FBI police checks for Americans applying for the 820/801 Australian Partner Visa
Last Updated on 2 February 2022
If you’ve lived in the United States of America for a period of more than 12 months during the last 10 years, you’ll need to submit an FBI Identity History Summary police check as part of the requirement for your 820/801 Australian Partner Visa. This applies even to non-US citizens and non-US permanent residents who have lived in America.
Unfortunately, it can be a bit of a headache to complete the FBI police check if you’re currently living in Australia— you’ll be required to mail off a set of fingerprints and the FBI is notoriously particular about it, which means most people will use a professional fingerprinting service… expensive and very limited appointments. Instead, I decided to take my own fingerprints and had great success! Here’s everything you need to know about getting your FBI police check while living in Australia.
Need to complete your police check in Australia, too? COMPLETING AFP NATIONAL POLICE CHECKS (NPC) FOR YOUR 820/801 AUSTRALIAN PARTNER VISA
Read my whole series on applying for the 820/801 Australian Partner Visa for more information about preparing your evidence, lodging your application, and the next steps. If you’re just beginning, start with this post to get an overview (and to read about our story). And, as always, please remember that I am not a migration agent or affiliated with Home Affairs in any way, so all the information provided in these posts and in the comments below is based entirely on my own experience and my own understanding of the application process.
How to apply for the FBI police check
There are essentially 3 options for applying for the FBI police check:
- Online: submit the application for an FBI police check online and then mail just the fingerprints to America
- Snail mail: mail the entire FBI police check application along with your fingerprints to America
- Use an authorised “channeler”: a third-party service can submit this request for you. I’ve heard that this is the easiest and quickest option for getting your FBI police check, but it is more expensive, can only be used by American citizens or PRs (so not someone who has just lived in America on a visa), and you need to be in America to receive the results by mail. So this is not useful if you’re applying for a Partner Visa onshore in Australia!
The FBI also has a great page outlining all of the different options and steps. This post will cover the steps for submitting an online application for an FBI police check, as this is the best option in my opinion!
Online application for FBI police check
1. To begin your online application, visit the Electronic Departmental Order website and enter your email address in the blue box on the right hand side of the screen (you’ll need to scroll about half way down the page).
2. You’ll receive an email from Criminal Justice Information Services with a 6-digit PIN number. Click the link in your email (“Click here to access your request”) to be directed to a new webpage, where you can enter the PIN.
3. Begin the application by completing some basic personal information, including your full name, DOB, and the last 4 digits of your social security number.
4. Provide your mailing address and phone number in Australia (if you are living in Australia).
5. Confirm how you would like to receive the FBI police check. I requested a hard-copy for my records (it’s likely that an electronic copy would suffice, but I wanted to be safe!).
6. You’ll be asked to confirm your full name, mailing address, DOB, and social security number one last time.
7. You can pay for the FBI police check using a credit card, PayPal, or Amazon Pay. As far as I could tell, the cost is $18USD irrespective of payment method.
8. Following payment, you will be redirected to a page with status information about your application. Don’t be alarmed that it reads INCOMPLETE, this just means that the FBI is still waiting on your fingerprints. Take note of the address on this page, it’s where you’ll be sending your fingerprints! I’d also recommend downloading a copy of the application (using that long blue button on the top of the page) just for your own records.
Getting your fingerprints in Australia
Regardless of whether you’ve applied online or by paper application for the FBI check, you’ll need to mail fingerprints to the FBI in America. These fingerprints must be on an Applicant Fingerprint Form (FD-258), which you’ll also fill out with some personal information (name, DOB, address, social security number, height, weight, eye colour, hair colour, etc).
Professional fingerprinting
It used to be that you could just rock up to a police station and get your fingerprints taken for free, but apparently that’s no longer the case. There are only a few police stations that offer the service now and you’ll need to make an appointment, as well as pay a fee ($50.40 for a single set or $71.10 for 2 sets; note that these prices may be specific to VIC).
You can make an appointment or find more information on these pages:
I originally planned to just get my fingerprints done at the police station in Melbourne since it seemed the easiest choice, but appointments were booked out months in advance and I didn’t like the idea of turning over $71.10 (better to get 2 sets, in case one is rejected by the FBI, which does happen), so I ended up taking my own prints.
Taking your own fingerprints
It’s surprisingly easy to take your own fingerprints— I’d recommend getting a specific “fingerprinting pad” (these are actually inkless, so they don’t smudge or stain), which should cost around $10-15 from a craft store.
You need to provide a rolled fingerprint for all 10 fingers, as well as a flat fingerprint for each hand (4 fingers together for right and left, then both thumbs together), and the best way to learn the technique is to watch this YouTube video and read this handout from the FBI on fingerprinting:
Using these resources, I managed to take decent fingerprints completely on my own and these were accepted by the FBI. Granted, I sent them 6 copies of the form because I wasn’t sure which prints they’d like best and I wanted to be safe… but my Police Check was finalised with no issue! I’d suggest sending at least a few versions to avoid possible delays.
