Getting an FBI Background Check While Living in Colombia

Imagine you’re enjoying the vivid pace of Medellín life, yet some American paperwork is holding you back. When moving to Colombia from the U.S., the missing piece for your Colombian visa or residency application is often an FBI background check. So, how to order it from thousands of miles away, fully apostilled and translated for the Colombian government? This post shows you the exact steps to get it done from where you are right now without flying home.

FBI Background Check Purposes in Colombia

Whether you’re adapting or already living in Colombia as an American expat for years, an FBI report will likely cross your path at some point. Colombian authorities rely on this document to verify if you have a criminal history in the U.S. that affects your admissibility into the country. The request tends to fall into:

Visa and Residency Applications

The most common reason for seeking an FBI background check is to satisfy the Colombia visa requirements for U.S. citizens. This step may be required for officials to cross-check your conduct before approving long-term status. Hence, be prepared to show a criminal record with certification when applying for a Colombian digital nomad, retirement, marriage, or resident visa to avoid hitting a dead end.

Employment and Administrative Procedures

If the purpose of your relocation is work, employers, licensing boards, regulatory bodies, and many administrative procedures may request the same report as a condition of employment or compliance with local regulations.

Having no criminal history is especially important when you’ll be handling finances, working with minors, or assuming a senior managerial position in an MNC. Authorities often request an apostille to confirm the background check’s authenticity at the time of submission, so secure one at your earliest convenience.

Application Options Available from Colombia

Now that you know what a Colombia visa file requires, the next question is how to obtain it when you’re outside the country. Luckily, the FBI offers several methods to request your Identity History Summary with different timelines and quirks, and understanding your options helps you save on shipping costs and delays.

FBI eDO Portal

The electronic Department Order (eDO) portal is the most straightforward route to apply for an FBI rap sheet. You will create an account, complete the online application form, and pay the required fee using a credit card. The most crucial part is that you need to mail in your fingerprint card to the FBI’s CJIS Division. This hybrid process is faster but still relies on postage for the biometrics.

Paper Request by International Mail

Prefer the traditional approach? You can download the application form and fill it out manually. Then, mail the completed form, a money order or certified check, and your fingerprint card to West Virginia for processing. Paper requests often take longer to process, and remember to factor in international mailing time both ways.

Overseas Channeler Restrictions

FBI-approved channelers are third-party companies allowed to submit requests on your behalf. However, they come with a catch: services are reserved for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. You will typically complete a request form with them and mail an old-fashioned fingerprint card to their office, as Live Scan isn’t available abroad. The channeler will scan and transmit your prints to the FBI for processing.

Fingerprinting and FBI Submission

After selecting a submission route that best fits your circumstances, the real-world test comes with getting your impressions captured correctly. Whether you’re pursuing a Colombian remote work or resident visa category, the quality of your prints determines how your application turns out. Here’s how to handle it.

FD-1164 Fingerprint Card Preparation

First, download and print out the standard FD-1164 from the FBI official website. Ensure it’s printed on white paper or cardstock with your required personal details, including name, DOB, and contact information, filled out beforehand. Set the page full scale so the fingerprint box dimensions align with FBI standards. 

Fingerprinting Services in Colombia

Professional fingerprinting services are present in most major cities in Colombia, such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. Look for police stations, notary offices, and private security firms that are familiar with fingerprinting for FBI background check purposes. It’s best to have your prints taken professionally, and a quick call ahead to confirm availability with extra blank cards in hand will guarantee success.

Application Package and Courier Delivery

Once your fingers are inked and rolled, assemble your application package. If you’ve started an online application and paid the fee, enclose the confirmation page and fingerprint card. For a paper application, include everything: the card, proper payment, and any required forms. Your safest bet is to use a trackable international courier service to deliver your prints to the processing center, as standard postal mail can be time-consuming and harder to trace from Colombia.

FBI Result Receipt and Review

As soon as the FBI processes your request, you’ll receive the results in one of two formats. Knowing what to expect, whether checking your inbox or standing by the door for the mailman, and how to review the final report for errors and Colombian acceptance will spare you a lot of hassle later.

Electronic and Printed Results

If you applied through the eDO portal, the report will arrive via email as a PDF file for review and download. This digital copy features a verifiable electronic signature and a unique control number. Paper requests, in contrast, will return a physical printed document mailed directly to your Colombian address.

