FBI Criminal Record Check

An FBI Criminal Record Check (aka Identity History Summary) is required for US citizens who wish to immigrate to Israel, or receive certain types of visas to Israel. The certificate is also needed when applying to several types of US visas by Israelis who previously lived in or visited the United States.

The State of Israel requires a certificate of integrity / police record from those who wish to

immigrate to Israel, receive permanent status here
or apply for several types of visas, such as as a foreign expert visa.

This article by attorney Joshua Pex will explain how to obtain a fingerprints scans for an FBI Criminal Record Check in Israel.

Why are fingerprints necessary to obtain an integrity certificate?

Each state in the US has a separate police force, and not all information about criminal records is shared between states. As a result, the closest public document the US has to a federal “integrity certificate” (as it is known in Israel) or a “police certificate”, as it is known elsewhere, is the Identity History Summary. This document establishes that the applicant has or doesn’t have recorded criminal history in the US that is known to the FBI. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) deals with particularly serious crimes at the national (federal) level. Submitted fingerprints are also compared with those of known terrorists or international criminals, even if they have never been caught in the United States.

How do you take fingerprints for an FBI Criminal Record Check in Israel?

Many Israelis assume they would have to contact US authorities in order to submit fingerprints. After all, who knows exactly which experts in Israel are competent, professional, and recognized as valid authorities by the FBI?

Our offices works with Israeli fingerprint experts who have proven experience working with the FBI and immigration authorities in a variety of countries. Contacting an expert allows you to quickly and professionally have your fingerprints scanned at your home or in an office in central Israel.

What happens if I want to immigrate to Israel but have a criminal record in the US?

Israeli immigration authorities (mainly the Ministry of the Interior, but also the Israeli Police, the intelligence community etc.) weigh the security of Israeli citizens against the right of the applicant to enter and reside in Israel. Our law firm in Jerusalem specializes in assisting in aliyah and entering Israel with a criminal record. It is important to remember that even if the FBI record contains previous convictions, it may not result in the denial of the application.

The same applies for Israeli citizens who wish to travel to the US. Depending on the severity of the offense and reason for entering the US. In some cases your attorney may be able to help you apply for a waiver of inadmissibility, allowing you to work or live in the United States.

Contact:

Our office specializes in immigration to Israel and the US. Both Israeli and US citizens can contact us for help with receiving an FBI Criminal Record Check.

Call us to arrange a meeting at our law office in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.