Sending your police check request to the FBI
After completing your FD-258 fingerprint form (including all the necessary personal details), you need to mail that form AND a copy of your online application email confirmation to the FBI at the following address:
FBI CJIS Division
ATTN: ELECTRONIC SUMMARY REQUEST
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306
The best way to do this is by Registered Post or Express International Post, since these both have end-to-end tracking. It’ll definitely cost you ($24 or $36, depending on which option you choose), but at least you’ll know exactly when your forms have been received.
Just 4 days after I got the SMS notification from AusPost that my parcel had been delivered, I got an email from the FBI saying that my “Identity History Summary Response” was available for review online.
Using the link and pin given in their original email (after submitting the online application), I was able to log-in and download my letter from the FBI, which could then be uploaded to my application. It’s not to say that everyone’s turn-around will be this quick, but at least it’s promising to know that there’s not a large backlog of these requests at the FBI!
* I am not a migration agent or affiliated with Home Affairs in any way, so all the information provided in these posts and in the comments below is based entirely on my own experience and my own understanding of the application process.
If you found this post helpful and want to contribute to some of the costs associated with running the blog, I would be infinitely grateful!
You can use the PayPal button below to donate whatever you feel this information is worth. If you aren’t able, don’t worry— I will always keep my posts free and accessible for everyone!
UPDATE: A MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who’s commented to let me know that you found these posts helpful— I can’t tell you how much it means to me to read your success stories! I worked incredibly hard to compile all of this information (while getting my PhD & teaching), but it’s genuinely been worth it to make even a small difference for my fellow immigrants.
More importantly, though, THANK YOU to everyone who has shared their own experience or answered questions for other readers in the comments below! We are building a wonderful & supportive community of Partner Visa applicants here, and every comment and question is a resource for others.
If you felt like these posts helped with your application, I’d encourage you to come back after your visa is granted (or even after various milestones) and let us all know what happened— it might mean the world to someone else struggling with this process! Best wishes to you all xx bb
The Comments
Nicolas
Hi Brooke! is the inked fingerprints the only option acepted by FBI? I’ve been searching online and some people said I could do scanned fingerprints on the local police station but the question is: do I need to submit the scanned ones to the same email address I sent all the other information? thank you so much for your help.
cheers
Nicolas
brooke brisbine
NicolasHi Nicolas, I’ve not heard of the option to do scanned fingerprints, but that absolutely could be a new option since I submitted my application several years ago now. If you ended up sending digital prints, I’d be really appreciative if you could leave a reply– it might help future readers with the same question 🙂
xx bb
Michael
Hi Brooke and everyone. Thanks so much for your detailed explanation. I followed the steps and made the online submission and mailed the fingerprint cards. Auspost says they have arrived last Thursday. No update from FBI yet. Still says missing fingerprint card. I wonder how long before I should start panicking. I wrote an email to fbi today.
Frankie
Hi Brooke,
Your whole blog has been incredibly helpful throughout the whole process thank you soooo much!!
I know you are American so may not know the answer but I am a bit stressed so thought I would ask anyway! I am from the UK but lived and worked in America 2016-2017 and I have absolutely no idea what my social security number is, do you think I can put N/A for this question as I can’t find any answers online to how I would find out what it is?
Thank you xx
brooke brisbine
FrankieHi Frankie,
So glad to hear you found these posts helpful! I don’t know about the SSN issue, I’m assuming you’ve since figured it out (I am SO sorry I didn’t see this comment sooner)– if you have the chance, please come back and let us know what you ended up doing, it may help others in a similar situation!
Wishing you all the best,
xx bb
Gabriel
Hi Brooke,
After filling out the form and putting your fingerprints down, did you still need a Police Officer to sign the form before submitting it to USA?
Thanks Gab
brooke
GabrielHi Gab,
Nope, no need for anyone to witness or sign the prints!
xx bb
Mia
GabrielHi just reading through this and i was wondering what kind of paper you used for your fingerprints? Thanks so much
Vanessa
HI Brooke,
Thank you so much for your blog it is really helpful. I am not an US citizen but lived in NY for 2 years (2006-2007). I was single back then. Should I include my single name – as this is how they would know me there – or my married name, which is my current name and the one I am using in my application.
Thank you!
Vanessa
brooke
VanessaHi Vanessa,
On the physical form, there’s a space for you to write other “aliases”, so you should be able to include both your married and maiden name on the form. As for the online application, your instinct to use the legal name you had while living in the US is probably correct, but that’s just my opinion and not based on any actual experience. Best of luck!
xx bb
Megan
VanessaHi Vanessa, what did you end up choosing? And was it successful? My old passport, known to the US doesn’t contain my middle name. And my current one does. Wondering the same thing.
Grace
Thanks for this! Quick question: Did you leave the “ORI” field blank? The card says it’s a required field but seeing as I’m doing the prints myself, I don’t know what to put there.
Thanks!
brooke brisbine
GraceHi Grace,
From memory, I just left all those fields (related to who took the prints) blank.
Hope that helps!
-Brooke
Jennifer
Do you know if non-americans can submit their request online then send the fingerprint cards? Or is the only option to submit everything by post (e.g. application form etc).
