FBI Background Check

[Soon2BWifey 1]

I was arrested for credit card fraud 25 years ago. I served probation and adjudication of guilt was withheld, which means I do not a conviction on my record, and I can legally answer "no" to the "Have you ever been convicted or a crime?" question on various applications. I have not been involved in any legal trouble since. I know I still have to submit my records from that arrest, which I do have.  My question is:

 

I have to complete an FBI background check with fingerprinting every 5 years for my job. Would it be to my benefit to include my most recent FBI report with my I-129F packet? Or should I wait and see if they request it, assuming they're going to do their own background check anyway?

[Edward and Jaycel 1,662]

I see no benefit in submitting your own FBI background check and they would probably disregard it in any case. You are required to provide documents regarding your arrest and most importantly documents showing the disposition of the case. I found this out the hard way via an RFE on my I-129F. So I would concentrate on those documents. They will obtain their own FBI records check on you. Best wishes for a speedy approval!  

[Crazy Cat 43,939]

2 hours ago, Soon2BWifey said:

Would it be to my benefit to include my most recent FBI report with my I-129F packet? Or should I wait and see if they request it, assuming they're going to do their own background check anyway?

No need to provide an FBI check.  USCIS will conduct background checks as part of the process.  It is wise to disclose everything up front as failure to do so could cause a denial at the interview.

Edited May 12 by Crazy Cat

[W199 448]

1 hour ago, Soon2BWifey said:

I was arrested for credit card fraud 25 years ago. I served probation and adjudication of guilt was withheld, which means I do not a conviction on my record, and I can legally answer "no" to the "Have you ever been convicted or a crime?" question on various applications. I have not been involved in any legal trouble since. I know I still have to submit my records from that arrest, which I do have.  My question is:

 

I have to complete an FBI background check with fingerprinting every 5 years for my job. Would it be to my benefit to include my most recent FBI report with my I-129F packet? Or should I wait and see if they request it, assuming they're going to do their own background check anyway?

Which “various applications” are you referring to?  As for the I-129F it clearly asks if you have ever been arrested which you clearly must answer yes and supply the required documents as others have explained herr.

[Soon2BWifey 1]

Thank you all for your responses. 

I'm just at the point where I'm questioning everything, and I don't want to end up sending too much info. I think I have my packet together and will be mailing it this week. Yes, I am including my certified records from that offense, and I am being very transparent and providing all necessary info. I was just considering including my most recent background check as well but wasn't sure if I should.

By various applications, I just mean any kind of application that asks, such as employment applications, housing applications, bank applications, etc.; I am legally allowing to say I have not been convicted of a crime.

[Loren Y 2,767]

Yes, the background check they run is probably more detailed than anything you get. I just applied a few months ago for a CBP job in Mcallen, TX to work at one of the commercial crossings. I have all sorts of backround checks run. FBI every year for my current job, have done other ones thruout my life from fingerprinting to just general ones. Have done 3 polygraphs total, 1 for this current application with CBP. I just received a copy on the backround check they ran, and it is the most detailed thing I have ever seen in my life. It has every interaction I have ever had with any type of law enforcement. Were talking speed tickets, parking tickets, window tint violations, and just about anything else you can imagine. Things I completely forgot about from over 20 years ago like when a cop stopped me for parking in a fire lane to make a delivery, no ticket, but it was noted in my record. None of these things ever came up on my FBI check. It spanned every state I lived in and anywhere I had any type of involvement with law enforcement. Since this was CBP, assume they use the same for anyone applying for anything involving them. It took me almost 2 months to get the final report, so they put some time into it, and didn't miss anything. Even when I had my FFL, and I still have my Concealed weapons permit, and some class 3 stuff in the safe, I don't think the check was this detailed.

[W199 448]

16 hours ago, Soon2BWifey said:

Thank you all for your responses. 

I'm just at the point where I'm questioning everything, and I don't want to end up sending too much info. I think I have my packet together and will be mailing it this week. Yes, I am including my certified records from that offense, and I am being very transparent and providing all necessary info. I was just considering including my most recent background check as well but wasn't sure if I should.

By various applications, I just mean any kind of application that asks, such as employment applications, housing applications, bank applications, etc.; I am legally allowing to say I have not been convicted of a crime.

Just be sure to include the certified court recond that includes the dispostion of the case, and you'll be fine.  If that is missing you will get an RFE. 

[Vickys_Mom 256]

23 hours ago, Soon2BWifey said:

Would it be to my benefit to include my most recent FBI report with my I-129F packet?

No.

 

You are being honest when you check the "yes, I was arrested" box.  And you're providing the resolution of your court case.  That's something they would expect to see.

 

They do *not* expect you to send them any FBI background check documentation.  Not only do they do their own checks but you're giving them an exception to things they are used to seeing.  You will confuse them.

 

Be honest when they ask.  Don't volunteer stuff.

 

Regards,

Vicky's Mom