How to Get an FBI Background Check from Madrid
Living in Madrid and told you need an FBI background check? Most local offices in Spain aren't reliably set up to take prints in the FBI's format, and the U.S. Embassy won't do it either. Here is what to know, where your real options are, and how to avoid the mistakes that cause delays.
If you are living in Madrid and someone has just told you that you need an FBI background check, your first instinct is probably to search for the nearest police station. That is where it gets complicated: most local offices in Spain are not reliably set up to take fingerprints in the specific format the FBI requires, and availability varies by station.
Here is exactly what to know before you go, and how to avoid the mistakes that cause delays.
What an FBI Background Check Actually Is
What most people call an "FBI background check" is officially an FBI Identity History Summary — a record of any reported criminal history held in the FBI's national database. It is most commonly requested for visa applications, employment abroad, professional licensing, adoption, and study-abroad programs.
Getting one starts with fingerprints, submitted either on a physical card — commonly the FD-258 or FD-1164 — or through certain approved electronic channels. Our FD-258 fingerprint card guide explains which card applies when.
What You Should Know Before You Search for a Local Office
Some Policía Nacional stations will take ink fingerprints on an FD-258 card if asked, but this depends entirely on the individual station, its staff, and local policy. There is no standardised process across Spain, no guarantee of availability, and no reliable way to confirm in advance whether a given station will help — some applicants who plan around this option alone end up turned away.
Where to Get FBI Fingerprinting in Madrid
| Option | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Local Policía Nacional station | Some stations take FD-258 ink prints, but it depends on the station and isn't guaranteed — call ahead before relying on it |
| Specialised fingerprinting provider | Look for one experienced with FBI-format submissions, not just general fingerprinting — not every provider in Madrid knows the specific requirements |
| Mobile fingerprinting service | An experienced fingerprinting contractor captures your prints in the correct format at a convenient location, cutting the rejection risk of an unfamiliar provider |
Printwise Global provides mobile fingerprinting in Madrid, with prints captured by experienced, professional fingerprinting contractors.
Who Actually Needs This in Madrid
- Visa or residency applications requiring a criminal background certificate
- Employment abroad, especially in regulated industries like healthcare, education, or finance
- Professional licensing in Spain or a third country
- International adoption
- University or study-abroad program requirements
- Corporate relocation and international background screening
What You Need for Your Appointment
- A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID — a passport is generally the safest option
- The correct fingerprint card or process for an FBI submission
- Your personal information for the Identity History Summary request
- Any documentation or instructions from the organisation requesting the background check
- Your deadline, particularly if the document is for a time-sensitive purpose
What Happens After Your Prints Are Taken
Getting fingerprinted is only step one. From there, most applicants also need:
- FBI background check processing — the completed card is submitted for review by the FBI
- Apostille certification — Spain is a Hague Convention country, so an apostille is commonly required if your report is used internationally, though this can vary by institution and purpose
- Certified translation — if the receiving institution requires the report in Spanish
Skipping or misordering any of these steps is what causes most rejections, and rejections mean restarting the fingerprinting process from scratch. If you are unsure whether you need an apostille or something else, see apostille vs attestation vs legalisation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Madrid
How Printwise Global Helps
Navigating fingerprinting, FBI processing, and apostille certification from Madrid is manageable, but only if each step is done in the right order and to the right specification. Printwise Global helps U.S. and Canadian citizens across Spain with:
- Guidance on where and how to get FBI-compliant fingerprints taken in Madrid
- FBI background check submission and processing support
- Apostille certification guidance for Hague jurisdictions like Spain
- Mobile fingerprinting in Madrid, captured by experienced, professional fingerprinting contractors
Canadian and need an RCMP check instead? That process works very differently — see our guide to the RCMP criminal record check from Madrid.
Frequently asked questions
Options include a local Policía Nacional station (availability varies), a specialised fingerprinting provider, and mobile fingerprinting through Printwise Global.
No. The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Spain don't offer this service.
Spain is a Hague Convention country, and an apostille is commonly required, though requirements can vary by institution and purpose, so confirm directly with the organisation requesting your document.
This is usually caused by poorly rolled prints from a provider unfamiliar with FBI requirements, or the wrong card format. It means resubmitting, which can add weeks.
Yes. Printwise Global provides guidance on fingerprinting, FBI submission, and apostille certification for clients navigating the process from Madrid.
The Printwise Team
Identity Verification Specialists
Printwise Global is an international identity-verification company providing certified fingerprinting, FBI and RCMP background checks, apostille, and certified translation. Our specialists manage cross-border document requirements end to end for clients across the USA, Canada, the UK, India, and beyond.
