To get an FBI background check fee waiver, call the FBI at (304) 625-5590 or email identity@fbi.gov before you mail anything, then submit your request with a written claim and proof that you cannot afford the $18 fee. The authority for the waiver is federal regulation 28 CFR § 16.33, which lets the FBI waive the fee for anyone who provides “a claim and proof of indigency” with their request.1eCFR. 28 CFR 16.33 – Fee for Production of Identification Record The regulation doesn’t list which documents count as proof, which is exactly why the phone call comes first.
Call or Email the FBI Before You Submit Anything
The FBI’s FAQ page is explicit: if you cannot pay the $18 fee, contact (304) 625-5590 or identity@fbi.gov to receive instructions for requesting a waiver before you send in your request.2Federal Bureau of Investigation. Identity History Summary Checks Frequently Asked Questions Mailing a waiver packet you assembled on your own can lead to rejection or delay because you didn’t follow the process the FBI expects.
When you reach out, ask what documentation they want and whether they want the written indigency claim in a particular format. What they tell you will be more specific than anything in the regulation.
What Counts as Proof of Indigency
The regulation’s entire standard is “a claim and proof of indigency” submitted with your request.1eCFR. 28 CFR 16.33 – Fee for Production of Identification Record There is no fixed income threshold, no list of qualifying documents, and no reference to the poverty guidelines. You need to convince the reviewing officer that paying $18 would be a genuine hardship.
People who receive means-tested benefits have an easier path because another agency has already verified their financial need, but the waiver isn’t limited to public assistance recipients. Anyone who can document that they lack the resources to pay can request one.
The types of evidence that tend to demonstrate hardship:
- A letter from your local social services agency confirming you receive SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, or a similar benefit.
- Your most recent federal income tax return, recent pay stubs, or an employer statement showing current earnings.
- Recent bank statements showing your balances and activity.
- Bills or receipts for rent, utilities, childcare, or medical costs that show your income going to basic needs.
If You Don’t Have Standard Records
Not everyone has tax returns or pay stubs. If you’re unemployed, homeless, or otherwise lack traditional income records, write a personal statement explaining why that documentation isn’t available and describing your finances in detail. A dated letter from a shelter, if you’re connected to one, adds credibility. If you’re not, a statement from someone in your community who can attest to your situation helps fill the gap.
Writing the Claim Itself
Keep the written statement direct. Say you’re requesting a waiver of the $18 Identity History Summary fee because you cannot afford it, then describe your finances in concrete terms: monthly income (or its absence), major expenses, and any benefits you receive. Tie your documents to your inability to pay. A reviewer who can see the math at a glance is more likely to approve than one who has to piece it together.
The Rest of the Request Packet
The waiver doesn’t replace the standard request materials. You still need a completed Identity History Summary Request Form (Form 1-783) with your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number, along with a fingerprint card.3Federal Bureau of Investigation. Identity History Summary Request Form You can print the FD-1164 civil fingerprint card from the FBI’s website on plain white paper, or use the card stock provided by a law enforcement agency or private fingerprinting service.2Federal Bureau of Investigation. Identity History Summary Checks Frequently Asked Questions
Once you have your instructions from the FBI, assemble the form, your fingerprint card, your written indigency claim, and your supporting documentation into one package. Mail it to:
FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, West Virginia 263064eCFR. 28 CFR 16.32 – Procedure to Obtain an Identification Record
Use a mailing method with tracking. Waiver requests need a manual review of your indigency documentation, so expect them to take longer than standard requests. The FBI doesn’t publish a specific timeframe, but says all requests are processed in the order received and that mail submissions take longer than electronic ones.2Federal Bureau of Investigation. Identity History Summary Checks Frequently Asked Questions There is no expedited option.
Fingerprinting Costs Are Separate
The waiver covers the FBI’s $18 processing fee. It does not cover fingerprinting. Local law enforcement agencies, sheriff’s offices, and private fingerprinting companies charge their own fees, typically $15 to $25 depending on where you go. Police departments and sheriff’s offices tend to charge less than private services. If you’re already working with a legal aid office or community organization, ask whether they cover fingerprinting for clients.
If Your Waiver Is Denied
A denial isn’t the end of the road. Read the letter carefully, because it may tell you why the documentation fell short. From there:
- Pay the fee and move forward. The FBI accepts a certified check or money order payable to the Treasury of the United States, not personal checks, business checks, or cash.1eCFR. 28 CFR 16.33 – Fee for Production of Identification Record2Federal Bureau of Investigation. Identity History Summary Checks Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact the FBI again to ask what was missing, then resubmit with stronger or clearer evidence of indigency.
- Reach out to a local legal aid office. If you need the check for employment, housing, or immigration and genuinely cannot pay, they sometimes help with fee waiver applications or with covering the cost.