Same-Day FBI Background Check in Washington, DC: Live Scan Fingerprinting, Results in Hours (2026)

October 20, 2026 · DC Mobile Notary™ — Washington, DC

Quick answer

Yes, you can get an FBI background check the same day in Washington, DC. Book a live scan appointment at our office at 2001 L Street NW, or at our Arlington office, and bring a valid photo ID. We capture your fingerprints digitally in about 15 minutes and submit them electronically through an FBI-approved channeler. Most reports come back within hours as a signed PDF by secure email.

Need it for a visa, residency or job abroad? We add the U.S. Department of State apostille under the same roof, in 9 business days. Call 202-247-0837 to book.

‍

Same-day FBI background check at a glance

‍

Three ways to get an FBI background check, compared

The FBI issues the same Identity History Summary either way. What changes is how long you wait, and who catches a bad print before it costs you time. The FBI says it handles requests in the order received and doesn't expedite them, so the submission route is what makes the difference.

‍

Our Washington, DC and Arlington offices

Booking ahead is what makes same-day results possible. A technician and a live scan device are held for you, so your submission goes out the moment capture ends. Evening and weekend slots at our DC office fit around a working day.

‍

What happens at your appointment

1. Book a slot online or by phone at 202-247-0837.
2. Show your photo ID. Expired IDs can't be accepted.
3. We capture your prints on live scan and check quality on the spot, so a smudged print doesn't cost you a resubmission.
4. We submit electronically through an FBI-approved channeler listed on the FBI's official website.
5. You get a signed PDF by secure email, usually within hours. We print a hard copy if you ask.

‍

Four things to know before you book

• You can only request your own record. Under U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73, an Identity History Summary may only be requested by the person it belongs to. We can't run one on an employee, tenant or relative.
• U.S. citizens and green card holders can use same-day channeler service. If you're neither, your request goes directly to the FBI. Call us anyway, and we'll walk you through that route at no charge.
• Bring a valid photo ID. There's no way around an expired one.
• A few reports take longer. If the FBI flags a submission for manual review, most often because of prior arrest history, it can run past the same day. We tell you as soon as we know.

‍

Using your FBI report abroad? You'll need a federal apostille

Foreign governments almost always want the U.S. Department of State's apostille on an FBI report. Because the FBI is a federal agency, a state office can't do it reliably. We run both steps in one chain: fingerprinted in the morning, report the same day, then we prepare Form DS-4194 and hand-deliver your report to the State Department. The full chain takes 9 business days, compared with about 5–6 weeks if you mail it to the State Department yourself.

• Hague Convention countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Korea: the apostille is the final step. See FBI background check apostille.
• Countries outside the Convention such as the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait: we continue to the embassy or consulate. See embassy legalization.
• Translation: we provide certified translations where the country requires one.

How recent does it need to be? The FBI sets no expiry date, but most consulates and agencies want a report issued within the last 3–6 months. Check before you apply. A stale report is one of the most common reasons a file gets sent back.

‍

Who needs an FBI background check

• Visas and residency: long-stay visas and residency permits in almost every country
• Citizenship and immigration files abroad
• Work permits and teaching contracts across Asia, Europe and the Gulf
• International adoption dossiers
• Checking your own record before a licensing application

If your consulate asked for a state police clearance instead, that's a different document. Send us the requirement through our free 24-hour pre-check and we'll confirm what you need before you pay.

‍

Can't come to us? We come to you

Our mobile fingerprinting team covers Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia: homes, offices, hospitals and care facilities, including group capture for staff onboarding. See live scan fingerprinting.

‍

Book your FBI background check

Washington, DC office: 2001 L Street NW, Suite 545, Washington, DC 20036
Arlington, VA office: 5315 Langston Boulevard, Suite B, Arlington, VA 22207
Phone: 202-247-0837 | Email: support@dcmobilenotary.com

→ Book a same-day FBI background check
→ Add a federal apostille
→ How to retrieve your FBI results

‍

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an FBI background check the same day in Washington, DC?
Yes. Through an FBI-approved channeler, most reports come back within hours of your live scan appointment. Book at our office at 2001 L Street NW or in Arlington.

How long does the appointment take?
About 15 minutes. Your prints are captured digitally on live scan, so there are no cards or ink.

What do I need to bring?
A valid, unexpired government photo ID: a driver's license, state ID, passport or permanent resident card.

Is the channeler report the official FBI background check?
Yes. Channelers submit your fingerprints to the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division and deliver the FBI's electronic result to you.

Can I walk in?
We work by appointment at both offices, so a technician and a live scan device are reserved for you. Call 202-247-0837 and we'll try to fit you in the same day.

Can I get an FBI background check on an employee or relative?
No. Under U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73, only the person the record belongs to can request it.

I'm not a U.S. citizen or green card holder. Can I still get one?
Yes, but your request goes directly to the FBI rather than through same-day channeler service. Call us and we'll guide you through it at no charge.

Do I need an apostille on my FBI background check?
If you're presenting it to a foreign government, almost always. We get the U.S. Department of State apostille for you, and the full chain takes 9 business days.

How long is an FBI background check valid?
The FBI sets no expiry date, but most consulates and agencies accept a report issued within the last 3–6 months.

Do you offer mobile FBI fingerprinting?
Yes, in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia, at homes, offices, hospitals and care facilities.

‍

Official sources

• FBI — Identity History Summary Checks FAQs: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks/identity-history-summary-checks-faqs
• FBI — List of FBI-approved channelers: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelers-for-departmental-order-submissions
• FBI — U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/us-department-of-justice-order-556-73
• U.S. Department of State — Criminal records checks: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/living-abroad/criminal-records.html

This article is general information about document authentication and fingerprinting procedures, not legal advice. Government hours, fees and requirements change. Confirm what your receiving authority requires before you submit.