Any insight would be super helpful! My Aussie visa has been approved pending the FBI history check.
brooke brisbine
JenniferHi Jennifer,
I actually don’t know about that one– all I know is that I was able to submit the request online, but as an American myself, I can’t say whether this applies to everyone.
Perhaps another reader will know the answer to this??
Hehe
JenniferHey, Jennifer, yes, I am Korean and did it and it worked well. I mostly followed steps that Brooke did. I did it as it’ was one of my visa requirements in Aus and I lived in US for a bit
Cata Wanderlust
Brooke,
Thank you so so much for sharing your experience and guiding us step-by-step. I was freaking out when I found out I had to get an FBI Check Report as a non-American. Hands-on!
Thank you again and safe travels.
brooke brisbine
Cata WanderlustSo happy to hear this post helped you, Cata! Best of luck with your application 🙂
Tamim Mia
Great post. Keep up the good work.
brooke brisbine
Tamim MiaThanks, Tamim!
Anonymous
brooke brisbineThanks for the post Brooke! What is your advice regarding old fingerprints? Say I have a set in my storage from a few years ago, do you reckon they’ll still be accepted or do they require them taken within a certain time frame? Thanks in advance
brooke brisbine
AnonymousSince the prints need to be directly on the FBI’s official fingerprint sheet, I don’t think it would work to use old prints– unfortunately!
Kayla
Hi Brooke! Firstly wanted to say thank you so much for putting in the time and effort to make this blog it has helped my partner and I so much through this process. For the fingerprinting is it okay to use a standard ink pad? Im unable to find an inkless one in store and wanted to confirm it wasn’t a requirement.
brooke brisbine
KaylaHi Kayla, thanks for your lovely comment!
I’d definitely recommend inkless, it will print much more clearly and give you a better chance of having them accepted the first time. You can order it online from a link in this post, I believe!
Cora
Hey Brooke – thanks so much for this page. It is awesome.
Quick Q – I got my FBI check granted over 2 years ago for my 482 sponsor visa. I now plan to use the same granted FBI check to lodge my partner visa.
This is because I have not returned to the US for longer than 2 weeks since my last FBI check. I plan to just submit a stat dec with it.
Do you know anything about this/if this approach is OK?
Thank you!!
Cora
brooke brisbine
CoraHi Cora,
Unfortunately, the FBI police check is only valid for 1 year, so you’ll probably have to redo it, even though you haven’t lived there since your last check– ugh!
Homer
Thanks for this blog post Brooke. I was scouring the internet for resources, and glad I saw yours. The WA Police don’t do fingerprinting services anymore. Since I am in a rush, I decided not to do the fingerprinting myself and just chose to go to a fingerprinting company here that offers money back guarantee if the prints were declined. Your blog helped me fill in the form though. Saved me time, i was in and out of the place within 20 minutes, and paid $100. Small price to pay for peace of mind.
brooke brisbine
HomerThanks for the comment, Homer!
Do you mind sharing the name or website of the fingerprinting company you used in WA, just for other local readers?
Thanga
Hi Brooke,
This is such an amazing post for the community detailing out everything related to getting a FBI clearance.. Great run through of steps and well compiled to guide the ones who are after the same thing.. I followed this for my wife and got the result exactly as you described. Thank you so much for this article… just a funny side note – I tried hard to get the inkless pad that you referred to, but for some reason there’s was a huge delay in processing those orders.. so got a $2.50 usual ink pad from a local dollar shop and my wife was able to practice it with couple of finger print cards to get trained and then tried to do 3 more cards to send it via express post.. was fingers crossed and got the result just then..!!
Also another pointer (not needed though): Officeworks team were able to help me in printing the FD258 cards in a kind of a thick A4 thick card kind of paper and was able to cut the cards along those lines to make it look like the ones from Amazon… looks like that might have helped when my wife used the usual ink pad…
Cheers! Thanks heaps again!
Erin
Thank you for creating this blog! It has made the process of applying for Australian PR so much easier!
brooke brisbine
ErinHi Erin, so glad you found it helpful!
Best of luck 🙂
Tea
Hi Brooke, just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you for sharing this info with us all! I did my own fingerprints following your instructions and they got approved!!! I am so surprised and happy, saved $50 doing it myself instead of going to a police station here and only getting one fingerprint card.
Anyways, thank you soooo much again. I can’t believe I did it! (Wouldn’t have been able to if it weren’t for your article)
brooke brisbine
TeaHi Tea,
So happy this post was helpful AND managed to save you some money in the process 🙂
Best of luck with your application!
-Brooke
Monisha Viswa
Hi Brooke,
Thank you for the amazing posts. You are really amazing .
My situation , I have been in Seattle (2014-2016) and came to Australia to do my Uni mid 2016 and have been here since.
I am in the process of applying for Spouse Visa(820) onshore applicant. I got RFI for US Police Clearance . So my questions :
1) Do we need State Police Clearance from US , In my case from Washington ?
If yes can you please let me know how to apply for Washington State Police Clearance?
