There are 4 steps to getting your FBI Background Check, also known as the FBI Identity History Summary, also known as the RAP Sheet. We're going to explain how to do this, including if you are not physically in the US.

1. Initiate online application
2. Send the FBI your fingerprints
3. Get your background check apostilled

If you're doing this while physically in the USA, you could have your apostilled papers in-hand in 2 weeks. If you're doing this while in Paraguay, it will be 5-7 weeks before you have them. 

Step 1: Initiate Online Application

Visit this link to initiate your application: https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/do-info. When it prompts for your name, use the exact same name as on your passport. That means that you must include any middle name(s) listed on your passport. 

If you're a digital nomad and haven't really lived in the States for a while, put down the most realistic address you have; one that the FBI would match with your identity easily. Don't worry, they aren't going to mail anything to it. If you're in Paraguay, make sure to write down this address to save for later.

This application will take about 5 minutes, and you will receive a confirmation email. You may have issues using the Safari or Google Chrome web browsers, so we recommend Firefox.

Step 2: Send the FBI your Fingerprints

This process depends on whether you are physically present in the USA.

Rough Overview

If you're in the USA:

1. Register with the USPS
2. Go to a post office and submit fingerprints

If you're in Paraguay:

1. Print out FBI fingerprint card and your confirmation email
2. Go to Interpol and get fingerprints on the FBI card
3. Mail fingerprints and confirmation email to the FBI using DHL Express

Sending the FBI your fingerprints if you're inside of the USA

If you're inside of the USA, you'll be able to send your fingerprints to the FBI immediately by submitting them at a USPS post office.

1. Before you go to the post office, make sure to complete the short USPS registration form from your FBI confirmation email. You'll see the USPS registration link in your confirmation email, but you can also access it here. If the form has issues submitting, use the Firefox browser.
   
   Here is a list of all post offices that offer fingerprinting. You do not need to schedule an appointment in advance.
2. After you've registered, arrive at the post office with a government ID, such as your driver's license or passport. They will scan the barcode from your confirmation email, fingerprint you, charge you about $60, and send the fingerprints digitally to the FBI.

3. Within 2 hours, you will receive an email notification from the FBI, giving you a digital download of your background check.

   The next step is to get your background check apostilled.

Sending the FBI your fingerprints if you're in Paraguay

This will take a half-day. Best done either first thing in the morning, or after 2pm, because the Interpol office gets crowded around 10:30am. Ignore misinformation which claims that you can do this at the US embassy.

1. Print out a copy of your FBI confirmation email (the one that has the barcode) and the official FBI  fingerprint sheet. This can be done at an imprenta, or print shop. Here is one in Villa Morra. 
2. Withdraw at least 150,000 in Guaraníes (cash)
3. With these two documents, cash, your passport in-hand, go to the Interpol office 
4. At the help desk, show them your FBI fingerprint sheet, and explain that you want fingerprints on it. Some of the officers speak english.
5. The help desk will direct you to a line to take the fingerprints. Many people there are getting fingerprints for a different purpose, on a different paper so make sure the fingerprints get done on the FBI sheet. 
6. Pay them 100,000 Guaraníes, cash, for the fingerprints
7. Fill out your personal data on the FBI fingerprint form. Use the same address you marked down in when doing the online application.
8. Go to DHL Express, in Shopping Mariscal. Pay about $70 for them to mail your fingerprints along with the FBI confirmation email to the FBI. It will take two weeks to reach the FBI, and then another week for them to process it. Below is the address it should be sent to.
   
   FBI CJIS Division
   ATTN: ELECTRONIC SUMMARY REQUEST
   1000 Custer Hollow Road
   Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306
   
   
9. You'll receive an email notification when the digital download of your background check is ready, and then it's time to get it apostilled.

Step 3: Apostille your FBI Background Check

While you could theoretically do this by traveling to Washington DC with your background check, and then picking it up a few weeks later, we recommend spending $220-$300 on a DC-based agency. It will be apostilled in about 10 days, if you choose an expedited option.

1. Download the PDF file of your completed background check. You'll receive a link to this in your email, when it's ready.
2. Upload the PDF to the apostille agency, and indicate that your desired country is Paraguay.
3. Tell the agency where to mail the finished apostilled version. If you're in Paraguay, instruct them to use DHL to send it to a DHL kiosk in Asunción.

If the agency offers translation into spanish, do not accept. Translation must be done by an official translator in Paraguay.

Congratulations! You now have your apostilled FBI background check.