My FBI File.

As an immigration attorney (and client) you want to know everything about your case before submitting it to the government for adjudication.  While most clients can remember if they've ever been in trouble with the law, others aren't so sure.  I've had the nice little surprise, "Oh, yeah, Ms. Berry.  I have a clean record.  It's all good," only to find out later, "hey, I forgot to tell you about that time..."

It happens.  We forget.  We lose papers.  In order to refresh a client's memory or to have a better understanding of any possible infractions, I usually have my clients submit fingerprints to the FBI for a background check.  By doing so, my client sees what USCIS will see.

For example, I had a client who couldn't remember if she gave a false name and was fingerprinted at the border.  That would be on her FBI check, so I had her get one.  Another time my client had an outstanding arrest warrant for petty theft, but didn't know about it (he had moved).  The public defender was able to help my client have the charges dismissed so that he could pursue his immigration application without a hitch.  If we hadn't received the FBI check, my client's visa application could have easily been denied, or worse.  He could have been put into removal.

So how does one obtain the FBI check?
Go to a UPS store (or somewhere where they'll do fingerprints).  You want the old-fashioned card with ink.  You state your purpose:  personal reasons and a background check. You send the card to the FBI with an $18.00 money order/cashier's check to:

FBI CJIS Division – Record Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306