If you’re applying for a job, adoption, immigration, international travel, legal matters, or a federal-level clearance, you may be asked to obtain an FBI Criminal Background Check—also known as an FBI Identity History Summary (IHS). This report is the official summary of your criminal history based on your fingerprints and is required by thousands of agencies and organizations nationwide and abroad.

While the FBI itself charges a simple, flat $18 fee, the total cost of getting an FBI background check depends on how and where you submit your fingerprints. With Certifix, obtaining your background check is fast, secure, and convenient—whether you need it for employment, licensing, immigration, or international use.

What Is an FBI Criminal Background Check?

An FBI Criminal Background Check is an official report that summarizes your criminal history as recorded by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The report—called an Identity History Summary (IHS)—contains any criminal history tied to your fingerprints, including:

• Arrests
• Charges
• Dispositions (outcomes of cases)
• Federal employment or military service entries, if applicable

It is widely required for:

• Employment (federal, state, and private-sector roles)
• Licensing and certification
• Adoption (domestic and international)
• Visa & immigration applications
• Court-related matters
• Travel or residency abroad
• Personal review of records

Because this report is fingerprint-based, it is considered one of the most accurate and trusted forms of background screening available.

How Much Does an FBI Background Check Cost Through Certifix?

Certifix offers simple, transparent pricing for the FBI Criminal Background Check, with no hidden fees and fast electronic delivery options.

FBI Background Check Fees

• Service Fee: $47.00
• Government Fee (FBI): $18.00

Total Cost: $65.00

This covers the full process, including fingerprint capture, electronic submission through an FBI-approved channeler, and secure online access to your results.

Report Delivery Options

After your background check is processed, you can choose how you want to receive your official FBI report:

• Online Download – $0
  Access your report instantly online as soon as it’s ready.
• First-Class Mail – $5
  USPS delivery in approximately 3–5 business days.
• Priority Mail – $25
  Faster USPS delivery in approximately 1–3 business days.
• Priority Mail Express – $45
  Fastest delivery option, typically 1–2 business days.

Online delivery is included at no extra charge, and physical copies are available if your employer, agency, or destination country requires an original printed report.

What Information Appears on an FBI Criminal Background Check?

An FBI background check is crucial, especially for employers, to ensure they hire trustworthy and qualified applicants. For certain professions, such as those that require a security clearance, a clean criminal record is mandatory. Background checks are also necessary in the adoption process to ensure that children are placed in safe and stable homes.

The FBI Identity History Summary may include:

• Arrest records reported by law enforcement
• Charges filed
• Court dispositions and sentencing information
• Federal employment background data (if fingerprint-based)
• Military service records (if fingerprint-based)

It is not a full background report that lists everything about you. It does not include:

• Credit history
• Education history
• Employment history
• Traffic offenses that did not involve fingerprints
• Civil court records
• Personal addresses
• Driving records

Only information tied to your fingerprint submissions appears in the FBI report.

Who Needs an FBI Background Check? Submitting an Identification Record Request to the FBI

You may need an FBI criminal background check for:

• Employment (banking, education, healthcare, security, aviation, federal agencies, etc.)
• Professional licensing (nurses, caregivers, teachers, contractors, etc.)
• Immigration or visas (U.S. or foreign)
• Adoption (domestic or international)
• Court or legal requirements
• Travel abroad
• Personal record review

Many applicants also request this report to correct errors or verify that their records are clear.

How to Get an FBI Background Check Through Certifix

Certifix makes the process fast and simple with electronic fingerprint submission through an FBI-approved channeler. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Enroll Online

Start by completing a short online form with your basic information.

Start Your FBI Background Check →
https://services.certifixlivescan.com/services/fbi

After enrolling, you will receive instructions and a confirmation email with the details you’ll need for your appointment.

Step 2: Visit a Certifix Fingerprinting Location

Go to any participating Certifix location to get fingerprinted via Live Scan.
Live Scan is an inkless, electronic method that captures your prints and submits them instantly.

This method is:

• Fast

• More accurate

• More secure

• Less prone to rejection

Certifix has a nationwide network of fingerprinting centers for your convenience.

Step 3: Your Prints Are Electronically Submitted

Certifix electronically transmits your fingerprints to the FBI through an FBI-approved channeling partner.

Electronic submission ensures:

• Faster processing

• Fewer errors

• Higher accuracy

• Secure transmission

Step 4: Receive Results in 24–72 Hours

Most applicants receive their FBI background check results electronically within 1–3 business days.

Results are delivered securely via email, where you can view, download, or print your official report.

How Long Does an FBI Background Check Take?

Processing time depends on submission method:

Electronic Submission via Live Scan

24–72 hours (fastest and most reliable)

Ink Card Submission by Mail (Manual)

3–6 weeks, depending on mail delays and FBI workload

Using Certifix eliminates the delays associated with printing, mailing, and manual processing.

Where Can I Get Fingerprinted for an FBI Background Check?

You can get fingerprinted at any participating Certifix location nationwide.
Certifix provides:

• Live Scan electronic fingerprinting

• FD-258 ink fingerprint cards (if needed)

• Fast, secure electronic submission

• Customer support throughout the process

The enrollment link will show you available locations and options.

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