Criminal Background Check Apostille in Wyoming, DE

How to Legalize Your Criminal Background Check from Wyoming

Securing Hague certification for a Criminal Background Check issued in Delaware means working with the right state office. We service all cities in Delaware.

The Delaware Secretary of State in Dover is the only office in DE that can certify a Hague Apostille on your Criminal Background Check. Any other office will reject the document and send it back.

Residents of Wyoming no longer need to travel to Dover. Our courier team hand-deliver your Criminal Background Check to the Delaware 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 eliminated a previously complex chain of certifications that was standard before the Hague system. Previously, getting an American document accepted overseas involved notarization, state-level certification, federal certification, and then embassy legalization. The apostille replaced this with a single certificate issued by one designated authority. In Delaware, that authority is the Delaware Secretary of State in Dover.

Criminal Background Checks are among the most frequently apostilled documents in the United States. The reason Criminal Background Checks are routinely required for visa applications, residency permits, citizenship documentation, employment verification, and foreign legal proceedings. For residents of Wyoming, the Delaware Secretary of State in Dover is the correct office for Criminal Background Check apostilles.

The Hague Apostille Convention has over 120 signatory nations — spanning all EU member states, most of Latin America, and key expat destinations worldwide. If you are applying for any form of immigration, employment, or international study, Hague certification is a standard part of the application process. The Global Apostille Network handles Delaware-based orders regardless of destination country.

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

The most common apostille mistake is sending your Criminal Background Check to the wrong office. For example, if you mail a Criminal Background Check issued in Delaware to Washington D.C., it will be rejected and returned. Similarly, sending an FBI Background Check to a state Secretary of State office results in the same rejection. In both cases, the wasted transit time adds 2 to 4 weeks to your timeline.

When timelines are tight, rush processing may be available. Some state offices offer walk-in or expedited processing. Our team takes advantage of in-person processing by physically appearing at the office, getting you the fastest possible turnaround from Wyoming.

Our courier service manages both state and federal apostille submissions: state-level apostilles through the Delaware Secretary of State in Dover. When you place an order, we identify whether your Criminal Background Check is state or federal and route it to the right office. Wyoming-based clients never have to figure out which office handles their specific document type.

Why a Local Notary in Wyoming Cannot Apostille Your Document

That said: 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 typically require notarization as a first step. In this case, a Wyoming notary handles step one and the Delaware Secretary of State in Dover handles step two.

The Delaware Secretary of State in Dover is not a walk-in office open to the public without advance planning. In Delaware, mail-in submissions sent from Wyoming take several days of shipping in each direction before the Delaware Secretary of State even begins processing. Our runner service eliminates this transit time and can access same-day processing options unavailable through postal routes.

To understand why local notaries in Wyoming cannot issue apostilles relates to what a notary public can and cannot do. A notary is a state-commissioned official authorized solely to witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify copies. A notary is not a government authentication authority. Apostilles require the signing power of the Delaware Secretary of State — a power not delegated to notaries.

The Correct Authority: Delaware Secretary of State in Dover

When submitting your Criminal Background Check to the Delaware Secretary of State in Dover, certain requirements must be met. The document must carry an original official seal and signature. Photocopies are not accepted. If the document was issued by a county or local office, it may need to be re-certified at the state level before submission. We checks every document before submission to avoid first-attempt rejection.

Something Wyoming residents often ask is whether they can track their document during the apostille process. Mailing documents yourself, you lose visibility once the Delaware Secretary of State receives it. With our courier service, status notifications arrive at every stage: document receipt, drop-off at the office, completion, and outbound tracking back to your address.

For Criminal Background Checks issued in Delaware, the correct office is the Delaware Secretary of State. This is the only office in Delaware authorized to issue Hague Apostille certificates on Delaware-issued public documents. The Delaware Secretary of State is authorized to verify the seals and signatures of all Delaware public officials and is therefore the only entity capable of certifying their authenticity.

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

Once your Criminal Background Check is ready, it must be delivered to the Delaware Secretary of State in Dover. Direct mail adds 1 to 2 weeks of round-trip transit from Wyoming. Our courier hand-delivers the Delaware Secretary of State and collects the completed apostille within 24 to 48 hours, cutting your total turnaround to 2 to 5 business days.

A common question from Delaware residents is whether they can track their document throughout the process. Going the postal route, you lose visibility once the document arrives at the Delaware Secretary of State. Through our service, you receive updates at each stage: document receipt at our hub, drop-off, completion, and outbound tracking.

Before anything else, you must have your Criminal Background Check in the right form. For state records, you need a certified copy issued directly by the vital records office. In the case of your document, an original official seal is required — photocopies and scanned documents will be rejected.

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

Courier-assisted submissions shorten processing time for Wyoming residents. By physically delivering documents to the Delaware Secretary of State in Dover rather than mailing them, government processing happens in 24 to 48 hours. Combined with courier transit from Wyoming, total turnaround is 3 to 7 business days — versus the 4 to 8 week postal alternative.

