Please post your FBI request times.

[podkayne8]

Well they rec'd my fingerprints 6/23 and I got my reply today 8/6 - my fingerprints were rejected  I was so excited when I saw the envelope and now I am in tears at the thought of another 6-8 weeks. The reason was 'characteristics to low' I am not sure what that means exactly and I was so sure I wouldn't have any problems. I went to the company that the state has contracted to fingerprint their employees! wtf. Just crushed. We have everything else ready This whole is process is so frustrating and long and I feel so helpless.

Does anyone know if I can send in multiple fingerprints cards? I will go all over town if I have to to ensure I don't get rejected again.

[CharlieD10]

Yes, you can send in multiple cards.  You realise of course this means they will charge you for multiple tries if another set is rejected and they have to use a third.

Characteristics "too low" means the ridge detail on your prints wasn't clear enough, the machine could not read the loops and whorls well enough to form an identifiable pattern of enough "points" to check against their records.  (Clearly, I watch too much CSI and Forensic Files!)

[podkayne8]

In checking the FBI site regarding me needing to re-submit fingerprints I see they now have the option of using an FBI Approved Channeler...this looks like a much faster (though more expensive) option.

Does anyone know anything about this and if this is a valid option?

[Admirable]

How did you submit your fingerprints for FBI clearance?  I want this to be speedy!

Was it online?  Did you have to mail in your fingerprinting card even though you paid online.  

I have not submitted my police clearance for the U.S but I have sent in my CIC application since January.  I do think I can submit this at a later date. Right? I wouldn't want this to be the hold up of my PR application.

Would love feedback from you.

[cantor2537]

7-8 weeks

[Admirable]

7 to 8 weeks is not bad.....but 16 weeks....Geesh! That's super long. I hope mines take place in the 7 to 8 weeks bracket.

[Mehwish9]

I sent mine on May15, 2011 and received the clearence on July27, so almost 10 weeks.

[podkayne8]

They rec'd mine 8/13/11 - I still haven't rec'd the results so I sent an email inquiry and was told they would be mailed on 10/22/11. Just an update for anyone in this time frame I guess the waiting time seems to be about 10 weeks.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

[Admirable]

I'm still waiting on mines. I plan on calling them at the end of this month to find out the status.
 
Will keep you all posted.

[mapleleafs2011]

How long are these valid for? (Also how long are medical checks valid for.)

We haven't requested ours yet but I after seeing this thread we probably should of requested it right at the beginning. (We're almost done filling out our application now.)

Also, where should I mail it to?

The Canada immigration site says:

FBI, Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Attention: SCU, Mod D-2
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306
U.S.A.

Whereas the FBI site says:

FBI CJIS Division – Record Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

Also upon reading, it looks like lots of people are sending in their medical and FBI after they've applied? Are we allowed to do this? (As it takes a while.)

[Admirable]

I submitted my application with my medicals.
The fbi clearance can be submitted afterwards as this takes a while to obtain. It must be submitted within 3 mths of receipt from the fbi and it is valid for 1 year.
Medicals are also valid up to 1 year as well.

I used the 2nd address from the fbi website (record request).

[dream23]

sent fingerprints to FBI on Sept 20, credit card still not charged.

[Admirable]

 @  dream23

We are looking at a similar timeline. I sent mines on the 10th.

[dream23]

 @   dream23

We are looking at a similar timeline. I sent mines on the 10th.

thanks Admirable,
let's keep posting updates.

[mcmasters]

Once I figured out what the heck I was supposed to do, my FBI background check and fingerprinting went pretty smoothly.

I actually got two fingerprint cards sent to me from someone in the Buffalo FBI headquarters for free, after I called asking about the background check process.

Then I had to go to downtown Buffalo (where I live) to get fingerprinted by someone in the sheriff's office. I had to go during certain hours, which were pretty limited. I paid for the fingerprinting in cash. They were very specific about how I could pay. They mailed the fingerprints for me, but left me with the extra fingerprint card, just in case.

After that was done and I sent in my other information to the FBI, I think it only took 3 weeks or so until I got my return letter that I could mail off with my application. It was surprisingly fast, possibly because I live in the same city as an FBI headquarters.

I got my fingerprints done in February of this year (I remember because the first time I tried to go it was President's Day and everyone was working EXCEPT govt employees). It feels like sooo long ago. I also wondered if mine went through quickly because I'd already had an FBI background check in 2009 for a job, so I was already on file. ?

We mailed our complete application in March. The application was received in Buffalo March 31st.

Hope you find this helpful as far as understanding the fingerprinting and background check process!