FBI Background Check
How to obtain your FBI criminal record check for an Ecuador visa application.
Every Ecuador visa applicant over 18 must submit a criminal background check from their country of origin and any country where they resided in the last five years. For US applicants, the FBI background check is the national-level requirement.
How to Get It
- Request your Identity History Summary through the FBI's website.
- Submit your fingerprints electronically (preferred) or by mailing a standard fingerprint card.
- Receive the results via mail or electronically.
After You Receive It
The FBI background check must be:
- Apostilled — at the federal level (US Department of State) or via the state workaround.
- Certified translated into Spanish by a translator licensed by Ecuador's judiciary (e.g., EcuadorTranslations.com).
- Notarized translation — the translation itself must be notarized by an Ecuadorian notary.
Validity
The background check is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. Plan your application timeline so the background check does not expire before submission.
If There Is a Record
If your FBI background check shows any record — even a dropped or dismissed charge — you will need a court disposition explaining the outcome. See the Court Dispositions guide for details.