2) I got FBI Clearance but there is a line in clearance that states ‘This IDHS is not provided for the purpose of licensing or employment or any other purpose enumerated in 28 CFR 20.33’ even after selecting Live , Work or Travel from the drop-down . Will Australian Immigration Dept accept the clearance ?
Thank you for helping again 🙂
Regards,
Monisha.
brooke brisbine
Monisha ViswaHi Monisha,
You only need the FBI clearance, not individual state clearance from the US– everything you see in this post is everything you need for the police checks from America.
As for the specific line you’re mentioning, that seems to me like a standard line and nothing you should be concerned about– the clearance definitely works for this visa!
Best of luck 🙂
-Brooke
Monisha Viswa
brooke brisbineThank you so much 🙂
Anonymous
brooke brisbineI just got a call from Aussie immigration about my application and they said I also need a state police clearance! UGH! they said you need a state police clearance in addition to the FBI one if you have lived in a US state for more than 3 months within the last 12 months. So for you Brooke, it makes sense why you didn’t need it. this is so overkill, surely the FBI one should be enough…!
brooke brisbine
AnonymousThanks so much for clarifying this, hopefully that will help others in a similar situation!
xx bb
Lisa
Hi Brooke. What sweet relief to come across your blog site. You write in a way that flows well and truly helps make sense of this partner visa tangle.
My question about the FBI check.. I’m living in the US and will be here until Australia’s borders open. I’m flying there to get married as soon as possible and then split onshore. Can I get the FBI check done while I’m still here in the states waiting, or will it be too out of date to bring it with me at that time?
brooke brisbine
LisaHi Lisa,
The FBI check only has a 12-month validity, so as long as your application is reviewed in the next year, the check should still be good 🙂
Best of luck!
-Brooke
Consuela
Hi Brooke! Thank you so much for this post. I was curious about the fingerprint paper. Did you use any special paper or cardstock for this? I was wondering if I could just download the form online and then print it on original paper. Thanks again for this post. I found it so helpful! 😁
brooke brisbine
ConsuelaHi Consuela, so glad you found the post helpful! I just used normal A4 printer paper and mine were accepted 🙂
Polly
Hi Brooke,
What did you put in the “Reason fingerprinted” section of the form?
Thanks!
Polly
brooke brisbine
PollyHi Polly,
I listed “Aus permanent residency” or something similar to that… I couldn’t find a list of choices, but that worked for me!
-Brooke
Peyton
I cant express to you how valuable this blog has been to me. I am living in Melbourne as well, and hiring a lawyer for my partner visa was never financially an option. Your site has guided me through the whole process on my own and has given me the confidence in my application. Thank you so much Brooke xx
brooke brisbine
PeytonThanks so much for the lovely comment, Peyton, it’s always wonderful to hear that these posts are helping others!
Hiring a lawyer wasn’t an option for me either and I was constantly confused during the application process due to either conflicting or non-existent info online… hope this makes it a little easier for you 🙂
-Brooke
Megan
I want to thank you so much for this detailed tutorial, my fingerprints were accepted and I am soo relieved!
For reference – I was so worried the prints would be rejected, I ended up doing 7 copies (and it was very difficult doing it myself, as everyone else was hesitant to help with the fingerprints). I just followed the video linked above, and tried to be super careful not to touch anything with inky fingers (and wash my hands thoroughly after printing each hand). I paid for international express postage, but it still took about 10 days to get there due to COVID shipping delays. Then it took about 3.5 business days before I got the email telling me my response was ready.
brooke brisbine
MeganThanks for the update, Megan, great to hear that others are also having success with DIY fingerprinting 🙂
Ying Zhe Ha
Hi Brooke,
I am also currently in the process of applying for a USA Police check. My first one got rejected (it was technically my fault because I didn’t read the instructions clearly and did all “flat” finger prints instead of rolled one sigh..) But anyway, I just submitted my second application (as per instruction you have posted above, I have read through the documents and have watched the video you recommended!). However, just wanted some more clarity with the ink that we are allowed to use for the FBI fingerprint card, can I just get the ink pad from a craft store (like officeworks) and just follow the instruction? Or is there like a specific ink that we are required to use? I don’t have the time to order the fingerprint ink pads online at the moment… so I was wondering if just normal ink pad are usable? Also, I tried my best to get the best and smudge-less fingerprints, however i find it IMPOSSIBLE for the rolled fingerprints to not smudge because basically you are ROLLING from one side to another, nail to nail! The smudge wasn’t obvious, but you can see it if you look really really close on it. (I also sent them four copies, just in case any of them doesn’t work…)
And just wondering if I failed to get them to accept my second round of fingerprints.. what should i do if I want to get someone professional to get my fingerprints done for me (like at the police station etc)? Nonetheless your post is amazing! It was a really really helpful guide for those submitting their USA fingerprint cards for the first time! Thanks a lot x!
Yours Sincerely,
Ying Zhe Ha
brooke brisbine
Ying Zhe HaHi Ying, thanks for your comment!
