FBI Records & Channeling Services Provided By
Expedited Background Checks
Same day expedited FBI background checks can be done in our office.
Request a copy of your personal FBI report / background check from VetConnex. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to use this service.
Let’s get started, are you:
To use a Channeler, you must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident.
The U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73, also known as Departmental Order, establishes rules and regulations for you to obtain a copy of your Identity History Summary for review or proof that one does not exist.
- Only you may request a copy of your own Identity History Background Report (or proof that one does not exist).
- If the FBI report is to be sent to an attorney a release statement must be signed by both the applicant and attorney, on the attorney’s letterhead.
- The FBI background report/ record results cannot be sent outside of the United States.
- If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, you must send your request directly to the FBI.
Would you like to see a copy of your FBI report?
As an FBI contracted Channeler, we can expedite a copy of your FBI report to you in as little as 24 hours. A Channeler is a private business that has a contract with the FBI to collect fingerprints and relevant data on individuals, collect state fees and electronically submit the file to the FBI. (Please note, it can take weeks or months to submit a request to the FBI for your record without a channeler).
What is an FBI Channeler?
As an FBI contracted Channeler, we can expedite a copy of your FBI report to you in as little as 24 hours. A Channeler is a private business that has a contract with the FBI to collect fingerprints and relevant data on individuals, collect state fees and electronically submit the file to the FBI.
When you submit a request directly to the FBI without using a channeler, processing times can range from 12 to 16 weeks. FBI Channelers streamline this process by electronically submitting your fingerprints and information to the FBI on your behalf, significantly reducing wait times. Many individuals receive their Identity History Summary Report within 24 hours through our channeling service.
Mobile Electronic Fingerprinting is proud to be one of only 13 companies in the United States awarded an FBI channeling contract, allowing us to provide this expedited service to clients nationwide.
What Information Appears on Your FBI Identity History Summary
Your FBI Identity History Summary Report is a listing of information from fingerprint submissions maintained by the FBI. If fingerprint submissions are related to an arrest, the report includes:
- The name of the agency that submitted the fingerprints to the FBI
- The date of the arrest
- The arrest charge
- The disposition of the arrest (if known to the FBI)
All arrest information included in an Identity History Summary is obtained from fingerprint submissions, disposition reports, and other information submitted by authorized criminal justice agencies across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
If you have never been arrested or your fingerprints have never been submitted to the FBI in connection with an arrest, your report will serve as proof that no federal criminal history record exists under your identity. This is particularly important if you need to verify your background for employment, licensing, or international purposes.
Some reasons why individuals request a copy of their own FBI report:
- To challenge information on your record or make sure it is up to date
- For certain requirements such as adopting a child
- To meet a requirement to live, work, teach, or travel in a foreign country
- To see what shows up on your own FBI check
- Other court related matters
How the FBI Channeling Process Works
Obtaining your FBI Identity History Summary through our channeling service is straightforward:
- Schedule your appointment – Contact us at (952) 595-5800 to book a fingerprinting appointment at our Bloomington or Eagan office. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours: Monday 9–5:30, Tuesday–Thursday 9–4, Friday 9–2, closed weekends.
- Visit our office – Bring a valid form of government-issued photo identification. Our certified technicians will capture your fingerprints electronically using our live scan equipment. Most appointments take about 10 minutes.
- Electronic submission – We electronically submit your fingerprints and personal information directly to the FBI through our secure channeling connection.
- Receive your results – Your FBI Identity History Summary Report is typically available within 24 hours. You can receive your report electronically via secure download, by mail, or both, depending on your needs.
Our fingerprinting experts ensure high-quality prints and confirm all forms are properly completed prior to submission, reducing the risk of rejections or delays.
Timeline and Turnaround
One of the primary advantages of using an FBI Channeler is the dramatically reduced processing time:
- Direct FBI submission (without channeler): 12–16 weeks
- FBI Channeling service (through Mobile Electronic Fingerprinting): Results typically available within 24 hours
This expedited timeline is especially valuable when you’re facing deadlines for visa applications, international travel, employment requirements, or adoption processes.
