Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Electronic Identity History Summary – Police Certificates

Issue

The objective of this Operational Bulletin (OB) is to notify clients that they now have the option to request for an electronic Identity History Summary (IHS) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). These individuals would be able to use this electronic Identity History Summary (IHS) as a police certificate across all lines of business.

Background

It is worth mentioning that previously, the United States (US) offered the option to request for a police certificate from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) only via mail.

The Guidelines

With effect from July 04, 2018, officers of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will be able to accept electronically submitted Identity History Summaries (IHSs) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). These officers will be able to use these documents as tools for determining inadmissibility based on the provisions specified in section 36 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

However, the authorities require officers to continue accepting the previously available options for mailing in requests to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or using Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) approved channelers. It is worth highlighting that clients do not need to be in the United States (US) for using an electronic Identity History Summary (IHS). Nor will these individuals need to be permanent residents or citizens of the United States (US) for using the electronic Identity History Summary (IHS). The authorities permit all individuals to use the electronic Identity History Summary (IHS) method. This is regardless of their place of residence or citizenship.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)