I used a specialised fingerprinting pad– since these are technically inkless (don’t ask me how that works lol), it’s much easier to get a good fingerprint! I can’t comment on whether it’s possible with something from Officeworks, but I can tell you it’s super easy with a special pad ordered online, if time allows.
Hope you were able to get your second set approved!
-Brooke
Anonymous
Hey Brooke,
Thanks so much for this post it is just what I needed! I’m not american, but lived in usa for a year and a half and I need to do this. I had a social security number when I lived in VA, but I don’t have it anymore and have no access to my old one. I read somewhere that it is ok and you can just put N/A in that field. Have you ever read any info about this? I know this is only your experience but maybe you know something more than I do hahaha. I’m about to get my fingerprints taken in the NT but reading all the comments I am so tempted to do it DIY… Did you just print the fingerprints form in regular paper?
Thanks so much for your help and posts, you can’t imagine how helpful it has been in the process of applying!
brooke brisbine
AnonymousI haven’t actually heard anything specific about what to do if you don’t have a SSN, but I would imagine N/A would be the only option if you truly don’t have one!
Yes, I printed the form on normal printer paper and it was super easy… up to you, but it is a nice way to save some money on this expensive application 🙂
Best of luck x
Darcy
Hi, Thanks for your incredible post.
I would like to ask 2 questions if you don’t mind.
In the section that it asks country of residence, did you put Aus or US.
I am from another country but holding student visa in AUS and need fbi check to another visa, since I lived in USA for some years.
Another question is, did you print your fingerprint paper black and white or does it have to be colored?
brooke brisbine
DarcyHi Darcy,
I listed Aus as my country of residence, since it’s where I was living at the time of application, and I printed the fingerprinting page in black and white. Hope that helps!
-Brooke
Darcy
brooke brisbineHi Brooke,
Haha as you can see my comment was a few months ago, so guess what? I got mine approved. Thank you so much! I attached several copies of mine, some if them was black and white and some of them were colored😂 since I am a chicken. And residency I searched a lot on the internet and did what you replied.
I am quite sure yours is the only post that explains about this fbi fingerprint check. I don’t know if you already have one but I recommend you to create youtube video about this, which I am sure will generate many many views over time.
brooke brisbine
DarcyHi Darcy,
So glad to hear you were successful (even if my comment was too late to be helpful)!
I’ll definitely consider putting a video together if you think that would be a good way to help others with the process.
Best of luck!
-Brooke
Morgan
brooke brisbineHi Brooke,
I saw that in your screenshot you listed Australia and the US as countries of residence. Did you keep it that way for the application?
Thanks heaps! The US police check is such a headache.
brooke brisbine
MorganHi Morgan,
Apologies for the confusion, I put both countries on the online portion and then only Australia on the written fingerprint card.
Hope that helps!
-Brooke
Kira
Hi there!
Brooke, I just wanted to thank you so much for putting this blog together. It was easy to follow and it made me feel much more comfortable doing my own prints.
I just thought I’d give new readers my timeline! I applied for my 820 visa in June 2019. I did my health assessment in November 2020. I did my background check in January 2021.
I waited longer to do my background check and health check because the processing time for my visa was originally 24-27 months, but it shot up to 36 months during the height of Covid. My processing time is now back down to 23-27 months, so hopefully, I will be approved soon!
I did my FBI background check on 19.01.20. I mailed my prints off the very next day 20.01.20. It cost $36 and they arrived in West Virginia on 26.01.20. I received an email at 4 AM on 28.01.20 saying that my prints had been received and I could review the status of my application!
They were approved and I was able to download them and upload them straight to my application.
** I will also note that I FORGOT to attach the confirmation email when I mailed in my prints. I almost had a panic attack when I finally realized, but they were approved without the email printout. I am not recommending to not send it, but if you forget there’s a good chance you will still get approved. **
Also, I was advised by a lawyer that you do not have to submit a state background check if you haven’t lived in your home state for more than a year, in case anyone has been wondering about that.
If you are reading this and aren’t a part of the Partner Visa Australia Group on Facebook, I highly recommend joining now! It is extremely helpful.
Good luck everyone, and thanks again, Brooke!
xoxo
Kira
brooke brisbine
KiraThanks so much for the detailed comment, Kira, it’s always great to hear about other readers’ experiences!
Best of luck with you application, hopefully good news isn’t long off 🙂
-Brooke
Linsey Marchant
Hey Brooke! Your page was such an awesome spot to stumble on. I have referred back to it many times in the process. About the FBI check, do you think there would be an issue with sending both mine and my husband’s prints in 1 express mailer if they are then in separate envelopes inside with the reference numbers and prints?
brooke brisbine
Linsey MarchantHi Linsey, so happy to hear these posts have been helpful!
I’m honestly not sure about mailing both together– on the one hand, surely it wouldn’t make a difference, but the FBI have also been known to be particular, so I probably wouldn’t risk it personally. But it could be fine!
