Facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing body | FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division (Identity History Summary) |
| Certificate | FBI Identity History Summary. The Washington DC and Los Angeles posts name the FBI check; New York accepts one "issued by State or FBI". |
| How to order | Request it from the FBI, directly or through an FBI-approved channeler, and send fingerprints. An electronic request is faster than a mailed one. |
| Fee | USD 18 from the FBI. Fingerprinting and channeler fees vary. |
| Time | Check with the FBI. We could not confirm the current time, and the FBI does not expedite. |
| Apostille | The US posts we read do not ask for an apostille. Only the US State Department can apostille an FBI result (USD 20 per document). Do not order one unless your post asks. |
| Translation | An English-language FBI result needs no translation. |
| Thai embassy limit | The Thai embassy in Washington DC and the consulate in Los Angeles ask for a certificate issued within 3 months. Check the page of your own consulate. |
Find your post first. The list of states for each US post is on the embassies hub.
Facts at a glance
| Item | Washington DC | Los Angeles | New York | Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | FBI certificate | FBI certificate | "Issued by State or FBI" | See the Chicago page |
| Maximum age | 3 months | 3 months | Not stated | Not stated |
| Residence proof | Valid US visa or permanent resident card | Driving licence, valid US visa or permanent resident card | State ID, driving licence, bill, lease or bank statement | See the Chicago page |
| DTV fee | USD 400 (5-year visa) | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Processing | Not stated | Not stated | 30 to 45 business days | Not stated |
Sources: the Washington DC page (updated 10 Sep 2026), the Los Angeles DTV page and the New York visa page.
Why your post matters in the US
The US has four Thai posts with different rules. A state police check can work in New York and fail in Washington DC or Los Angeles. Washington DC also lets children under 16 use the main sponsor's FBI certificate. We did not find that rule at the other posts.
The Washington DC page lists a "document indicating current location" as well as proof of permanent residence. Ask the embassy which one the e-Visa form needs.
How to order the FBI check, step by step
- Prepare your other documents first. Bank statements for the last 3 months and your residence proof. The FBI result should be the last item, so that it is recent when you submit.
- Request an Identity History Summary from the FBI. It is based on fingerprints.
- Choose the route. The FBI says an electronic request is faster than a mailed one. An FBI-approved channeler can send the request electronically for you.
- Give your fingerprints at a provider, or through the channeler.
- Pay the FBI fee, and any provider or channeler fee.
- Receive the result and check it. Name and date of birth must match your passport. Note the issue date.
- Submit the DTV on thaievisa.go.th within 3 months of the issue date, if your post is Washington DC or Los Angeles.
Timeline plan
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| About 3 months before you submit | Start the 3-month bank statement period |
| When statements and residence proof are nearly ready | Request the FBI check, electronically if you can |
| When the result arrives | Count 3 months from its issue date |
| Before the 3 months end | Upload the file and pay on thaievisa.go.th |
| New York applicants | Allow 30 to 45 business days for processing after you submit |
Costs to plan for
| Item | Amount | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTV at Washington DC | USD 400 | Washington DC DTV page, 10 Sep 2026 | Confirmed |
| FBI Identity History Summary[6] | Shown by the FBI when you apply | FBI | Not confirmed |
| Fingerprinting | Set by the provider | None | Varies |
| Channeler (optional) | Set by the channeler | None | Varies |
| State Department authentication, if needed | Shown by the State Department | State Department | Not confirmed |
Apostille and translation
The US posts we read do not ask for an apostille on the FBI result. Only the State Department can apostille an FBI result. Thailand joins the Apostille Convention on 28 February 2027, so a US apostille may not be enough for use in Thailand before that date. Do not order one unless your post asks.
The FBI result is in English. Washington DC's translation rule covers documents issued outside the US and Thailand, not an English FBI result. The general rules are on the police clearance hub.
Common mistakes
- Using a state police check at Washington DC or Los Angeles. Those pages name the FBI.
- A result older than 3 months on the day you submit.
- Applying to the wrong post for your state.
- No US visa or permanent resident card when the post asks for permanent residence proof.
- Mailing the FBI request when time is short. The FBI says electronic requests are faster.
Before you apply
- You know which of the four posts covers your state.
- Your certificate is the type that post names: FBI, or State or FBI at New York.
- It is less than 3 months old on the day you submit (Washington DC and Los Angeles).
- Your residence proof is one the post lists.
- Children under 16 using a parent's FBI certificate apply through Washington DC, or you asked your post.
Want a second look at the whole file? Use the DTV pre-check. The embassy makes the decision.
Not confirmed yet
No official page we read states these points. Ask your embassy before you pay or submit.
- The FBI fee and processing time. USD 18 is quoted for the FBI, but not confirmed on the FBI page.
- The State Department authentication fee and times (USD 20, about 5 weeks by mail, 7 business days walk-in, are quoted but not confirmed on the State Department page).
- The Chicago DTV page and its certificate rule.
- The maximum age at New York.
- Which document the e-Visa form needs at Washington DC: current location or permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an FBI check or a state police check for the DTV?
Washington DC and Los Angeles name the FBI certificate. New York accepts a certificate "issued by State or FBI". Check which post covers your state.
How old can the FBI check be?
3 months at Washington DC and Los Angeles. New York and Chicago do not state an age on the pages we read; submit within 3 months to be safe.
How do I get an FBI check faster?
The FBI says an electronic request is processed faster than a mailed one. An FBI-approved channeler can submit electronically.
Do I need an apostille on the FBI check?
The US posts we read do not ask for one. Only the State Department can apostille an FBI result. Thailand joins the Apostille Convention on 28 February 2027.
Can my children use my FBI check?
Washington DC lets children under 16 use the main sponsor's FBI certificate. We did not find this rule at the other posts.
How much is the DTV fee in the US?
Washington DC states USD 400 for the 5-year DTV.
Sources
- washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/dtv-visa (read 22 Oct 2026)FBI certificate issued within 3 months; permanent residence proof (valid US visa or permanent resident card); fee USD 400, 5-year validity; minors under 16 may use main sponsor's FBI certificate; foreign documents need certified English translation; page updated 10 Sep 2026
- thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/dtv-visa (read 22 Oct 2026)Los Angeles: FBI certificate issued within 3 months; residence proof list incl. driving licence; 3 months of bank statements
- newyork.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-visa-information (read 22 Oct 2026)New York: criminal record certificate 'issued by State or FBI'; processing 30-45 business days
- washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-information (read 22 Oct 2026)States covered by Washington DC, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago posts
- travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/requesting-authentication-services.html (read 22 Oct 2026)State Department authentication: USD 20 per document; mail about 5 weeks; walk-in 7 business days (seen in search results; the page did not load)
- fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks (read 22 Oct 2026)FBI Identity History Summary: fingerprint-based; electronic requests faster than mail; FBI-approved channelers; only the State Department can apostille FBI results; fee USD 18 (seen in search results; the page did not load)
- hcch.net/en/news-archive/details/ (read 22 Oct 2026)Thailand deposited accession 30 Jun 2026; Apostille Convention in force for Thailand 28 Feb 2027
Reviewed by the Thai Visa Pre-Check team
We check documents; we are not a law firm and not the Thai government. We read each embassy page named in the sources on the date shown.
We sell a document check. We do not apply for you, and only the embassy decides your visa.
- Last checked
- First published
What changed
- first published. Rules by post in one table, a step-by-step FBI order plan and a cost table. The FBI fee moved out of the summary into this list. The state list now lives on the embassies hub.
Found an error? Write to support@tdac.info.