An FBI background check, also known as an FBI criminal background check or FBI identification record, is a detailed report of an individual’s criminal history and other information compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). An FBI background check is frequently required for certain jobs, licenses, immigration benefits, firearm purchases, or adoptions. Here is an overview of what may show up on an FBI background check.
Criminal History
An FBI background check will reveal any prior arrests, charges, and convictions for federal, state, and local crimes. This includes felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses. The report provides details on the date and location of each arrest or conviction, the nature of the offense, and the outcome of the case. Some of the types of crimes that may appear on an FBI report include:
- Drug offenses
- Theft
- Fraud
- Assault
- DUI/DWIs
- Sex crimes
- Violent crimes
- White collar crimes
The report will also indicate if an individual is on probation or parole for a prior offense. In addition, federal charges and convictions from other states should appear on an FBI background check.
Warrants
Active arrest warrants will also show up on an FBI criminal background check. This includes any outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court or violating parole or probation. Warrants issued by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies should all be visible on an FBI report.
Sex Offender Registry
An FBI background check includes a search of the National Sex Offender Public Registry, which is maintained by the FBI. Any registration by the applicant as a sex offender will be disclosed on the report.
Terrorist Watch List
The FBI report will indicate if the individual is listed on any terrorist watch lists, including the No Fly List maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center. These lists contain names of known or suspected terrorists.
Immigration Records
Any interactions of the applicant with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or Customs and Border Protection will appear on an FBI background check. This includes visa applications, border crossings, deportations, and immigration court proceedings. For non-citizens, the report will include immigration status and any violations of immigration law.
Fingerprints
An FBI background check matches applicants against the FBI’s vast database of fingerprints. The fingerprints submitted for the background check are compared to those in criminal databases for any matching records that may not already be identified through a name search. Fingerprint records may reveal additional arrests not tied to a specific name.
DNA
DNA records may also appear for qualifying offenses. DNA profiles from crime scenes and convicted offenders are collected in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Any matching DNA records that exist for an applicant will turn up in an FBI background check.
Bankruptcy Filings
Personal or business bankruptcies that have been filed will also show up on an FBI criminal record report. Bankruptcy records include information on the type of bankruptcy, date of filing, debts owed, creditors, and discharge details.
Marriages and Divorces
Marital relationships, including marriages and divorces, may be listed in an FBI background check. Sources for this information include marriage and divorce records held by courts and bureaus of vital statistics.
Associates
The FBI report may provide information on business partners, relatives, roommates, and other close associates of the applicant. This relates to any criminal activities jointly committed by associates.
Professional Licenses
Details on professional licenses held by the applicant in areas like contracting, real estate, childcare, healthcare, law, and more may be included in an FBI background check. Any disciplinary actions against these professional licenses may also appear.
Driving Records
An FBI background check may reveal driving history information such as traffic citations and accidents. However, comprehensive data from state motor vehicle departments is not typically provided in an FBI report.
Civil Court Records
Civil court cases such as small claims disputes, personal injury cases, and other lawsuits may sometimes surface on an FBI background check. However, federal privacy laws limit the extent of civil case information that will be included.
Financial and Property Ownership Records
Details on assets like property and vehicles owned, along with names of businesses the applicant holds an interest in, may appear on the FBI report. Outstanding debts and tax liability may also be visible.
Police Investigations
FBI background checks may indicate if the individual has been the subject of or linked to any police investigations that did not lead to an arrest or charges. However, access to investigatory records is restricted in many cases.
Results Not Reported
While FBI background checks are quite comprehensive, there is some information that will not be included in the report. For example:
- Credit reports
- Medical history
- Mental health records
- Political affiliations
- Juvenile records (under age 18)
- Dismissed charges
- Arrests over 1 year old without disposition
Additionally, records are only searched by the name and date of birth provided. Misspellings or pseudonyms may cause certain records tied to other personal details of the applicant to be overlooked.
Conclusion
In summary, an FBI background check is an in-depth look at an individual’s criminal record, sex offender status, interactions with immigration and national security agencies, fingerprints, associates, professional licenses, marriages/divorces, finances, properties, and more. The extensive report is designed to surface any red flags in an applicant’s past that may make them unsuitable for certain opportunities involving employment, immigration, firearms, licensing, volunteering, adoption, or other purposes where background screening is required.