Let me know if you do end up sending them together, it would be great to hear if that works 🙂
-Brooke
Jason
Hi Brooke,
Thanks for sharing your own experiences with the partner visa. I was just curious if printing the FD-258 on A4 paper was what you did. I think paper sizes are different between Australia and the USA so just wanted to double check with you.
brooke brisbine
JasonHi Jason,
Just a standard piece of printer paper is fine– you’re right that A4 is slightly different than the American standard 8.5″ x 11″, but I had no issue using A4 for my submission, I don’t think they are quite that particular when it comes to a few millimetres.
Hope that helps!
-Brooke
Chelsea
Hey Brooke-
How long did it take for them to accept the fingerprints after they were delivered to the location in West Virginia?
brooke brisbine
ChelseaHi Chelsea,
They accepted my prints 4 days after they arrived!
-Brooke
Dave
Thanks for a wonderful blog. It’s been a really useful resource as we apply for my wife’s partner visa from the states.
A small update for those applying from the US. Many US post offices now have fingerprinting services. (You can check which ones here: https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/org/USPS)
My wife and I recently applied for the FBI check online, went to a nearby post office to submit our prints, and got the result from the FBI by email 30 MINUTES LATER!
brooke brisbine
DaveHi Dave, so glad to hear these posts have been helpful to you!
And a huge thanks for providing an update on fingerprinting in the US– I’m sure this will be a massive help to those getting their FBI check done outside of Aus.
Best of luck with your application 🙂
-Brooke
tim coon
hey, brooke …
– very helpful; thanks!
– BUT … i’m struggling to understand how the fbi is willing to accept ‘home-made’ fingerprints … ie, wouldn’t they be concerned that someone with concerns about their OWN fingerprints would ‘pass off’ some other innocent person’s prints in place of theirs?
– did you ever get any direct confirmation from fbi that this was ok?
Tim
brooke brisbine
tim coonHi Tim,
When you complete the fingerprints yourself, you leave blank the section about which official conducted the printing– so it is definitely clear to the FBI that you’ve done it yourself, it wasn’t as if I slipped through the cracks with my DIY prints. Considering that (and that dozens of readers on this site have successfully submitted their own prints, too), I would say that it is 100% fine to do yourself.
Hope that helps 🙂
-Brooke
Evan
Brooke! Stumbling across your blog has been SO incredibly helpful. As I’m finishing up my partner visa, I have been able to follow your steps to a T. Thank you so so so so much.
brooke brisbine
EvanSo happy to hear you found all these posts helpful, Evan! Best of luck to you and your partner on the application 🙂
-Brooke
Lauren
Thank you so much for this super helpful post! I have been using the advice on your blog since lodging my 820 application and it has made all of the confusing bits so much clearer. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and information!
brooke brisbine
LaurenHi Lauren,
Apologies for my delayed response, but thank you so much for the lovely comment! Always happy to help 🙂
-Brooke
Christian P
Hi Brooke,
All your information is so helpful. Thank you.
One quick follow up….did you need to supply a state level police report?
My understanding is that if you are applying for the visas onshore in Australia, this is not needed. It’s only the FBI report needed.
Any thoughts on this would be great.
Thanks – CP
brooke brisbine
Christian PHi Christina, so sorry for my delayed response!
Yes, it is only the FBI report required, nothing from the state level 🙂
-Brooke
Michelle
brooke brisbineHi Brooke! Thanks so much for all this wonderful information. It’s been so great for my application. I wanted to follow-up on this question about the state level police report – where did you find the information that it’s not required? I read somewhere that it is required if 12 months prior to applying for your visa, if you have lived in any state for at least 3 months, you need a state clearance report? I’m onshore, and applied onshore, but haven’t crossed my 12 month mark in AUS yet, so I’m confused. Can you point us to where you found that information about the state level police not required for onshore? Thank you so much!!
brooke brisbine
MichelleHi Michelle,
It’s possible that you are actually required to have a state clearance if you have recently lived in that state– apologies if my earlier statement was misleading! All I can say for certain is that it’s definitely not required if you haven’t lived in the US in the last year (unlike the FBI clearance, which is still required).
If any other readers have info on state checks, that would be incredibly helpful!
Jessica
brooke brisbineyes, i just spoke with an Immigration agent who told me that if you have lived in a US state for more than 3 months within the last 12 months, you are required to get a state police check as well.
CM Miranda
Hi! Not applying for a partner visa but needed to submit this for Australia PR application and your post was such a huge help! Been waiting for the Melbourne restrictions to be lifted so I can go to a police station but now I’ve decided that I’m going to take my prints myself instead. Thank you!!!
brooke brisbine
CM MirandaSo happy to hear this post was helpful! Hoping your fingerprints were approved without issue 🙂
-Brooke
Joe K.
Massively helpful post.
Kudos on the impressive webpage, and well done documenting your lovely travels.
Thank you for posting your experiences, and thank you for your diligence in adding such easy to use links for the processes.
