In many cases, the federal government will have the most detailed information about any aspect of an individual's life. This is why a FBI background check is so desirable to many people. The FBI maintains its own criminal database using fingerprint information to connect reports from all over the country and has it safeguarded through multiple levels of security to ensure that the information contained in these files is not compromised by outside sources.

The FBI background check information cannot be accessed by anyone that is not authorized by the FBI to view the information. The information contained within the records are often used to determine eligibility for a federal position, a law enforcement position, or to keep track of dangerous criminals. Individuals can request to view their own information by filling out a series of forms to prove their identity.

FBI background check information is generally only used by the FBI in the course of their investigations. Only FBI agents are allowed to enter the information or modify the information within the system, although if a person believes that there is something in their report that may be inaccurate they may request a copy of the report and have the mistake corrected. The average time for the report to be delivered from the FBI to your home is 16 - 18 weeks.