Criminal Background Check Apostille in London, CA

How to Legalize Your Criminal Background Check from London

Residents of London often require Hague authentication on a Criminal Background Check for international government requirements. Most people are surprised by how many steps are involved.

Unlike a standard notary stamp, these documents must go to the right government authority. They have to be submitted to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento.

Residents of London no longer need to travel to Sacramento. Our courier team hand-deliver your Criminal Background Check to the California Secretary of State and have it back to you in 3 to 7 business days. Same-week service available for urgent deadlines.

What is an Apostille?

The Hague Apostille Convention now counts 124 member countries — spanning all EU member states, most of Latin America, and key expat destinations worldwide. If you are applying for a foreign residency visa, a work permit, or citizenship documentation, an apostille on your Criminal Background Check is almost certainly a requirement. The Global Apostille Network covers London residents for all 124 member countries.

You will need a Criminal Background Check apostille whenever a foreign authority requests certified US public documents. Typical use cases include immigration proceedings, overseas job offers, foreign university admissions, and cross-border legal matters. Since your Criminal Background Check was issued in California, your Criminal Background Check apostille must come from the California Secretary of State in Sacramento, not from any county or municipal office.

Many people in London confuse an apostille with a notarization. They are fundamentally different things. A notary stamp simply confirms the identity of the signer. It has no standing outside the United States. An apostille, by contrast, is a specific international certificate accepted in all Hague Convention member countries confirming the issuing authority's identity and legitimacy.

State vs. Federal Apostille: Which Applies to Your Criminal Background Check?

Figuring out if your Criminal Background Check goes to Sacramento or DC is usually straightforward. Ask yourself: which government agency originally issued it? State vital records — birth, death, marriage, divorce — come from the California Secretary of State in Sacramento. FBI Background Checks and federal agency records come from federal agencies and must go to the US Department of State in Washington D.C.

Without a courier, the process from London can take 3 to 6 weeks round trip. Our courier completes the process in under a week by hand-delivering your Criminal Background Check to the correct government office and picking up the apostille same-day or next-day.

The reason for this division comes down to constitutional jurisdiction. The California Secretary of State in Sacramento can only certify documents issued by that state's own agencies. It has no jurisdiction over documents from the FBI, DHS, or other federal offices. Apostilles for federal records must come from the US Department of State.

Why a Local Notary in London Cannot Apostille Your Document

One nuance worth noting: a local notarization can be a precursor to the apostille process. Many document types must be notarized first. Diplomas, affidavits, powers of attorney, and some corporate documents often must be notarized before being submitted to the California Secretary of State. For these documents, a London notary handles step one and the California Secretary of State in Sacramento handles step two.

In short: notaries, county clerks, and local offices are not authorized to grant the Hague Apostille certificate. Only the California Secretary of State in Sacramento can apostille state-issued documents. Attempting to use local offices will cause unnecessary delay. The correct path from London is direct submission to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento, which our team manages for you.

People across California often expect they can obtain Hague legalization at a local notary office in London. This assumption is wrong. A local notary can only witness signatures and verify identity. They are not permitted to attach an apostille certificate — that authority belongs exclusively to.

The Correct Authority: California Secretary of State in Sacramento

The California Secretary of State in Sacramento handles all Hague legalization for documents originating from California courts, vital records offices, and state agencies. Documents covered include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage and divorce records, court documents, corporate filings, and educational records issued by California institutions. Federally issued documents go to a different office the US Department of State in Washington D.C..

Some London residents try to process apostilles themselves via postal mail to Sacramento. This works in principle, the downsides include slow turnaround and limited visibility. Mail-in submissions typically require 4 to 8 weeks from London and back. Our runner-based service completes the round trip far faster.

Before submitting to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento, certain requirements must be met. Your Criminal Background Check must bear an authentic original seal. Photocopies are not accepted. If your Criminal Background Check came from a local government office, it might require an additional certification step before the California Secretary of State will accept it. We checks every document before submission to ensure it meets the California Secretary of State's requirements.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your Criminal Background Check Apostilled from London

When your document is properly prepared, it should be sent to the correct government authority. Direct mail adds 1 to 2 weeks of round-trip transit from London. A physical runner hand-delivers the office and collects the completed apostille within 24 to 48 hours, cutting your total turnaround to 2 to 5 business days.

When the California Secretary of State apostilles your Criminal Background Check, the document is complete. Our courier immediately ships it back to your London address via tracked, insured FedEx or UPS shipment. From your door in London and back, for our standard service, is 3 to 7 business days.

Getting a Criminal Background Check apostilled involves a defined process. Step one: ensure your Criminal Background Check is in its original, certified form. Step two: check that it has an official seal and signature from the issuing authority. Step three: submit it to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento with the required state fee of $20. Step four: collect the completed apostille — ready for international submission.

How Long Does a Criminal Background Check Apostille Take from London?

For time-sensitive requests — like a visa application deadline or an immigration hearing — beginning the process as soon as you know you need it is strongly recommended. We recommend allowing 2 to 4 weeks lead time for postal submission and at least 5 to 7 business days for courier service. Expedited processing is sometimes possible on shorter notice depending on the California Secretary of State's current capacity.

