first time saves you time, stress, and potential setbacks.

At Stone Notary, we bring clarity and convenience to the process with professional fingerprinting, notarization, and apostille support.

📞 Call/Text: 754-217-0444
📧 stone.notary@gmail.com
🌐 stone-notary.com

Apostille for U.S. Federal Documents: When You Need More Than Your State Seal

Most people know that an apostille is the certification needed to make a U.S. document valid abroad. But here’s the thing. Not all apostilles come from your Secretary of State.

If your paperwork was created by a federal agency, like the FBI, a U.S. District Court, or even the Patent Office, you can’t get it certified at the state level. Those documents require a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

At Stone Notary, we help clients sort this out every day. Here’s what you should know before you send your documents off.

1. State vs. Federal Apostille: What’s the Difference?

Think of it this way: the level of apostille you need depends on who issued the document.

• State Apostille covers documents issued or notarized within a state. That includes things like birth certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney, and affidavits.

• Federal Apostille covers documents issued by a U.S. federal agency. That’s things like FBI background checks, federal court judgments, and trademark filings.

If it’s state or county paperwork, your Secretary of State handles it. If it’s federal paperwork, it goes to Washington, D.C.

2. Common Documents That Require a Federal Apostille

Here are some examples that catch people by surprise:

• FBI Identity History Summary Checks (background checks)

• Federal court documents from U.S. District Courts or Courts of Appeals

• Naturalization certificates issued by USCIS

• Records from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

• Certifications issued by federal agencies like the FDA or USDA

• 3. Where People Get Stuck

  One of the most common mistakes is sending a federal document to the state for an apostille. The request usually gets rejected after a few weeks, wasting valuable time.

  Other problems include:

  • Using a photocopy instead of the original FBI background check

  • Forgetting a notarization where one is required

  • Not including the right processing fees or return envelope when mailing to the Department of State

    4. The Process for Federal Apostilles

    Here’s the simplified version of how it works:

    1. Order your federal document, like an FBI background check

    2. Make sure it’s signed, sealed, and ready for authentication

    3. Send it to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.

    4. Receive your apostille for Hague Convention countries

    5. If the country is not part of the Hague Convention, add the consulate or embassy legalization step after the federal apostille

    5. How Stone Notary Makes It Easier

    • We help you figure out whether your document needs a state or federal apostille

    • We notarize affidavits or certifications that may be part of your packet

    • We track your documents once they’re submitted so you aren’t left wondering where they are

    • We manage embassy and consulate steps for non-Hague countries so your documents won’t be rejected abroad

    Final Takeaway

    When it comes to apostilles, not all stamps are created equal. Understanding whether your document needs a state or federal apostille can save you weeks of waiting and protect your immigration, travel, or business plans.

    At Stone Notary, we take the guesswork out of the process. From Tallahassee to Washington, D.C., we make sure your documents are authenticated the right way the first time.

    📞 Call/Text: 754-217-0444
    📧 stone.notary@gmail.com
    🌐 stone-notary.com