Personal Data Verification

Don’t celebrate just yet — you should take a thorough look at your FBI rap sheet the moment you open the package. Is there a misspelling in your name? Does the DOB match your birth certificate and passport? A small typo can trigger additional scrutiny by the Colombian immigration officials, prompting you to start over.

Record Correction Requests

If you find an inaccuracy or discrepancy in your background check, such as a criminal record that doesn’t belong to you, you’ll need to file for a separate correction process through the CJIS Division. Note that this may take approximately 45 days to process, so it’s a good idea to address issues early to prevent your Colombian visa timeline from being disrupted during the correction. 

Apostilling an FBI Background Check for Colombia

Foreign authorities don’t accept U.S. documents as-is, and your FBI report needs authentication to become legally valid outside American borders. Since Colombia is a member of the Hague Convention, an apostille is all that’s required for recognition.

Apostille Necessity for Colombian Authorities

An apostille validates the signature and seal on your FBI background check for use in another Hague Convention country. Without it, foreign agencies will refuse your paperwork because they’re unable to verify legitimacy and whether the issuing government office is authorized to do so, regardless of the content.

U.S. Department of State Jurisdiction

Because the FBI Identity History Summary originates from a federal office, it falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of State, not an individual state authority. Don’t send a request to your local Secretary of State’s office — it will just cost you time and shipping fees. You’ll need to print out the digital report or use the original paper copy from the FBI for the federal apostille process. 

Authentication Package and Return Delivery

To obtain a federal apostille, submit a package including the FBI document, a completed DS-4194 form, payment, and a prepaid self-addressed return envelope to the State Department in Washington, D.C., either by mail or in person. Once processed, the apostille will be attached directly to the FBI report and shipped to your address in the States or Colombia.

Translation, Timing, and Final Submission

You have successfully secured an apostille for your FBI background check — excellent! However, before bringing it to a Colombian official, there’s one final linguistic hurdle to overcome.

Official Spanish Translation

Most immigration and other formal procedures in Colombia require that foreign documents be translated into Spanish before they can be accepted into the system. The translation must be carried out by an official translator in Colombia.

Processing Times and Expenses

From fingerprinting and FBI report processing to apostille authentication, the entire journey can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to months, depending on the submission methods and delivery services you select. The standard cost for an FBI rap sheet is $18, plus $20 per apostille for federal authentication.

Suppose you choose the longest route. A paper FBI request can take longer than an electronic request, and a standard mail-in apostille request adds up to about 5 weeks to the timeline, plus international mailing time.

Document Assembly for Colombian Use

Finally, assemble your submission to the requesting Colombian authority. You should keep one simple rule: submit the FBI background report together with its apostille and certified Spanish translation. Ensure all pages are clean, unaltered, and in order before delivering them to the end recipient.

Get Your FBI Report Ready for Colombia

Securing an FBI background check for your visa or residency application in Colombia is undeniably a multi-step, complicated process, but it isn’t unachievable. If you find yourself running into a dead end, EZ Apostille has the solution for you. We’ve helped countless Americans moving abroad by supporting them in obtaining a flawless federal apostille along with Spanish translation, so reach out today and get your FBI report ready for Colombia!

FAQ

Here are the top answers about getting an FBI background check for the Colombian government.

Can a non-U.S. citizen request an FBI background check?

Of course! The FBI report is available to anyone, regardless of citizenship, provided that they submit valid fingerprints and identifying information.

Does the report contain criminal records from outside the United States?

No, an FBI summary only contains criminal records within the U.S., including the 50 states and territories.

Is a U.S. residential address required to submit the request?

No, you can use your current Colombian address to request one if you’re abroad. Results will be delivered by mail or electronically, depending on how you submit.

Can one report be presented in several Colombian procedures?

Yes, as long as the report is considered current for the next Colombian authority. The typical validity timeframe for FBI checks is within 3 months after issuance. 

Can parents request an FBI background check for a minor?

Generally, minors under the age of 18 are exempt from submitting an FBI background check for Colombian applications.

Does the FBI issue a report when no criminal history is found?

Yes, the FBI will issue a report stating “No Record.” This statement confirms that the individual named has no criminal history in the U.S., which is valid and provides the precise information Colombian authorities require.