FBI background check questions - Does name need to match new married surname?

[tom_from_sk]

Hello,

My fiance is about to start the FBI background check process. She will be completing this with her maiden name and I have heard that the process will take about 16 weeks or so.

Once we get married we want to first change her name on her passport before submitting the outland application. As a result, the FBI results will be in her maiden name. Is this an issue or will the CIC personnel recognize that with the marriage certificate that this is the same person?

Also - Is there a post on here that refers to a basis step by step recommended guide to the FBI background check? My fiance is going to look into fingerprints and such, but to be honest we are a little in the dark as far as the whole process. We are hoping to kick this off in the next week so we can have the results back by early to mid August and be able to send in the Outland application once we receive updated passports.

Thanks for your input in advance!

 

[Kayaker]

Hello,

My fiance is about to start the FBI background check process. She will be completing this with her maiden name and I have heard that the process will take about 16 weeks or so.

Once we get married we want to first change her name on her passport before submitting the outland application. As a result, the FBI results will be in her maiden name. Is this an issue or will the CIC personnel recognize that with the marriage certificate that this is the same person?

Also - Is there a post on here that refers to a basis step by step recommended guide to the FBI background check? My fiance is going to look into fingerprints and such, but to be honest we are a little in the dark as far as the whole process. We are hoping to kick this off in the next week so we can have the results back by early to mid August and be able to send in the Outland application once we receive updated passports.

Thanks for your input in advance!

I requested my FBI certificate a couple of months before I was married, so the certificate was in my maiden name. After I was married I did change my name to my husband's, but most of my papers (medicals, three police certificates from three different countries, etc.) were in my maiden name. That was not a problem at all. In one of the forms you have to write down all (if any) other names you have used in the past, such as a maiden name.

Not sure about a step to step guide for the FBI, but I went to my local police headquarters and requested they fingerprint me. I brought with me the paper I printed out by downloading it from the FBI website. I asked them to do two sets of prints, because I had heard that the FBI can be finicky about some people's prints (people with drier skin may have fainter lines?) and I sent the prints and the payment form (credit card authorization form) and a cover letter stating that I am applying for PR and would like the results by the end of the year, please, if I may, and sent it off. The cover letter isn't necessary, but I did one anyway. I got the results back by the end of the year, by the way. But FBI checks didn't take 16 weeks back then.

Good luck!

 

[OhCanadiana]

Hello,

My fiance is about to start the FBI background check process. She will be completing this with her maiden name and I have heard that the process will take about 16 weeks or so.

Once we get married we want to first change her name on her passport before submitting the outland application. As a result, the FBI results will be in her maiden name. Is this an issue or will the CIC personnel recognize that with the marriage certificate that this is the same person?

Also - Is there a post on here that refers to a basis step by step recommended guide to the FBI background check? My fiance is going to look into fingerprints and such, but to be honest we are a little in the dark as far as the whole process. We are hoping to kick this off in the next week so we can have the results back by early to mid August and be able to send in the Outland application once we receive updated passports.

Thanks for your input in advance!

The FBI has a step-by-step guide on their website that may help you at http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/submitting-an-identity-history-summary-request-to-the-fbi. To get fingerprints taken, depending on the state (or province), police may or may not offer fingerprinting services. If they don't near you, don't fret. Do an internet search for fingerprinting services in your geography or look up PIs. A bit morbid, but coroners are usually very good at taking prints so they can be a good resource for 'difficult' prints.

There's no problem with changing names. The FBI does the background check by checking prints so the name doesn't matter. As Tom mentioned, just make sure to include the various names in the application.

One more tip: double check that the forms weren't updated before you submit them after your wedding. The date is on the bottom left corner of the form so just compare the ones you have prepared with the latest ones available online.

Good luck as you go through both wedding prep and the application process.

 

[tom_from_sk]

Thank you for your help! I appreciate the effort and information!

 

[OhCanadiana]

Thank you for your help! I appreciate the effort and information!