FBI Background Check for Colombian Visa

Lately the Colombian government has been requesting FBI criminal background checks form those applying for certain types of visas (such as the digital nomad visa, retirement visa, etc.)

Of course, if you are already in Colombia the last thing you want to do is go back to the states for some paperwork.

There are a couple of ways you can go about getting an FBI background check, also known as an Identity History Summary:

Online: This is the fastest option. You can submit your request electronically at edo.cjis.gov and then visit a participating U.S. Post Office to have your fingerprints taken electronically. You’ll get your results within 48 hours of your fingerprint appointment.
By Mail: This takes longer but can still be done. You’ll need to complete a fingerprint card (FD-1164), have it filled out by a qualified technician, and mail it in along with a completed application form and a fee of $18. Processing time can take up to 20 days after they receive your mailed fingerprint card, not including mailing time.

Getting a FBI Background Check from Medellin

If you want to do everything online, your first stop should be visiting the following website:
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks#Online

According to that web page:

The fastest option is to submit your request online, for both Identity History Summary Checks and Identity History Summary Challenges.

Online

1. Visit edo.cjis.gov.

2. Follow the steps under the “Obtaining Your Identity History Summary” section.

If you submit a request electronically directly to the FBI, you may visit a participating U.S. Post Office location to submit your fingerprints electronically as part of your request. You may go to any of the participating U.S. Post Office locations nationwide upon completion of your request. Additional fees may apply.

If you choose to use a U.S. Post Office location, you must complete your application and payment electronically prior to visiting a U.S. Post Office location to submit your fingerprints electronically as part of your request.
If you choose not to use a U.S. Post Office location, then you may still mail your completed fingerprint card, along with your confirmation email received when you started your electronic request, to the address listed on your confirmation email. The request will continue to be processed as an electronic submission once the completed fingerprint card is received. Additional fees will apply.

By Mail

1. Complete the Applicant Information Form

If the request is for a couple, family, etc., each person must complete and sign a form.
Include a complete mailing address.
Provide your phone number and e-mail address, if available.
Do not send a self-addressed envelope. This includes pre-paid Priority Mail, FedEx account numbers, United Parcel Service, etc., foreign postage coupons, and requests to forward correspondence to the Department of State for the apostille process.

2. Get Your Fingerprints

Your fingerprints should be placed on a standard fingerprint form (FD-1164). The FBI will accept FD-1164 fingerprint cards on standard white paper stock.
You must provide a current fingerprint card (not a previously processed one.)
Your name, date of birth, and signature must be on the fingerprint card.
You must include rolled impressions of all 10 fingerprints and impressions of all 10 fingerprints taken at the same time (sometimes referred to as plain or flat impressions).
If possible, have your fingerprints taken by a fingerprinting technician. This service may be available at your local police department. The FBI recommends that red or purple ink not be used for fingerprinting.
We accept fingerprints taken with ink or via live scan. If your fingerprints are taken via a live scan device, get a hard copy, so the fingerprint card can be mailed to the FBI.
If fingerprints are not legible, the fingerprint card will be rejected. This could cause delays in processing and could also result in additional fees.
The name on your response letter will match the name indicated on the fingerprint card when your application, payment, and fingerprint card are submitted via the mail.
If the last four digits of your Social Security number are needed on your response letter, then please ensure the full nine-digits or last four digits of your Social Security number are on the fingerprint card when submitting your request.
For more information, refer to the Recording Friction Ridges module.

3. Pay

The cost for an Identity History Summary Check (Rap Sheet) is $18 per person. You cannot pay extra for faster service.

You can pay by:

Credit Card using the Credit Card Payment Form. Don’t forget to include the expiration date of the credit card that you are using.
Money Order or Certified Check for $18 U.S. dollars made payable to the Treasury of the United States. Sign where required.
Do not pay via cash, personal checks, or business checks. This will delay processing of your request.
Payment must be for the exact amount.
If the request is for a couple, family, etc., include $18 for each person.
You will receive one, sealed response per request. You may make as many copies as you need.
If you need additional sealed responses mailed to the same address or different addresses, send additional requests with another payment of $18 for as many sealed copies as you need.
If you are unable to pay the $18 fee, you can request a waiver. The waiver must include a claim and proof of indigence, such as a notarized affidavit of indigence.

4. Review Everything

Review the Identity History Summary Request Checklist to ensure that you have included everything we need to process your request.

5. Mail Your Required Materials

Signed Applicant Information Form
Fingerprint Card
Payment of $18 U.S. dollars per person (use the Credit Card Payment Form if you are paying by credit card)

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

FBI background checks are for your own personal use and cannot be used for employment or licensing purposes.
You can also use an FBI-Approved Channeler, which is a private business authorized by the FBI to handle the process for you. This may be faster, but there will likely be an additional fee.