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The primary
function of the FBI is law enforcement. The FBI does not
keep a file on every citizen of the United States. The FBI was not
established until 1908 and has very few records prior to the 1920s.
FBI files
generally contain reports of FBI investigations of a wide range of
matters, including counterterrorism, foreign counter-intelligence,
organized crime/drugs, violent crime, white-collar crime, applicants,
and civil rights.
The FBI
does not issue clearances or nonclearances for anyone other than its own
personnel or persons having access to FBI facilities.
Background
investigations for security clearances are conducted by many different
government agencies. Persons who received a clearance while in the
military or employed with some other government agency should write
directly to that entity.
An FBI
identification record or "rap sheet" is NOT the same as an FBI "file"—it
is simply a listing of information taken from fingerprint cards
submitted to the FBI in connection with
arrests, federal employment,
naturalization, or military service. The subject of a "rap sheet" may
obtain a copy by submitting a written request to FBI, CJIS Division,
Attn: SCU, Mod. D-2, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306. Each
request must have proof of identity which shall consist of name, date
and place of birth, and a set of rolled-ink fingerprint impressions
placed upon fingerprint cards or forms commonly utilized for applicant
or law enforcement purposes by law enforcement agencies, plus payment of
$18.00 in the form of a certified check or money order, payable to the
Treasury of the United States.
The
National Name Check Program (NNCP) conducts a search of the FBI's
Universal Index to identify any information contained in FBI records
that may be associated with an individual and provides the results of
that search to the requesting federal, state, or local agency. For the
NNCP, a name is searched in a multitude of combinations and phonetic
spellings to ensure all records are located. The NNCP also searches for
both "main" and "cross reference" files. A main file is an entry that
carries the name corresponding to the subject of a file while a cross
reference is merely a mention of an individual contained in a file. The
results from a search of this magnitude can result in several "hits" and
"idents" on an individual. In each instance where UNI has identified a
name variation or reference, information must be reviewed to determine
whether it is applicable to the individual in question.
The
Record/Information Dissemination Section/Freedom of Information-Privacy
Acts (FOIPA) search for records provides copies of FBI files relevant to
a FOIPA request for information. FOIPA provides responsive documents to
requesters seeking "reasonably described information." For a FOIPA
search, the subject name, event, activity, business, or event is
searched to determine whether there is an investigative file associated
with the subject. This is called a "main file search" and differs from
The NNCP search.
Request records online, by mail, or fax
Request records on yourself
For general
information about the FBI, check out website at
http://www.fbi.gov. See a list of
FBI Field offices or a list of
FBI Books. |
