How to Get an FBI Background Check (Spain vs. USA)

If you are applying for a Spanish visa, an FBI background check is one of the documents you will almost certainly need. How you go about getting it depends on where you are when you start the process.

If You Are in Spain
Getting your fingerprints taken from abroad sounds complicated, but it is more manageable than most people expect. The first step is having your fingerprints rolled with ink, which can be done at a local police station or by someone who is qualified to do it. If you are based in Madrid, Blueprint Spain can roll your fingerprints at the office and mail the card directly to the FBI on your behalf. For full details on this process, see our guide to getting your FBI background check from Spain.

If You Are in the US
If you are still stateside when you begin your visa preparation, the process is even more straightforward. Live Scan locations capture your fingerprints digitally and transmit them straight to the FBI, which is the method we recommend. Results typically come back within 48 to 72 hours, depending on the location. It is fast, clean, and removes a lot of the uncertainty that comes with mailing physical fingerprint cards. More information is available in our guide to getting your FBI background check in the US.

One Important Note
Receiving your FBI background check results is not the final step. There is additional processing required before the document is ready to submit with your visa application — we cover exactly what to do in our post on what to do after you get your FBI background check. But getting your fingerprints rolled is the necessary first step, and knowing your options makes it much less daunting.