Once the Delaware Secretary of State issues the apostille, your apostilled Criminal Background Check must travel back to Wyoming. The return transit typically takes 1 to 3 business days from Dover to Wyoming to the overall turnaround. We use FedEx Priority for all return shipments to ensure next-day or two-day delivery where available. Every package include full insurance and tracking.

Several factors can impact how long your Criminal Background Check apostille takes: whether your document is ready for submission, the current backlog at the Delaware Secretary of State, how long shipping from Wyoming to Dover takes, whether your document needs notarization first, and the availability of expedited options. Our team provides a realistic timeline estimate before you commit, so there are no surprises.

What to Include with Your Criminal Background Check Apostille Submission

The Delaware Secretary of State's fee of $30 must accompany your submission. Accepted payment methods vary by state but generally include personal check, money order, or credit card for online portals. Our courier service handles the fee payment so you never worry about wrong payment forms.

One detail that matters: for non-English documents, some Delaware Secretary of State offices may require a certified English translation before apostilling. Alternatively, the Delaware Secretary of State apostilles the foreign-language document as-is and translation is handled separately after the apostille. We advise you on this when you submit your request.

When submitting your Criminal Background Check for apostille, confirm you are sending: the original document or a certified copy, notarization if required for your document type, a completed submission form if required, correct fee payment for the state apostille, and a prepaid return envelope or shipping label. Leaving out any item will cause rejection.

Common Apostille Mistakes Wyoming Residents Make

Sending a scanned printout instead of the original document is a frequent cause of delays at the Delaware Secretary of State. The Delaware Secretary of State in Dover requires the original document or a properly certified copy. Sending a photocopy will be returned immediately. Request a new certified copy before starting the apostille process.

Forgetting to include return shipping is a simple but common mistake. The Delaware Secretary of State in Dover will not return your document without a prepaid return method. Without a prepaid return envelope, your completed apostille could wait weeks to reach you. We handle return shipping as part of our flat-rate fee — you never have to worry about return logistics.

A mistake that affects many Wyoming residents is starting too late. Many applicants mistakenly assume the process takes a few days. Via standard mail, total turnaround runs 4 to 8 weeks. Even with our courier service, allow at least 5 to 7 business days. Begin the process as soon as you know you need it.

Shipping Your Criminal Background Check from Wyoming — What to Know

If you are located outside the United States, 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 customs documentation is straightforward for government documents. The apostilled Criminal Background Check is returned to your address in via FedEx International Priority.

Processing time begins the day we receive your Criminal Background Check. From Wyoming typically takes 1 to 2 business days. Add 1 business day for intake review. Government processing takes 1 to 3 business days with our courier. The return trip from Dover to Wyoming takes another 1 to 2 business days. Full end-to-end from Wyoming: typically 4 to 8 business days.

Once you are ready to, courier your document to our processing center via FedEx or UPS with tracking. Pack the document in a protective, padded envelope to prevent bending or damage. Include a brief note with your contact details and the destination country for the apostille. Tracking from Wyoming typically takes 1 to 2 business days.

After the Apostille: Using Your Criminal Background Check Abroad

Once you have the apostille back from Wyoming, you are ready to file it with the foreign consulate, embassy, immigration authority, or employer. Different authorities have different submission procedures: some require in-person delivery, others accept mailed or digital submissions. Confirm the specific submission process with the receiving authority in advance to ensure your submission is accepted.

One detail worth understanding is that the Hague certificate certifies authenticity, not content accuracy. If there is an error in your Criminal Background Check itself — a misspelled name, wrong date, or factual inaccuracy — the apostille does not fix it. A consulate can still refuse an apostilled Criminal Background Check if the information inside is incorrect. Any corrections must go back to the issuing authority — not at the apostille stage.

After getting your Criminal Background Check back with the apostille attached, review the apostille certificate before sending it to the foreign authority. Verify that: the certificate is properly affixed, your name and document details appear correctly on the apostille, and the Delaware Secretary of State's seal and signature are on the certificate. Errors in apostille certificates are rare but are best identified before your consulate appointment.

Why Wyoming Residents Use Our Apostille Courier Service

In addition to faster turnaround, what sets our service apart is the pre-submission document review. Before we submit your Criminal Background Check, we review your Criminal Background Check for common issues that cause rejection: outdated records, improper certifications, missing official seals, and wrong-office routing. Catching these before submission saves days or weeks. Many document services skip this step and just forward documents to the government.

Wyoming residents who have used our service most frequently mention end-to-end visibility as one of the most valued features. Unlike standard postal submission, our service provides status notifications at each milestone: intake confirmation, delivery to the Delaware Secretary of State in Dover, government completion, and return shipment to Wyoming. You always know exactly where your Criminal Background Check is.

{Our service isfully US-based|Our team is entirely US-based}. We work directly with state Secretary of State offices across Delaware and the federal apostille office in DC — not through intermediaries. All certifications we secure is issued directly by the authorized government office with no third-party stamps or certifications added. The result is that your document carries only the official Hague certificate from the correct authority — which is all any foreign government will need.

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