Anyone who has lived in Portugal knows that the country can often be a bureaucratic nightmare and you should expect long waits. I have recently been reminded of this in my attempt to get my fingerprints taken for my FBI background check, which is required for applications for permanent residency and citizenship.
As a US citizen, the easiest way to get your FBI background check is to plan a trip to get your digital fingerprints taken at a participating US post office location in the US after you submit a request electronically directly to the FBI. You may also visit an FBI-approved Channeler.
If you are living in Portugal and not able to visit the US to get your fingerprints taken, there are two main options to get your fingerprints done in an official and professional manner: the Embassy of the United States of America in Lisbon or a more expensive but more convenient service called Globeia.
Option 1: The Embassy of the United States of America in Lisbon
Portugal only has one US embassy, and it is located at Av. das Forças Armadas 133C near Sete Rios train station. There is also a US consulate in Ponta Delgado, Azores, but it only handles specific services like passport appointments. Fingerprinting is not available.
How to Book Your Appointment
For US Citizens, getting your fingerprints taken at the Embassy of the United States of America in Lisbon is the most straightforward and official way to get your fingerprints taken. However, there are a few key points to remember. The first is that you need to book on this website. Secondly, and most importantly, if you want an appointment at the Lisbon, you will need to book it 20 days in advance. Currently, fingerprinting appointments are also only available on Wednesdays.
On the 20th day before your booking (usually on a Thursday, you can start booking online here from 1:30pm Lisbon time. As soon as appointments open, book your slot for 20 days later as soon as bookings open. All appointments get booked for the day within 5-10 minutes, and it will not be possible to get in touch with the office or book something later if someone cancels.
Practical Things to Know for your US Embassy Visit
Your fingerprints will be taken on two FD-258 FBI cards. These cards will be provided. Be sure to bring your passport and Portuguese resident card just in case. You will only be able to bring your phone and a bank card to make the €63 payment to get your fingerprints taken beyond security. Note: Some people think that they must bring cash, but the women who took my fingerprints in December 2025 had a machine and let me pay with my card in at the embassy.
You are responsible for mailing your FD-258 cards (be sure to mail both copies) along with an identity request summary and a credit card payment form to the FBI in the US.
Please consult the FBI website at the following link for more details.
Option 2: Globeia (Good for FBI, RCMP, and International Compliance)
Globeia Lisbon offers fingerprinting, apostille, and FBI identity history summary checks. The office is located in Amoreiras Square Building, Rua Carlos Alberto da Mota Pinto no. 17. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 11:00 am – 03:00 pm.
You will need to log in to Globeia to book an apartment and get pricing, but it is significantly more expensive compared to the US embassy to get your fingerprints due to the convenience. Trained technicians from Globeia will even come to your home, office, or coworking space to collect fingerprints. Globeia provides assistance with FBI background checks, apostilles, and RCMP Criminal Record Checks.
You can contact Globeia here if you have any questions.
Why I Chose the US Embassy in Lisbon
In the end, I ultimately chose the US Embassy for my fingerprinting services due to the lower costs and the fact that I lived in Lisbon, so it was quite convenient for me to reach. If you want to get fingerprinted at the US embassy in Lisbon, the most important thing is to obviously plan ahead. Once you do that, the process goes quite smoothly. It just takes two extra steps because you will have to mail the fingerprints to the FBI and get an apostille yourself. Globeia will take care of all three steps for you, but you will pay much more.
