FBI Clearance Required?

[Nacafagno 0]

Hello all,

 

My wife is awaiting her visa interview in Manila and since today I was under the impression that only an NBI clearance was needed for the beneficiary. 
 

She just told me that she saw other petitioners posting that some CFO counselors are asking for FBI clearance from the petitioner. Is this a new process they are implanting that I’m unaware of. I can’t find much I formation online about it but from what I can tell this is coming not from the US side, but the Filipino government. Should I go ahead and obtain this clearance just in case? The application is only $18 but the fingerprint fee is $50 so I’d rather not waste the money if it’s not even an issue. Any information would be appreciated. 

[Dashinka 25,845]

Moved to the Philippines Regional Forum as topic is country specific.

[nelmagriffin 167]

Hello!

1. 

NVC Processing

 

2.

Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)

or

Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)

 

references:

 

 Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and Interview Preparation

A. What are the Requirements?

 

Primary Requirements

1. Barcoded Confirmation form of GCP Appointment
2. Original valid passport and additional two (2) valid IDs;
3. Original valid visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (for Canada-bound only);
4. Petitioner’s passport copy or one (1) valid ID; and
5. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Marriage certificate in security paper (if married in the Philippines);
6. Report of Marriage in Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) security paper (if married overseas)

 

Additional documents may be required in the event that the counselor / facilitator determines it to be essential to complete the guidance and counseling process. It is advised for all the GCP applicants to prepare the following documents in advance (if applicable to them):

• Divorce decree/certificate of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse (if previously married)
• Annulment papers of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse (if previously married)
• Proof of residency/Alien Registration Card-ARC of foreign spouse
• Proof of relationship (pictures together, e-mails, among others)
• Death certificate of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse (if widowed)
• Certificate of family relations / registration of foreign spouse
• Proof of Civil status or Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
• Valid no criminal records certification/clearance or any equivalent document to indicate lack of criminal/derogatory record
• Documents in foreign language must be officially translated to English

 

[nelmagriffin 167]

I have not heard of anyone being asked with FBI CLEARANCE, but maybe some members could chime in.

 I simply typed and here is the answer.

Immigrant sponsors are not required to have an FBI background check¹²³⁴⁵. However, they are responsible for providing financial support to the immigrants they sponsor¹³⁴

[J.M. 314]

Over the past several months, some petitioners (10 or so) have reported being asked to provide an FBI background check for CFO.  However, all of them that I am aware of were for K-1, not spousal.  I doubt that will make any difference but just pointing that out.  I would get one, especially if your wife has significant travel to attend CFO.  At least one person was told that they could email the FBI report, which they did.  Upon receipt of the email, CFO replied and said (I'm paraphrasing) "great, now hand deliver it to us."  

[Aquabac 6]

On 7/6/2025 at 4:31 AM, Nacafagno said:

Hello all,

 

My wife is awaiting her visa interview in Manila and since today I was under the impression that only an NBI clearance was needed for the beneficiary. 
 

She just told me that she saw other petitioners posting that some CFO counselors are asking for FBI clearance from the petitioner. Is this a new process they are implanting that I’m unaware of. I can’t find much I formation online about it but from what I can tell this is coming not from the US side, but the Filipino government. Should I go ahead and obtain this clearance just in case? The application is only $18 but the fingerprint fee is $50 so I’d rather not waste the money if it’s not even an issue. Any information would be appreciated. 

My Fiance said in her chat group that the girls say it is now a requirement.
 I decided to get it.  Not hard to do

Go on the FBI website and search for criminal history background check

You can fill it all out online and pay with a credit card

$18.

they then  send you an email with a  PIN  you will need.

 

Then pick a fingerprint place that scans.

 US Post Offices  have some locations.

They have a zip code search feature on the FBI link.

Mine was 22 miles from me

 

You need to print out a barcode from an email the FBI sends you and bring that as well as ID 

 

Fill out instructions, Follow the procedure for the local post office you will use ( I called to confirm)

Some require appointments, some have special hours

Mine did not. Just show up during business hours.

Costs $50

I had my background pdf within an hour.