Thanks again from a Mile High, Centennial Stater relocated to NSW.
brooke brisbine
Joe K.Hi Joe,
So happy to hear these posts have been helpful to you! Best of luck on your visa 🙂
-Brooke
Judith Swanson
Been following your bushwalking adventures near Seattle. The beauty of the places you hiked through made me achingly homesick! Keep those blogs coming, so I can vicariously live through your Washington experiences!
brooke brisbine
Judith SwansonHi Judith,
So glad I can bring a little bit of Washington to you right now! Plenty more to come, stay tuned 🙂
Keep well,
Brooke
Judith Swanson
Just an update on my fingerprint adventure. I purchased official FBI fingerprint cards from Amazon, as well as an ink-less pad. I sent in 4 completed fingerprint cards via Australian International Express Post. Due to lockdown limitations on flights, the document packet sat at the Melbourne airport for 10 days. But, once it reached the FBI, I received my successful letter from them within two days! So, good to go!
I cannot tell you how much Brooke’s blog helped me to resolve this ‘roadblock’ to a somewhat laborious process.
brooke brisbine
Judith SwansonHi Judith,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, and I’m so glad to hear this guide was helpful to you in submitting DIY fingerprints 🙂
Best of luck with your visa!
-Brooke
Samantha
I’m so glad I found this post thank you so much! I actually went to a police station here in QLD to do my fingerprints, mailed them back, and got a denial letter saying they weren’t done properly which was very upsetting considering it cost $100 and several weeks to wait which has delayed the process so I am going to take your advice and try it myself. Thanks heaps again. The big question is once you become a resident do you get a Medicare card? Yay for free health care hahaha 😂
brooke brisbine
SamanthaHi Samantha, I am so happy to hear you found this post useful! And how incredibly frustrating about the rejected prints!
Many readers (in addition to me) have had good success with DIY prints, so hopefully the same will be true for you 🙂
You are actually eligible for a Medicare card as soon as you submit your visa application! You’ll be issued an “interim” card until your residency is actually granted, but it comes with all the same benefits (just a 12mo expiry date before you need to renew again, if your visa hasn’t been granted by then). I have some brief instructions in this post: https://brookebeyond.com/australian-permanent-residency-through-820-801-partner-visa#7_%7C_Enrol_in_Medicare
-Brooke
Greg
Hey Brooke thanks so much for this. Currently doing my fingerprints now- quite stressful i hope mine are accepted 😅. I’ll be sending 4 sets. I bought the same ink (also hoping it doesn’t run out as my partner needs to do his too) as you but im wondering if the prints will smudge when i put the papers together? Did you do anything special or just combine them regularly before putting them in the envelope.
Thanks again,
Greg
brooke brisbine
GregHi Greg,
There should be plenty of ink, so don’t worry about that! I practiced a lot and still had heaps left over 🙂
As for smudging, as long as you let them dry individually, mine didn’t appear to smudge at all when I stacked them together. Yet another reason it’s good to submit several, though, just in case! I think 4 is a good idea.
Best of luck with it!
-Brooke
annie
Hey Brooke 🙂
We are also doing the fingerprints at home without a professional.
Did you fill out the ORI? Or is that for an agency to fill out if you get them done professionally?
Thanks so much!
brooke brisbine
annieHi Annie, I just left that blank 🙂
Best of luck to you guys on your application!
-Brooke
Judy Swanson
Hi Brooke,
First off, good to see that another Seattleite (I’m a former Capital Hill dweller) has found their way to Melbourne! I arrived in Feb. 2018 and put in my application for residency at that time, although applying for a different visa type than yours. And, congrats on your success with that!
I am attempting to update my FBI record as mine is dated 2017. The office here in Melbourne appears to have suspended their services, (Lockdown!) so, I downloaded the correct form and purchased an inkless stamp and am ready to DIY, as you recommended. But, I wondered if the FBI will accept prints not signed off by a notary or some sort of official person. Any insight you can provide would be wonderful!
brooke brisbine
Judy SwansonHi Judy,
I love hearing from other Seattleites on this site, always a pleasure! My brief stint at Seattle U had me living in Capital Hill for a few months and I loved it 🙂
To clarify, if you want to DIY the fingerprints, there’s absolutely no need to have the prints signed by a notary or other official– you can leave that blank. I had no issue getting my prints accepted like this.
Hope that helps!
-Brooke
Julie
Hi Brooke,
Thank you so much for this blog. It’s incredible!
I was just wondering: I saw on your instagram, you’re now a permanent resident (HUGE congratulations!!!), but does that mean you’ve been granted the 801 or “just” the 820? When did your 820 visa get granted? Hope I’m making sense.
Cheers
Julie
brooke brisbine
JulieHi Julie,
So happy to hear you’ve found this blog helpful– and thank you 🙂
I had my 820 and 801 granted simultaneously, so rather than spending 2 years as a temporary resident, I got to move straight onto permanent residency. That is typically the case when you’ve been de facto with your partner 3+ years at the time of application (or 2+ years if you have a child together). You can read more about my experience in this post: https://brookebeyond.com/my-experience-with-the-australian-partner-visa-820-801-permanent-residency-granted-simultaneously
Hope that helps!
-Brooke
Nicola
Awesome thank you for clarifying Brooke! Fingers crossed our application goes smoothly!
brooke brisbine
NicolaBest of luck with it, Nicola 🙂
-Brooke
Nicola
Hi Brooke thanks so much for your blog this is so useful!!
