US Police Clearance: FBI Processing Times

[swestenzweig]

I received my clearance letter in the mail today from the FBI today.

Here's a quick timeline of the milestones. From my experience, it looks like 14-16 weeks once the FBI has received the request. It's hardly comparable to the 20 days I've heard it taking before the FBI CJIS moved to their new computer system in September, so I can only hope they can improve the turn-around time going forward.

Received by FBI CJIS: November 4, 2014
Completed by FBI CJIS: February 18, 2015
Mailed by FBI CJIS: February 20, 2015

In any event, until these police clearances can be turned around more efficiently by the FBI, you'll need to plan your own submission timeline accordingly. Remember, you've got 90 days from the date the FBI completed the request to submit your application.

 

[Panamai]

I received my clearance letter in the mail today from the FBI today.

Here's a quick timeline of the milestones. From my experience, it looks like 14-16 weeks once the FBI has received the request. It's hardly comparable to the 20 days I've heard it taking before the FBI CJIS moved to their new computer system in September, so I can only hope they can improve the turn-around time going forward.

Received by FBI CJIS: November 4, 2014
Completed by FBI CJIS: February 18, 2015
Mailed by FBI CJIS: February 20, 2015

In any event, until these police clearances can be turned around more efficiently by the FBI, you'll need to plan your own submission timeline accordingly. Remember, you've got 90 days from the date the FBI completed the request to submit your application.

Oh, nice! They received mine on Nov 18, so hopefully just a couple more weeks for me. Thanks for posting!

 

[Kae12345]

Did you receive your report yet? If not, you may want to ask CJIS to look you up via your SSN. That was the only system it was noted about the rejected prints. BTW, we still haven't received a notice of rejection from CJIS and it's been almost 2 weeks since the prints were rejected.

Saria1, No I still have no received them yet. Thanks for the tip. My hubby's the American, so if we haven't got it by tonight, I'll ask him to call CJIS tomorrow.

 

[zainy]

Hi all,

FBI received my fingerprints on Dec 3rd, 2014 which means I will receive my report roughly a month from now (fingers crossed) according to other timelines I have seen.

Would it be a wise idea to then mail out my complete application to Mississauga to get my sponsor approved and attach a note about the FBI delays and then send my fingerprints in once I receive them? I am filing an outland application.

The only reason I'm torn is because I know the FBI report is valid for 3 months but I feel like I would be in the safe zone. Just wondering if anyone has done this or has any experience on the matter. Thanks!

 

[Panamai]

Hi all,

FBI received my fingerprints on Dec 3rd, 2014 which means I will receive my report roughly a month from now (fingers crossed) according to other timelines I have seen.

Would it be a wise idea to then mail out my complete application to Mississauga to get my sponsor approved and attach a note about the FBI delays and then send my fingerprints in once I receive them? I am filing an outland application.

The only reason I'm torn is because I know the FBI report is valid for 3 months but I feel like I would be in the safe zone. Just wondering if anyone has done this or has any experience on the matter. Thanks!

I've done this, but I haven't received either the SA or the FBI report yet. I should be receiving my FBI clearance around March 10th based on the timeline they gave me. CIC received my application on Jan 30, so I'm hoping SA will come no later than the end of April, at which time I will overnight the report to Ottawa. I think there are several of us in this situation right now with the FBI backlog.

 

[zainy]

I've done this, but I haven't received either the SA or the FBI report yet. I should be receiving my FBI clearance around March 10th based on the timeline they gave me. CIC received my application on Jan 30, so I'm hoping SA will come no later than the end of April, at which time I will overnight the report to Ottawa. I think there are several of us in this situation right now with the FBI backlog.

Thanks for your feedback! I think I will go ahead and send my application in and then send the fingerprints when they arrive. The irony that the FBI have updated to a newer, "faster" system is beyond me :

 

[carl321]

I filled in sept (mid)

just saw the amount taken from my bank accnt

Its about time...

 

[Ponga]

Add to that the FACT that the U.S. Congress has their heads up their as$...AGAIN, meaning that they're [probably] going to let the Department of Homeland Security run out of money on Friday, which will furlough a lot of people. While this won't have an immediate impact on the FBI staff, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it has a ripple effect that ultimately will.

I say that as an American that is rapidly losing respect for my country.

USA once meant "United States of America"

Now it means..."Unable to Solve Anything".

 

[Panamai]

Add to that the FACT that the U.S. Congress has their heads up their as$...AGAIN, meaning that they're [probably] going to let the Department of Homeland Security run out of money on Friday, which will furlough a lot of people. While this won't have an immediate impact on the FBI staff, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it has a ripple effect that ultimately will.

I say that as an American that is rapidly losing respect for my country.

USA once meant "United States of America"

Now it means..."Unable to Solve Anything".

agreed

 

[carl321]

Desi Consultancies that find jobs to students via fake resume-s are the root cause for the downfall here

I really hope USCIS look into this carefully. There are local state uni graduates who land good jobs with fake resumes and ivy league graduates staying at home

This is a corrupt system unfortunately backed up with other financial benefits

 

[jamsham12]

What do you expect anything involving a government agency in the United States takes forever. Last year I got my FBI clearance in 2 months and thought that was quick submitted another one as mine is expiring 2 months ago and they still haven't charged my card which would indicate they have in fact completed the check but nothing......

 

[Kae12345]

We finally received my hubby's FBI clearance! The stamp on the envelope says that it was mailed on February 3rd...and our landlord just gave it to us...along with other important mail from January...

 

[Aquakitty]

For anyone who wants to get this police certificate quicker and has a US mailing address, there are FBI "channelers" who can get it done in two days. They will accept fingerprints from any country (assume Canada) but can only mail the result to a US address. I had mine in 2 days for $39.95 USD.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelers

Here's the particular place I used: http://www.myfbireport.com/

 

[sage81]

For anyone who wants to get this police certificate quicker and has a US mailing address, there are FBI "channelers" who can get it done in two days. They will accept fingerprints from any country (assume Canada) but can only mail the result to a US address. I had mine in 2 days for $39.95 USD.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelers

Here's the particular place I used: http://www.myfbireport.com/

Hi, are you US citizen or permanent residence?

 

[Aquakitty]

Citizen, but both citizens and permanent residents can submit their request this way according to the FAQ since it's not for employment purposes.