Not all U.S. Criminal Record Checks are the same. The United States issues criminal background clearances at multiple levels of government, each with a different scope, issuing authority, and intended purpose. Choosing the wrong type or missing a required combination get applications delayed or rejected by foreign authorities.

The FBI Identity History Summary is the most widely recognized and internationally accepted form of U.S. Criminal Record Check. Issued directly by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, it draws on the Next Generation Identification (NGI) system which is the national fingerprint database that compiles criminal history information reported to the FBI by law enforcement agencies across the United States. 

Key characteristics:

• Covers criminal history data from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and federal jurisdictions to the extent that agencies have reported to the FBI.
• Based entirely on fingerprint identification, making it the most accurate and identity-verified form of clearance available.
• Accepted by foreign governments, embassies, consulates, international employers, and immigration authorities worldwide.
• Available through three methods- via an FBI-approved channeler, through the FBI's eDO online portal, or by direct mail.
• Processing time usually 1-3 business days via channeler and approximately 4-8 weeks via direct mail.

Each U.S. state maintains its own criminal history repository independently of the federal system. A State Bureau of Investigation clearance is also called a State Criminal History Record. This record covers only that specific state's records. Depending on the state, the issuing agency may be called the State Police or State Bureau of Investigation.

Key characteristics:

• Covers only arrests, charges, and convictions that occurred within or were reported to that specific state.
• May include records not forwarded to the FBI, making it more comprehensive than the federal clearance for in-state activity.
• Required separately when a foreign authority or employer specifically requests a state-level check in addition to the federal clearance.
• Application processes, fees, and processing times vary by state.

A state clearance matters most when an applicant has lived in a particular state for an extended period and the requesting authority wants confirmation that all in-state activity is captured and not just what was reported to the FBI.

A local Criminal Record Check is issued at the county or municipal level by a Sheriff's Office, Police Department, or equivalent local law enforcement agency. It covers only the records held by that specific jurisdiction and nothing more than that.

A local clearance will not be accepted in place of the FBI Identity History Summary or a state clearance. If a foreign authority needs a local clearance, they will specify it explicitly.

Key characteristics:

• Covers only arrests and incidents recorded by that specific county or city agency.
• Does not pull records from neighboring jurisdictions, state repositories, or federal databases.
• Rarely required for international purposes and is not a substitute for a state or federal clearance.
• Most commonly requested in highly specific situations like local licensing, certain court proceedings, or localized employment checks.

DHS maintains immigration-related records through agencies like CBP, ICE, and USCIS. These records cover visa history, entry/exit data, violations, and removal proceedings, and they are separate from the FBI’s criminal database. This means they do not appear on an FBI Identity History Summary.

In some immigration or legal contexts, these records may be reviewed alongside Criminal Record Checks, especially where prior U.S. immigration history is relevant. Individuals can access their DHS records by submitting a FOIA request to the appropriate agency.