Apostille wait times are typically longer during Q1 and Q2 when immigration and visa application activity peaks. In high-volume seasons, the California Secretary of State in Sacramento may add 2 to 4 weeks to normal processing times. Submitting in fall or winter when your timeline allows can reduce your wait.

Using a physical runner service significantly cut turnaround for London residents. By physically delivering documents to the correct government office rather than mailing them, government processing happens in 24 to 48 hours. Including shipping from London to the California Secretary of State and back, total turnaround is 3 to 7 business days — compared to the 4 to 8 week postal alternative.

What to Include with Your Criminal Background Check Apostille Submission

The California Secretary of State in Sacramento requires the original document or a certified copy. Uncertified photocopies or digital prints are not accepted. If your original Criminal Background Check was lost, you will need to request a new certified copy from the issuing agency before the apostille process can begin. For documents from California agencies, the issuing state or county office can provide certified copies.

For London clients using our courier service, the steps are straightforward: package your original Criminal Background Check securely, include a note with your name and any special instructions, and send it to our processing hub via FedEx or UPS. Our team takes care of the intake review, fee payment to the California Secretary of State, physical delivery, and return shipment.

When apostilling more than one document, every document requires its own apostille certificate and a separate $20 fee. Each document must have its own certificate. We handle multi-document packages and ensures each is submitted and tracked separately.

Common Apostille Mistakes London Residents Make

The single most expensive apostille error is sending your document to the wrong government authority. People in California sometimes mail federal records to their state Secretary of State. Either way, the documents come back with a rejection notice. This adds 2 to 4 weeks — the time lost in transit to and from the wrong authority — before you are even back to square one.

Sending original documents through the US Postal Service without a tracking number is something we strongly advise against. Uninsured postal shipments are vulnerable to loss with no recourse. Original government-issued documents are difficult or expensive to replace. We use FedEx with full insurance and tracking for maximum protection from the moment we receive your document to its return to London.

Submitting a photocopy instead of the original document is a common rejection reason. The California Secretary of State in Sacramento requires the original document or a properly certified copy. Sending a photocopy will be rejected without processing. Request a new certified copy before submitting your documents.

Shipping Your Criminal Background Check from London — What to Know

Return shipping is included in our flat-rate service fee. After the California Secretary of State in Sacramento attaches the apostille, our courier ships your Criminal Background Check back to London via FedEx with priority shipping with a tracking number sent to your email. Most return shipments take 1 to 3 business days depending on destination. Overnight return shipping is available on request.

Document insurance during the apostille process is standard in our service. All documents we process is insured for full replacement value during transit. If an issue arises, we handle it on your behalf — whether that means replacement documentation from the issuing agency or reshipment. We ensure is that you always receive your apostilled document back exactly as submitted.

If you are an expat in needing a US Criminal Background Check apostilled, you can still use our service. Send your Criminal Background Check internationally via FedEx International Priority or DHL Express. These carriers provide tracked, insured international shipping and document shipments typically clear customs without issues. The apostilled Criminal Background Check is returned to your international address via FedEx or DHL.

After the Apostille: Using Your Criminal Background Check Abroad

Something many London residents overlook after apostilling is how long your apostilled Criminal Background Check remains valid. The apostille certificate itself does not expire — but the receiving country may require that the apostilled document was issued recently. Federal criminal documents, for example, must often be dated within 6 months of consulate submission. Build this into your timeline by apostilling as close to your consulate appointment as possible.

When your apostilled Criminal Background Check is needed for commercial purposes, the next steps after apostilling vary from individual visa applications. Companies using an apostilled Criminal Background Check for overseas legal and regulatory purposes may additionally need country-specific additional certification steps. For non-Hague countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE pre-2024, and China, the apostille does not satisfy authentication requirements — embassy legalization is required instead.

After getting your Criminal Background Check back with the apostille attached, review the apostille certificate before submitting it abroad. Check that: the apostille is physically attached to the original document, your name and document details appear correctly on the apostille, and the issuing authority's name and date are present and correct. Errors in apostille certificates are rare but are best identified before your consulate appointment.

Why London Residents Use Our Apostille Courier Service

Residents of London choose our courier service because: speed. Going it alone by postal mail takes 4 to 8 weeks on average. Our physical runner walks your document directly into the government office, bypassing the postal queue, and brings your apostilled document back to you in under a week. When timing is critical, the time saved is not marginal — it is the difference between making or missing the deadline.

Corporate and legal clients in California who frequently require Criminal Background Checks apostilled for cross-border use, we provide volume processing and priority queue placement. Law firms, notary offices, and international businesses regularly submit multiple apostille requests. Our team handles high-volume orders without delays and provides a single point of contact for all submissions. Repeat customers in London enjoy faster processing and dedicated support.

Every Criminal Background Check we process are shipped via FedEx in both directions: from your door to our processing center, from our hub to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento, and back to London. Every shipment carries insurance for the full document replacement value. In the unlikely event of any problem, we handle it end to end. Irreplaceable original Criminal Background Checks deserve this level of care.

Not sure what an apostille is? Read our complete guide.