My FBI Background Check Experience

[jayjane]

*Updated. I went a little crazy venting. Here´s a shorter version.

I know we all rag on the Argentine bureaucracy for being inept and inefficient so, for a change I would like to share my experience with the U.S. government.

Upon finally finding a certified location to do ink fingerprint cards, I learned that my fingerprints do not come out well. I had to find an electronic FBI fingerprint location in my state. The first time I ordered my FBI background check I received the document back without their seal and had to re-order. I just received the second order back. The document is in bad condition and it is ripped (the envelope the letter came in is fine.) They told me I needed to send them back the ripped copy with a cover letter of explanation before they can issue another one. Plan for this process to take longer than you expected.

 

[Nicole_Ramirez]

I am soooo glad I'm not the only 1. I've done 2 already. The first one got lost in the mail when I sent it to be apostilled ( I don't remember seeing a seal on it though, so it was probably wrong too) & the 2nd one came back without a seal too. WHat else can you do besides write in really large bold letters & underline it that it needs to be prepared to be apostilled. The U.S. government is just as moronic as the others. I'm dreading sending away for the 3rd one. The immigration office here in Bariloche told my husband they only need 1 more paper from the American Embassy & we are done, but I don't believe them because I know they don't have the FBI report.

 

[Che Boludo]

Hey. My FBI background check took forever too. Don´t worry the Argentine equivalent, Antecedentes penales, is one of the quickest tramites. One thing in the whole process that Argentina was WAY more efficient than USA. Some say that the US delay is due to budget cuts, but it still shouldn´t take so long.

 

[ellbee]

is there an expiration for the FBI background check? i hear it only last for 3 months, is this correct?

 

[steveinbsas]

is there an expiration for the FBI background check? i hear it only last for 3 months, is this correct?

I believe the report is only "valid" for 60 days.

 

[jayjane]

I believe the report is only "valid" for 60 days.

According to my understanding from the fam´s lawyer the 60 days is the period that applies if you are applying for residency through one of the consulates before you come. I think you have a bit longer if you will be applying in Argentina. Or, perhaps the time-line is not as firm if you are applying there.

Nice to know others have had this experience too!

 

[kalley]

I'm sorry that some of you had negative experiences with the FBI background check. I know I was completely dreading the process, especially as I'd read that it typically takes 13 weeks to return the results.

Perhaps I was lucky, but my experience in applying for the background check went very smoothly. I sent two sets of fingerprints (just in case) obtained at the local police station, and they were accepted without a problem. I received the report from the FBI in just about five weeks, and it was prepared, as requested, to be apostilled. I sent it off for the apostille, and the document was returned to me in about two weeks.

So, in short, sometimes things do work like they're supposed to!

 

[ghost]

I'm sorry that some of you had negative experiences with the FBI background check. I know I was completely dreading the process, especially as I'd read that it typically takes 13 weeks to return the results.

Perhaps I was lucky, but my experience in applying for the background check went very smoothly. I sent two sets of fingerprints (just in case) obtained at the local police station, and they were accepted without a problem. I received the report from the FBI in just about five weeks, and it was prepared, as requested, to be apostilled. I sent it off for the apostille, and the document was returned to me in about two weeks.

So, in short, sometimes things do work like they're supposed to!

Yes. Sometimes it's the machine and sometimes it's the operator. [lots of pilot error around here, too]

 

[Hache]

Could you Americans explain me why you need the FBI's go-ahead when leaving the US? Is it one of those post 9-11 security measures?