FBI Channeler vs Direct FBI Submission: What’s the Difference?

FBI Channeler vs Direct FBI Submission is mostly about how your fingerprints and request get delivered to the FBI—not about getting a different “type” of FBI report.

The FBI still runs the search. A channeler pathway affects how fast and smoothly your request reaches the FBI — not whether the report is valid. Whether you submit through an approved channeler pathway or submit directly to the FBI yourself, the end product is the same: an FBI Identity History Summary (often called an “FBI background check” or “FBI rap sheet”). In most workflows, the report is still issued and delivered by the FBI, with results typically sent by the FBI via email.

FBI Channeler vs Direct FBI Submission: Quick Answer

• Channeler route: You work with a channel partner (like a fingerprinting provider) who submits your request through an FBI-approved channeler pathway. It’s usually faster and more guided, but the FBI still issues the same Identity History Summary.
• Direct FBI submission: You follow the FBI’s instructions yourself, which commonly means completing the FBI steps and mailing FD-258 fingerprint cards (unless the FBI’s current instructions provide another option). This route is typically slower because it adds mailing and manual intake.

Important Clarification: Clients Don’t “Go to the Channeler”

In real life, applicants usually don’t interact with a FBI channeler company the way they’d walk into a retail office. Instead, they work with a channel partner—a provider like Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan—who captures fingerprints correctly, helps prevent paperwork mistakes, and submits through the approved channeler workflow when appropriate.

So the decision most people are actually making is:

• Do I submit directly to the FBI myself (often by mailing ink cards or visiting USPS for electronic submission)?
• Or do I use a channel partner (like Anshin Mobile) to submit through a channeler pathway?

What Is an FBI Channeler (and What Is a Channel Partner)?

FBI-approved channelers are authorized entities that can transmit applicant information and fingerprints to the FBI through an approved process.

A channel partner is the front-end service provider you work with (often local) to get fingerprinted correctly and to complete the submission steps cleanly—especially if you’re not sure which fingerprinting method you need.

Key point: Using an FBI-approved channeler pathway does not mean you get a different report. The FBI Identity History Summary remains the same official FBI product.

What Is Direct FBI Submission?

Direct FBI submission means you follow the FBI’s process yourself, without using a channeler pathway or channel partner. Depending on the current FBI workflow and your situation, this typically involves:

• Completing the FBI request steps and required information fields correctly, and paying the FBI.
• Submitting fingerprints using FD-258 fingerprint cards (most commonly by mail, after finding a provider to fingerprint you) or by visiting USPS for electronic fingerprint submission (which is not a fingerprinting service) if directed by the FBI to do so.
• Waiting for processing that may take longer due to mailing time, manual intake, and correctable errors.

Does a Channeler Pathway Change the FBI Report or Acceptance?

No—the report is the same FBI Identity History Summary. A channeler pathway is simply a submission method. There is generally no “acceptance difference” because the end product is still the FBI’s report.

The only time the submission route matters is when your requesting agency’s written instructions explicitly require a specific method (for example, “submit directly to the FBI” or “ink cards required”). If the instructions are silent about the method, the deciding factor is usually speed, convenience, and avoiding preventable delays.

When Direct Submission (Mailed FD-258 Cards or Electronic Submission through the USPS) Is Usually the Right Fit

Direct submission is commonly chosen when:

• Your instructions explicitly say mail fingerprint cards or require FD-258 ink cards.
• You are directed to submit directly to the FBI through a mail-based process or by visiting USPS for electronic submission.
• You are outside the scope of an electronic/channeler-supported workflow for your specific request.

If you’re unsure whether you need Live Scan or FD-258 ink fingerprint cards, start here:

Live Scan vs FD-258 Ink Fingerprints: Which One Do I Need?

When a Channel Partner + Channeler Pathway Is Usually the Best Fit

A channel partner route is typically best when:

• You want a more streamlined process with fewer avoidable mistakes.
• You want someone with higher technical skills taking your fingerprints.
• You want the fastest practical turnaround and less “back-and-forth” risk.
• You want help confirming the correct fingerprinting method and submission pathway before you pay, mail, or submit anything.

If you’re specifically deciding between electronic submission and mailing FD-258 cards, see:

Electronic FBI Background Check vs FD-258 Fingerprint Cards: Key Differences

Where Fingerprinting Fits In (The Part That Actually Causes Delays)

No matter which route you choose, fingerprint quality is the make-or-break factor. Smudged ink, incomplete rolls, or missing demographic fields can delay the process.

If you need FD-258 cards, this page covers the basics and what to expect:

Fingerprint Cards (FD-258) Guide

And for a broader overview of options in LA:

Fingerprinting in Los Angeles: Live Scan & FD-258 Explained

Related: FBI Background Check Overview

If you want the plain-English overview of what an FBI Identity History Summary is, how people use it, and what to bring, start here:

FBI Background Check (Identity History Summary) Guide

FAQs

Is a “channeler FBI background check” the same as the FBI Identity History Summary?

Yes. The Identity History Summary is the official FBI report. A channeler pathway is simply one approved way to transmit the request and fingerprints to the FBI.

Will my report be rejected because it was obtained through a channeler pathway?

In typical cases, no—because the report is still the FBI Identity History Summary. The only time method matters is when your requesting agency’s written instructions require a specific submission method (for example, requiring mailed FD-258 cards or direct submission language).

Do I still receive the FBI report electronically?

Often, yes. Many workflows result in the FBI report being delivered electronically (commonly by email). The key point is that the FBI still issues the report; the channeler pathway is just the submission route.

When do I need to mail FD-258 fingerprint cards?

You typically mail FD-258 cards when your instructions or the applicable workflow is based on ink cards and mailing—especially in direct-submission scenarios.

Next Step

If your instructions are vague, the simplest way to avoid delays is to confirm the exact wording with your requesting agency and then match the fingerprinting method to that requirement.

Start here: Live Scan vs FD-258 Ink Fingerprints

Or read: FBI Channeler Background Check Guide