Government Agency Profile

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Learn what Federal Bureau of Investigation does, where it fits in government, and which official services visitors may need.

The FBI is the federal government’s principal investigative bureau for many national-security and federal-crime matters. Its work includes counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cyber crime, violent crime, public corruption, civil rights, organized crime, white-collar crime, and weapons-of-mass-destruction threats.

The public usually meets the FBI through tips, field offices, most-wanted notices, victim assistance, public safety alerts, crime-data tools, FOIA requests, or support for local and state law enforcement. The FBI does not replace local police for ordinary local crimes, but it can investigate federal crimes and threats that cross jurisdictions, involve national security, or fall under federal law.

Federal investigations connect public safety, national security, evidence, and accountability.
TypeDepartment Bureau or Operating Component
Parent DepartmentDepartment of Justice
Top OfficialDirector of the FBI
Official Sitefbi.gov

What Federal Bureau of Investigation Does

Federal Bureau of Investigation is part of the federal government’Use the official website for current programs, forms, services, reports, leadership, and public contact information.

Public ServicesReport possible terrorism, cyber crime, public corruption, civil-rights violations, violent crime, or other federal crime information.
Data and RecordsFind FBI field offices, most-wanted notices, crime data, victim services, FOIA resources, and safety guidance.
Programs and OfficesLearn when a matter may involve federal jurisdiction, national security, or interstate activity.

How It Fits In Government

Parent DepartmentFederal Bureau of Investigation operates within Department of Justice and carries out a specialized part of that department’s public mission.
Public AccountabilityIts work may appear through official notices, regulations, reports, data systems, service portals, hearings, inspections, grants, enforcement actions, or public contact channels.
Where To VerifyUse the official agency website first for current forms, deadlines, leadership, program rules, contact information, and legal notices.
Public Service Guide

How visitors may use Federal Bureau of Investigation

This profile is designed to help visitors find practical government services, not just describe the agency in the abstract. Start with the official sources below, then use related public service links when a specific form, record, benefit, complaint, data tool, or office is needed.

Public Services Visitors May Need

FBI.govOpen official sourceSubmit a TipOpen official sourceMost WantedOpen official sourceField OfficesOpen official sourceHow We Can Help YouOpen official source

Learn More

Official records and updatesLook for current announcements, notices, rulemaking, public data, forms, and contact information directly from official sources.
Related servicesMany agency services connect to benefits, taxes, passports, safety, records, grants, complaints, inspections, research, or public information requests.
When to use this profileUse this page to understand what the agency does, then follow official links for applications, deadlines, eligibility rules, data, and legal text.