The video library.

Your next chapter is in France. The paperwork can feel less straightforward. If your application calls for an FBI background check, start with a clear plan. With Sequana, prepare for your fingerprint appointment, one step at a time.

Start with the instructions for your application. What document is being requested? Which fingerprint card is accepted? And how should your fingerprints be submitted? Keep those instructions and your request reference together. Before booking, confirm what to bring, so you arrive prepared.

The FBI calls this report an Identity History Summary. You can start your request online, even while you’re in France. Then mail your completed fingerprint card with a printout of your confirmation email to the address shown in that email. Your online request and your fingerprint card are two parts of the same process.

The FBI provides a standard fingerprint form called FD-1164. It asks for rolled and flat impressions of all ten fingers, along with your name, date of birth and signature. The prints must be current and legible. If the impressions are unclear, the card can be rejected, delaying your request.

The FBI accepts fingerprints taken with ink or live scan. But digital capture does not always mean digital submission. If you are sending your fingerprints by mail, a live scan still needs to be printed onto a card. Before booking, confirm how your prints will be taken and how they will reach the FBI.

Once your FBI report arrives, check whether your French application requires an apostille. This certificate authenticates the origin of the document. For an FBI report, the apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State. Keep it attached to the report, and confirm the translation requirements for the complete set of documents.

For naturalisation by decree, your English-language FBI report needs a French translation. In France, a court-listed sworn translator can provide it. Send the complete documents, including any apostille, and confirm which pages need translating. When the translation is ready, check the names and dates against the originals, and keep both versions together.

Before you submit your file, check the complete document chain: the FBI report, any required apostille, and the French translation. Make sure every page is readable and that names and dates have been reproduced accurately. Keep the originals safe, even if you apply online. You may need to present them during your naturalisation interview.

Plan for both cost and timing. List the fingerprint appointment, the FBI request, delivery, translation, and any required apostille as separate budget items. Check what each quoted price includes. Allow time for each stage, including postal delivery and any corrections. Keep track of what has been sent, what has arrived, and what still needs attention.

Ready to take the next step? Sequana offers ink fingerprinting in Paris for your FBI request. We prepare two fingerprint cards with you and check the impressions before you leave. Follow the link in the description to see what to bring and request your appointment. Your next chapter in France starts with a clear next step.