For individuals who intend to live in the Dominican Republic, a USA criminal record check is required for several legal and administrative reasons, including applications for residency, work, and immigration. In this blog, we will provide the necessary steps along with other requirements such as apostille and translation, dos and don'ts in applications, and tips for the applicant to make the process smoother.

About USA Criminal Record Check

A USA Criminal Record Search is an official background check that seeks to gauge the presence of criminal history within the boundaries of the United States. It includes information regarding arrests, convictions, and court records. It is usually required during visa applications, job opportunities that require security clearance, and other immigration-related processes.

The FBI Criminal Record Check requires submitting fingerprints to conduct a thorough search via the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database. The results, also known as the Identity History Summary, provide a detailed account of an individual's criminal history in the U.S.

Applying for a USA Criminal Record Check in the Dominican Republic

There are different ways to apply for an FBI background check from the Dominican Republic.

1. Applying by Mail

You can mail your application physically to the FBI. Here's how:

Obtain a Fingerprint Card: For fingerprints, visit your local police station or an authorized fingerprinting agent. Use an FD-258/FD-1164 fingerprint card, please note that the fingerprints must be clear and up to FBI standards.

Complete the Application Form: Enter all the required information correctly, including full name, date of birth, and address, in the USA criminal record check form.

Prepare the Payment: Use a credit card, money order, or certified check to pay charges of the FBI criminal background check. Don't use cash or personal checks.

Mail the Documents: After completing application and payment, mail to the address:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request

1000 Custer Hollow Road

Clarksburg, WV 26306

2. Applying Online Directly

You can also choose to apply directly through the Electronic Departmental Order (eDO) system of the FBI:

Create an Account: Visit www.edo.cjis.gov and create an account to proceed with application completion.

Complete the Online Form: Fill in all required personal details online correctly.

Submit Payment: Use your credit card, PayPal, or any other payment method to pay the fee for the FBI background check.

Submit Fingerprints: After your form has been completed online, you will receive instructions on mailing your fingerprint card to that same FBI address. Retain a copy of this confirmation email for tracking.

Get Results: Your results will be sent to you through the mode you selected while applying.

3. Using a Third-Party Agency

You can use the services of third-party service providers to apply for a USA criminal record check from the Dominican Republic. Globeia is one such trusted service provider with over a decade of experience in providing efficient background check services. To apply for an FBI criminal background check using Globeia’s online service, follow these steps.

Complete the Application: Add your details correctly by using Globeia’s platform.

Complete the Payment: Pay the charges for your FBI background check using a suitable payment method.

Upload a Copy of Fingerprint Card: Upload your fingerprint card to Globeia’s platform for a quality review.

Mail Your Fingerprint Card: Mail the original fingerprint card to the USA headquarters of Globeia after the review is completed.

Receive Results: If you are a US citizen, your results will be typically delivered in 24-48 hours.

Additional Services That Maybe Required

While applying for a USA criminal record check, you may also need to apply for additional services such as apostilling your background check report for use in the Dominican Republic. Since the Dominican Republic and the United States are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, there is no longer a requirement to get the documents authenticated and legalized for use. Apostilling the document will serve the purpose of verifying the legitimacy of use in the country of the Dominican Republic.

Globeia offers seamless FBI apostille services so that your USA criminal record check is smoothly apostilled. You can also opt to apostille your check while completing the application for the FBI background check.

Dos and Don’ts of Acquiring a USA Criminal Record Check in the Dominican Republic

Here are some dos and don’ts that you must consider while applying for the FBI background check.

Dos

Consider these tips when you apply.

Provide Accurate and Correct Information: You should cross-check all other personal information you have entered and rectify any mistakes made to avoid delays.

Add Right Quality Fingerprints: Ensure you get your fingerprints taken professionally using the right fingerprint card, smudged or poorly taken prints can cause delays.

Follow FBI Guidelines: Read all instructions thoroughly concerning documentation, payment, and submission requirements.

Check Processing Times: Check the processing timeline for the FBI police clearance when you are preparing to apply. Plan to apply early if you have to meet tight deadlines.

Select the Right Third-Party Agency: If you are planning to apply via a third-party platform, try to select the right platform for your requirement by going through the testimonials, and service policies, learning about the agency, and also going through the fee structure before you proceed to apply.

Don’ts

Avoid doing the following when you apply.

Submit Incorrect Documents: Make sure that all submitted documents such as ID cards and fingerprint cards are correct and eligible for submission.

Use Poor Quality Fingerprints: You should avoid submitting poorly taken fingerprints with your application. Inferior quality can cause issues.

Provide Incorrect Information: Avoid adding incorrect information. Make sure you check the information that you enter and correct any mistakes made before application submission.

Ignore Payment Instructions: Make sure your payment method is accepted and ensure that all needed billing details are provided to avoid any issues during processing.

Miss Important Deadlines: Kindly refrain from last-minute applications to prevent issues, especially if you need additional services like apostille or translation.

Conclusion

Obtaining a USA Criminal Record Check from the Dominican Republic is not difficult provided you are well aware of the procedure. Whether you choose to send the application by mail, online, or through an external platform, make sure your fingerprints and documents are in accordance with the FBI's requirements. Other services such as apostille or translation may also be needed depending on your needs. Apply now using Globeia’s seamless online service for the FBI Identity History Summary Check.

Written by :

We are a background screening and document verification agency in Toronto. While we cover the Greater Toronto Area for in-person appointments, the bulk of our clientele uses our online services from different countries of the world. Globeia makes it simple and cost-effective for companies and individuals to navigate governmental red tape without breaking the bank.

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