What Is an FBI Background Check — And What Does a Notary Actually Do in the Process?

If you need an FBI background check for an international purpose — a citizenship application abroad, foreign employment, a visa, or professional licensing in another country — you may have already discovered that the process involves more steps than a standard background check. Understanding what an FBI background check is, how it works, and exactly what role a notary plays (and does not play) will help you move through the process with confidence.

What Is an FBI Background Check?

An FBI background check, formally called an Identity History Summary, is an official federal record showing a person's criminal history as it exists in the FBI's national database. It is distinct from the background checks that employers or landlords might run. Where those rely on third-party reporting, an FBI background check is fingerprint-based, issued directly through the federal government, and carries an authoritative weight that foreign governments and international institutions recognise.

That is precisely why it is required in so many cross-border contexts.

How the Process Works

The process begins with fingerprint collection. Your fingerprints are taken in the required format and submitted to the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division, which searches its database and produces your Identity History Summary.

For most domestic purposes, that document is the end result. For international use, however, there is an additional requirement that many people are not initially aware of: the FBI background check must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.

An apostille is a form of authentication that confirms a document's origin so that foreign governments will accept it as legitimate. Without that apostille, the background check will often be rejected by the receiving country's authorities.

Where a Notary Comes In — and Where They Don't

This is where a notary enters the picture, and where it is important to be precise.

A notary's role in the FBI background check process has two specific functions:

1. Fingerprint Collection

At Notary & Fast POA, we handle the fingerprinting using the correct format required for FBI submission, ensuring the prints are taken accurately the first time and submitted properly.

2. Apostille Processing

Once the FBI issues your Identity History Summary, we process the apostille through the appropriate channels to authenticate it for international use.

Keeping both steps under one roof means fewer handoffs, less coordination on your end, and a faster overall timeline.

What a Notary Does Not Do

What a notary does not do is equally important to understand. A notary is not an attorney. We do not interpret the results of your background check. We do not advise you on whether a particular item in your history will affect your immigration application, your visa, or your path to citizenship. We do not provide legal counsel on how to respond to anything that appears in the record.

If your background check reveals something you are concerned about in the context of an immigration matter, a citizenship application, or any legal proceeding, that conversation needs to happen with a licensed immigration attorney or the appropriate government agency.

We are direct about this because we believe honest service builds more trust than overpromising.

Common Reasons Clients Need an FBI Background Check

Serving the New York Metro Area

Notary & Fast POA serves clients across Manhattan, Queens, Great Neck, Syosset, and the surrounding New York metro area. We are available seven days a week, including evenings. Whether you visit our offices or need us to come to you, our mobile and remote online options mean that location and timing rarely have to be obstacles.

Call or text 888-884-1778 to schedule your FBI fingerprinting and apostille service.