Fingerprints Submitted by Mail

Follow these simple steps to get your FBI Background Rap Sheet:

Click the Fingerprint Forms Packet button below to download all the information and forms you will need. Please carefully review the complete instructions included in the forms packet.

NOTE: Per FBI requirements, applications submitted from outside the U.S. cannot be accepted or processed. Results can only be picked up within the United States or its territories. Please contact the FBI if you need to apply internationally.

Step 1: Complete the applicant information form

Please read instructions in the forms packet carefully and be sure to include all the required information. Please use black ink to fill out the forms.

IMPORTANT: Please do not alter your Applicant Information Form. This may cause a delay in processing. If you have special instructions for Accurate Biometrics, you may mention those instructions in a cover letter.

Step 2: Obtain two sets of your fingerprints

You will need to submit two original copies of the standard FBI FD-1164 fingerprint form from the Departmental Order forms packet. It is acceptable to print the FD-1164 form on standard white printer/copy paper.

Individuals may NOT fingerprint themselves; fingerprints must be taken by a law enforcement agent or other authorized contractor.

We will accept electronically produced ink cards from any authorized fingerprint provider such as a local law enforcement agency or licensed fingerprint contractor. However, photocopied prints of the completed FBI fingerprint form are not acceptable.

Step 3: Choose shipping option

NOTE: Per FBI requirements, Departmental Order result letters cannot be mailed to a Post Office (PO) box address.

Additional copies of your FBI Rap Sheet – $10

On the Applicant Information Form, you can order additional copies of your rap sheet. The copies are printed in color on white secure paper featuring a watermark of the FBI seal in the background and the signature of the FBI Section Chief.

Step 4: Submit payment

For payment by credit card, a credit card payment form is included in the forms packet.

Currently accepted forms of payment

• All Major Credit Cards and Debit Cards
• Money Order
• Cashier’s Check
• Company/Agency Check
• Pre-approved Billing Terms

Step 5: Mail the required items including payment to this address:

Accurate Biometrics – Departmental Order
500 Park Blvd, Suite 1260
Itasca, IL 60143

Review Required Items

Review the checklist here. Your mailing must include:

• Signed applicant information form
• Two original fingerprint cards
• Appropriate payment in U.S. dollars for each person or copy requested
• Please include checklist form

IMPORTANT: Include your email address so that we may contact you in case there are any questions that could delay processing of your prints.

What do I do if my prints are rejected?

There are a small percentage of individuals in which the fingerprint image quality is very low. An individual, by the nature of their work or age, may have very thin or worn ridges in the pattern area.

There is a slim possibility that the FBI receives your fingerprints, but is unable to process them. If this occurred, you would receive a reprint notification to the email address you provided asking that you send another set of fingerprints to complete the transaction.

You may submit new sets of fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency or authorized contractor for a $10 reprocessing fee.

If you wish to submit a second set of fingerprints for processing, send your additional fingerprint cards (on the standard FBI FD-1164 form) to Accurate Biometrics with a newly completed copy of the applicant information form, a copy of the rejection letter, and a money order or credit card form for $10.00.

Note: If a third submission is required, the full processing fee must be submitted with the required forms and fingerprints.

To learn more about taking legible fingerprints, refer to this document on recording legible fingerprints.

Important Notes

• Payment receipt available upon written request submitted with application.
• Fingerprints are submitted real-time with results delivered often within minutes of submission. Once fingerprints have been submitted NO REFUND REQUESTS CAN BE GRANTED.
• Accurate Biometrics, a certified FBI Channeler, is required to print the criminal history response exactly as it is electronically received from the CJIS Division of the FBI. This is in accordance with the FBI issued “Channeler Requirements for the Departmental Order Process,” dated June 10, 2011.
• This service is available for U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents only.
• We are one of few channelers that offer the option of a hard copy print response white secure watermark paper; sent via mail or expedited service. (See Step 3) As an added value – Accurate Biometrics provides tracking service on FBI Rap Sheet results sent via the United States Postal Service (USPS) or 2-Day Priority Service.
• Per FBI regulations, we cannot deliver to P.O. BOX, International, In Care Of, or 3rd Party destinations.
• The response may be sent to an applicant’s attorney. To make this request, a letter of release must be signed by both the applicant and attorney on the attorney’s letterhead and must accompany the applicant information form
• All applicants have 1-time only access to results at our secure web portal. We recommend the access be made from a desktop computer if a print copy is desired. Acrobat Reader is required to open and print the results pdf.

Important Note: to protect the privacy of our applicants, we cannot send any forms containing personal information to anyone, including anything back to the applicant, even via email. THE APPLICANT SHOULD KEEP A COPY OF THEIR FORMS FOR THEIR RECORDS.

What comes back in the FBI Report Rap Sheet?

The FBI Report Rap Sheet is returned containing the following:

• FBI letterhead format in full color
• FBI Seal in full color
• Signature of presiding FBI CJIS Section Chief, Biometric Service Section
• FBI Transaction Control Number (TCN)
• Date search was completed
• Applicant name exactly as stated on the request form
• Applicant address if included on the request form
• SSN if included on the request form
• All Identity History Summary (IdHS) record information reported to the FBI when the background check was processed

For more information on the U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73, click here. Contact information for the FBI via email is [email protected], and by phone: 304 625-5590

For additional assistance, please call our Customer Service team at (866) 361-9944 or email us at [email protected].

Thank you. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.