Thread: Criminal Background Check: Local vs State vs Nationwide (USA)

So today I went to my local police department to obtain a criminal background check. The lady at the desk told me that she could only get me a local (county-wide) check (I went ahead and got 2 sealed copies of this). She said if I wanted a state-wide check, I would need to contact the State Department. That got me thinking, there is also probably a country-wide check as well...ugh...so which one will be sufficient for my getting a job and non-imm. B visa? I have only until next Tuesday before I leave the U.S.A. Any help is appreciated!

If you have only until next Tuesday, go with what you got. Most people get the $16.00 FBI check. But you don't have time. Use the county-wide.

Originally Posted by cluezo

If you have only until next Tuesday

You can't even get the rush-job FBI background check in that short a frame of time. I think the FBI expedited check cost me $60 last time I had it.

---Update---

Originally Posted by blcampbell42

there is also probably a country-wide check

You can start the process for getting the FBI clearance and have someone from your home mail it to you in Thailand. Because you need to be fingerprinted for the FBI clearance, you must do that before leaving the US.

Haa, so I would need an official FBI check? Well, I guess I'll just have to get my parents to UPS it to me along with my Degree certificate...I just hope it doesn't delay my getting a job to the point of me running into financial trouble. Oh well, thanks for the help guys. I guess it's a wing and a prayer for me!

Originally Posted by blcampbell42

I would need an official FBI check?

I think your county/city background check will just be fine. Don't panic about this. Just go the FBI site and print out the fingerprint cards you'll need for an FBI check, then go over to the police department and have them fingerprint you. Your parents can send you the form afterwards. You can even have them SCAN the form in the US and send it to you as a pdf, okay?

Originally Posted by blcampbell42

Well, I guess I'll just have to get my parents to UPS it to me along with my Degree certificate..

That won't work as you need to submit to fingerprinting. Just use the county wide check. It'll work fine. Play dumb & sincere .

Hi - for the expedited check, did you use an FBI approved channeler? If so, which one? Another forum member told me to make the submission on my own. But the FBI website says that if I make the submission, then the processing time is five to six weeks. Using one of the approved channelers means a processing time of five to six days. Isn't the result the same? i.e., either way you get the same piece of paper?

City or state checks are sufficient for your average job in Thailand. They are often not asked for even though they are on the list of requirements for a visa.

BETTER schools will ask for an FBI check.
Legalization or an apostille are NOT necessary.

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Originally Posted by ttompatz

BETTER schools will ask for an FBI check.

I'm not sure whether schools that ask a FBI check are better. I rather say that it's up to the school's policy.