Article: Obtaining federal criminal records involves accessing the FBI website and requesting a copy of your Identity History Summary, which is the FBI's name for a criminal history report. The FBI only allows you to request a copy of your own Identity History Summary, meaning you will not be able to look up someone else's federal criminal records through the FBI's database. If you are looking for your federal criminal records, you will start by visiting the FBI's website and filling out the Applicant Information Form. This form will ask you for the following information: Your name; Your date of birth; The last four digits of your Social Security Number; Your identifying information (e.g., your height, weight, hair color, and eye color); Your home address and the address you would like your records sent to; The reason for your request; and Your signature. Once you have completed your Applicant Information Form, you will need to get your fingerprints taken and the original copy of your fingerprints must be sent in with the rest of your application. To obtain your fingerprints, go to your local law enforcement agency or sheriff's office and they should have a fingerprint technician available. The fingerprint technician will have a fingerprint card available and your name and date of birth must be provided on that card. To ensure a satisfactory experience, bring a standard fingerprint form (FD-258) with you when you go to get your fingerprints taken. In order to receive a copy of your criminal records, you must provide an $18 payment in the form of a certified check, money order, or a credit card. Cash, personal checks, and business checks will not be accepted. In order to ensure you have completed all the required information and you are ready to send in your application, review this checklist. Once you are able to cross off all of the boxes on the checklist, you will be ready to send in your application. When you are ready to mail in your application, gather your Applicant Information Form, your completed fingerprint card, and your payment. Mail all of those documents to FBI CJIS Division - Summary Request, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306.

What is a summary?
Understand who can request a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Identity History Summary. Complete an Applicant Information Form. Obtain a set of your fingerprints. Submit your required payment. Review the Identity History Summary Request Checklist. Mail the required items.