They state on the website it can take up to 15 days for online,  A lot longer if you mail it 

 

So it was easy doing it electronically 

Total Cost $68

 

 

 

 

[RO_AH 1,684]

Not required but they can ask for anything they want to at the CFO. Smart move to get it. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[Elitevaz 2]

I got mine today. I did the application yesterday and went to the post office around noon. It's now 3 hours later and I have the report. Sent it over to fiance so they can't stop her over that.

[Nacafagno 0]

3 hours ago, Elitevaz said:

I got mine today. I did the application yesterday and went to the post office around noon. It's now 3 hours later and I have the report. Sent it over to fiance so they can't stop her over that.

How much did the whole process cost? I heard that the post office charges around $50 for the fingerprint service. 

[Nacafagno 0]

On 7/8/2025 at 2:58 PM, Aquabac said:

My Fiance said in her chat group that the girls say it is now a requirement.
 I decided to get it.  Not hard to do

Go on the FBI website and search for criminal history background check

You can fill it all out online and pay with a credit card

$18.

they then  send you an email with a  PIN  you will need.

 

Then pick a fingerprint place that scans.

 US Post Offices  have some locations.

They have a zip code search feature on the FBI link.

Mine was 22 miles from me

 

You need to print out a barcode from an email the FBI sends you and bring that as well as ID 

 

Fill out instructions, Follow the procedure for the local post office you will use ( I called to confirm)

Some require appointments, some have special hours

Mine did not. Just show up during business hours.

Costs $50

I had my background pdf within an hour.

They state on the website it can take up to 15 days for online,  A lot longer if you mail it 

 

So it was easy doing it electronically 

Total Cost $68

 

 

 

 

So it seems like everyone who has been required to do it so far is filing the K1 visa. I’m filing a spousal visa. You think it’s still a safe bet to get?

[RO_AH 1,684]

9 hours ago, Elitevaz said:

I got mine today. I did the application yesterday and went to the post office around noon. It's now 3 hours later and I have the report. Sent it over to fiance so they can't stop her over that.

You sent it through the post office????😲

[Aquabac 6]

13 hours ago, Nacafagno said:

So it seems like everyone who has been required to do it so far is filing the K1 visa. I’m filing a spousal visa. You think it’s still a safe bet to get?

 Since this is for the Philippine  government I don't think they care what kind of visa it is about.

 It's part of the CFO process.

Sad there aren't more people on this site that  went through this recently and posting their experience.

Supposedly they are asking for it more now than ever before.

If you have things on your record I would think it would be a red flag if you don't supply it.

 Like you were trying to hide your past from her

Part of the CFO is to make sure she knows about you and your history 

She only has to give it to them if they ask for it.

 

So what can happen if you get it or if you don't?

 

1) If you don't get it and if they don't ask for it: 

 you saved yourself some time  & $68

 

2) If you don't get it and they ask for it she will most likely be delayed.

She will have to go home  and you will then have to get it and then she will have to go back for the interview again.

 

I decided to get it and not take the chance

 

 

 

 

[Aquabac 6]

7 hours ago, RO_AH said:

You sent it through the post office????😲

You go online to the FBI website and fill it out.

Pay them $18 then you pick an approved  " Third party"  fingerprint place that scans finger prints 

The Post office has various locations that do it and you can find them on a zipcode search right on the FBI website.

I called to confirm they do it and hours and whether I needed an appointment.

 

You print out an email from the FBI with a barcode and bring that.

They look at your ID, scan the bar code, scan your fingerprints and you pay them $50.

The sanner sends it directly into the FBI

Then they send you an email when it's ready and you go back online and download it 

 

 

[Edward and Jaycel 1,901]

8 hours ago, RO_AH said:

You sent it through the post office????😲

 

Yes they partner with the FBI to do digital fingerprinting at select locations... That's how I did mine too. It's super fast that way, I had my results back in like 2 hours.

[RO_AH 1,684]

7 hours ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

Yes they partner with the FBI to do digital fingerprinting at select locations... That's how I did mine too. It's super fast that way, I had my results back in like 2 hours.

But did you use USPS to send it to the Philippines? That's more what I was asking.