FBI Channeler vs Live Scan Fingerprinting
While both FBI Channeling and Live Scan involve electronic fingerprinting technology, they serve different purposes and should not be confused.
Live Scan refers to the digital fingerprinting process used primarily for state-level background checks. For example, nurses applying for licensure in Minnesota, individuals seeking employment clearance in a specific state, or those requesting a state-level record review would use Live Scan fingerprinting services. The fingerprints are submitted to state agencies like the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) or similar state repositories.
FBI Channeling is a service that allows you to obtain your federal-level criminal background report (FBI Identity History Summary Check) in an expedited manner. When you use our FBI Channeling service, we capture your fingerprints electronically and submit them directly to the FBI through our authorized channeling agreement. This provides you with a national-level background report rather than a state-specific one.
Mobile Electronic Fingerprinting offers both Live Scan services for state-level requirements and FBI Channeling services for federal reports. Our team can help you understand which service you need based on your specific situation.
For International Use: Apostilles and Authentication
If you plan to live, work, study, or teach abroad, many foreign countries require an FBI background check as part of their visa or work permit process. In most cases, these countries will also require your FBI report to be authenticated with an apostille.
An apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. The apostille certifies the document as legitimate for international use.
The Process for International Documents
- Obtain your FBI report through our channeling service
- Request mailed report on tamper-proof paper (required for apostille) – When ordering your FBI report, specify that you need it mailed on tamper-proof paper, as this is necessary for the authentication process
- Submit for apostille – Once you receive your FBI report, you can submit it to the U.S. Department of State for federal document authentication
While we do not provide apostille services directly, we expedite the FBI background report itself, which is the essential first step. Our team can guide you on requesting the proper format for international use.
FBI background reports can only be mailed to U.S. addresses (no PO Boxes or international addresses). Plan accordingly if you’re already overseas.
Who Should Use FBI Channeling Services
FBI Channeling is ideal for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who need quick access to their federal background check for:
- International travel, work, or study – Teaching English abroad, student visas, work permits, extended travel
- Adoption – Domestic or international adoption requirements
- Immigration matters – For use by immigration attorneys or for family-based petitions
- Personal review – To verify the accuracy of your FBI record or to identify potential identity theft
- Legal matters – Court-related requirements or attorney requests (with proper authorization)
- Pre-employment verification – Reviewing your background before an employer requests it
Non-U.S. Citizens
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must submit your Identity History Summary request directly to the FBI rather than through a channeler. We can still assist you with ink fingerprinting on FD-258 cards that you can mail to the FBI, though processing will follow the FBI’s standard timeline of 12–16 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my FBI report through a channeler? Most FBI Identity History Summary Reports requested through our channeling service are available within 24 hours of your fingerprinting appointment.
Can I use this report for employment or licensing? FBI reports obtained through channeling for personal review (Departmental Order requests) are for your own use and review. They cannot be submitted directly to employers or licensing agencies on your behalf. If an employer or agency requires an FBI background check, they will typically have their own authorized process for requesting it.
What if I’ve never been arrested? If you have no criminal history on file with the FBI, your report will indicate that no record exists. This is often exactly what you need to demonstrate a clean background for international purposes or personal verification.
How much does FBI Channeling cost? Contact our office at (952) 595-5800 for current pricing information. Costs vary depending on whether you need electronic delivery, standard mail, or expedited shipping on tamper-proof paper.
Do I need an appointment? While walk-ins are welcome during business hours, we recommend calling (952) 595-5800 to schedule an appointment to minimize wait times. Our office hours are Monday 9–5:30, Tuesday–Thursday 9–4, Friday 9–2, and we’re closed weekends.
Can someone else pick up my FBI report? No. Only you may request and receive a copy of your own FBI Identity History Summary Report. If the report is being sent to an attorney, both you and the attorney must sign a release statement on the attorney’s letterhead.
What’s the difference between this and a regular background check? The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal-level report based on fingerprint submissions from agencies nationwide. It differs from standard background checks that may only search databases or cover specific states. The FBI report is based on actual arrest records tied to your fingerprints.
Applicants Privacy Rights
If you think your data has been compromised you have the right to notify the FBI directly.