Can I ask with the FBI check – Did you just submit a digital copy and it was accepted?
I am thinking of using one of the approved third party vendors just to speed up the process but it seems they only issue online copies to uS citizens outside of America. Curious to see what you did.
Also the partner visa application continues to reference ‘certified copies’ of birth certificate / passport etc. who did you get to sign this? I am
Not located in the USA right now which makes it complicated.
brooke brisbine
NicolaHi Nicola,
I’m not totally sure I understand your question, but I submitted the “request” for an FBI check online and then mailed in my fingerprints as described in this post. In my opinion, there’s no real need to use a 3rd party, the process is super easy and very quick 🙂
Where did you read that you need a certified copy of your birth certificate or passport? This is the case when you apply by paper application, but there’s no requirement to certify those documents if you’re applying online. A clear, colour scan is all you need, so don’t stress!
Hope that helps 🙂
-Brooke
Evan
Hi! Thanks so much for posting this awesome guide—just used it to send off my for US background check. I came across this useful FBI guide to filling out the FD-258 form (as well as a few other forms). It lists the codes that are supposed to be used for eye color, hair color, sex, race, etc., and gives some more details that I found helpful. The instructions for filling out the FD-258 start on page 12 (they refer to it as a “Civil Fingerprint Card”): https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/guidelines-for-preparation-of-fingerprint-cards-and-association-criminal-history-information.pdf/view
brooke brisbine
EvanThanks for the additional information, Evan, very helpful!
Note to other readers that I just wrote in my actual eye, hair colour, etc (not codes) and this was accepted, so I think either works 🙂
-Brooke
Ceili
Hello!
I was wondering what kind of paper you used for the fingerprinting. In some cases I see that regular printing paper should be fine while in others it seems they require some kind of stock paper. Just wondering what you used.
Thank you so much for doing all of this!
brooke brisbine
CeiliHi Ceili,
I just used normal printer paper and mine were approved with no issue 🙂
Hope that helps!
-Brooke
Justine
Once you’ve submitted your police checks, how long until they granted you the visa?
brooke brisbine
JustineHi Justine,
I uploaded my police checks around the 16 month mark, it’s been 18 months since I submitted my visa now and I’m still waiting– but this is different for everyone!
-Brooke
Dee P
brooke brisbineHi Brooke,
How are you? Thanks for making this blog. Its been a big help to get a very detailed summary of the visa process.
Anyway, I was quite worried that once we submit our application without supplying all the required docs eg FBI police check, this would be an issue. But just wanted to confirm that you ACTUALLY didnt upload yours as soon as you applied? And you just did after a year during the visa processing?
Cheers!
brooke brisbine
Dee PHi Dee, so glad this blog has been useful to you!
Yes, I submitted my application a full year before submitting my FBI police checks (and 6 months before completing my health check and my AFP check, as well)! Since these expire within a year, it’s a bit risky to upload everything with your original application– it DOES happen that some applications are granted within the first 12 months, but it seems pretty rare.
You might choose to do yours within 6 months, that would be a bit safer than waiting 12– totally up to you, as there’s no way to predict when your application will actually be reviewed.
Hope that helps 🙂
-Brooke
BE
I appreciate your time and effort!
You are filling the gap what is needed most among us who apply for spouse visa.
Very valuable indeed and you will get something in return for sure.
Cheers
brooke brisbine
BEHappy I could help!
Best of luck on the visa 🙂
-Brooke
BE
Thank you very much for your help!
Just a few quick question about the form. I do not understand some of the part in the form such as “signature of official taking fingerprints”. Did you fill this part.
Also what sould I put for the following sections?
1 -Aliases
2 – Your no
3 – FBI no
4 – Armed forces no
5- miscelleonous no
6 – ORI
Thank you , thank you, thank you!!!
brooke brisbine
BEHi BE, happy to hear you found this post helpful!
If you’re taking your own fingerprints, you don’t need to include a “signature of official”– just leave that one blank.
All of these other questions are only relevant to limited people. If you don’t have another legal name and aren’t in the FBI or Armed Forces, leave them all blank. I think it’s assumed that if they apply to you, you’d know what they are, so that’s why no explanation is given.
-Brooke
W
Hi Brooke!
Your blog is amazing and has been an incredible help, I appreciate your hard work and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
I have a couple of questions. I’m really sorry if you’ve mentioned this before, but I have been over some of your other posts and I couldn’t find any answers (it is late here though and I’m pretty tired!).
1. When does the FBI Police Check expire? Is it valid for 12 months like the Australian one?
2. Just regarding the Australian Police Check, the NPC, do either of us (given you said we both should do it) have to provide fingerprints? I’m assuming we don’t since it hasn’t been mentioned anywhere but I want to be sure.
Thank you! 🙂 Love your work!
brooke brisbine
WHi W, thank you so much for the lovely comment!
1. I’m actually not 100% sure on this, but I’ve always assumed it was 12 months. That seems to be standard for a police check.
2. There is (thankfully) no need to submit fingerprints for the NPC, it’s a super quick and easy online process.
Hope that helps 🙂
-Brooke