FBI Background Check Apostille — All 50 States
Thousands of times a year, US citizens and residents need their FBI Background Check apostilled for overseas use in immigration, employment, and legal proceedings. This certification certifies that the document's seals and signatures are from legitimate authorized officials. Without this certification, overseas authorities have no treaty obligation to recognize your FBI Background Check regardless of how genuine it is.
Find FBI Background Check Apostille Requirements by State
What Is a FBI Background Check Apostille?
Getting your FBI Background Check apostilled is increasingly requested as international mobility increases. Overseas government agencies have specific rules about the form in which US records must be submitted. The Hague certificate is the required form of US document authentication that satisfies these requirements. A FBI Background Check without an apostille does not meet international authentication standards.
Most applicants assume that a notarization is sufficient for international use. This assumption is incorrect. A notary stamp simply witnesses a signature at the local level. It carries no international legal weight. A FBI Background Check apostille, by contrast, is an internationally binding certificate that consulates and immigration authorities must recognize. The apostille is the step that converts a US-issued FBI Background Check into one accepted in any of the 124 Hague member countries.
Many foreign authorities have rules about a recency window for accepted apostilles. Federal background documents, in particular, are commonly required to be dated within 6 months. Birth certificates and marriage records generally have no expiration on the apostille itself, but individual country requirements vary. We confirm the specific recency window for your destination when you place your order.
Which US Authority Apostilles Your Document?
The most important aspect of getting your FBI Background Check apostilled is determining which government office is authorized to apostille it. In the United States, there are two distinct apostille pathways: state-issued documents go to the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Federally issued records — like the FBI Background Check — must go to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. Routing your document incorrectly adds weeks of delay before you can resubmit.
Our service handles both the state and federal apostille tracks. When you submit a document to us, we reviews it and identifies exactly which government office has jurisdiction. This eliminates the risk of misdirecting your document. We have runners physically at both the federal authentication office in DC and Secretary of State offices nationwide.
Why there are two separate apostille tracks reflects the federal structure of the United States. A state Secretary of State can only authenticate documents that originated within that state. It has no authority over records issued by federal agencies. That authority falls under the US Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington D.C.
Why Local Offices Cannot Help
People unfamiliar with the process wonder whether online apostille services are a legitimate option. The United States does not currently issue electronic apostilles for most document types. Apostilles for US documents must be physical paper certificates affixed to the original by the issuing authority. Any website offering an online-only apostille for US documents is not issuing a legally valid Hague certificate.
Many people first try local document services. Unfortunately, none of these options can help with apostille certification. A notary public is authorized by the state to witness signatures and verify identity. Notaries are not authorized to issue Hague certificates. The legal authority to issue an apostille is vested exclusively in designated government offices only.
Because apostilles require physical documents means you cannot email or fax a document for apostille. The actual original document must travel to the government office. This is why turnaround time is measured in weeks for postal routes and days for courier services. The only variable you control is how the document reaches the apostille office: couriers eliminate the postal transit time entirely.
Step-by-Step: Getting Your FBI Background Check Apostilled
The apostille process requires actual physical document submission. You need to provide the original to the government authority. The authority examines the seals and signatures and attaches the apostille certificate as a cover page or attachment. Once completed, the document is sent back. Since this is a physical process, turnaround depends on how quickly the authority processes your submission.
The complete timeline for getting your document apostilled factors in: obtaining the correct version of your document, pre-submission preparation if needed, courier transit to the authority, government processing time, and return delivery. Via postal mail, this full cycle takes 3 to 8 weeks for state documents. With a physical courier, the timeline compresses to under a week from the day you ship us your document.
Getting your FBI Background Check apostilled involves a clear sequence of steps. First: ensure you have the right form of the document — the original or a properly certified copy. Step two: check if pre-apostille notarization is required for your document type. Step three: route to the right government office — state Secretary of State or US Department of State based on the document's origin. Finally: receive the apostilled document and send it where it needs to go.
Processing Times and Turnaround
Something many applicants miss is apostilled document validity windows. Many foreign authorities require that apostilled documents be dated within a specific recency window. FBI Background Checks and criminal record documents, in particular, are typically required to be no older than 6 months of the consulate submission date. If your FBI Background Check is past the validity window, you will need to obtain and apostille a fresh copy. We confirm destination-country validity requirements when you contact us.
Multiple variables influence your apostille turnaround: the current backlog at the issuing authority, any pre-processing steps required, shipping time in each direction, and whether you are using postal mail or a courier. We provide an accurate expected turnaround reflecting current backlogs when you place your order. When timing is critical — like a visa appointment or consulate date — we prioritize accordingly.
The quickest path to getting your document apostilled involves a courier who physically delivers to the authority. The relevant government authorities offer same-day service for walk-in submissions. Our courier uses this option where available to get clients their apostilles in 2 to 5 business days. When you have a firm deadline, reach out with your timeline so we can advise on the fastest realistic option.
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Apostille
The number one apostille error is routing the document to the incorrect office. A state-issued FBI Background Check mailed to the federal office will be returned unprocessed. Federal documents sent to a Secretary of State meet the same fate. Either way, the transit time lost — typically 2 to 4 weeks — delays your timeline and forces you to start the submission over.
Sending original documents without insurance or tracking is a significant risk. Government-issued originals can be lost, delayed, or damaged when sent by uninsured postal mail. Original apostillable documents are sometimes impossible or expensive to replace if lost. All shipments in our network are insured for full replacement value and shipped via FedEx.
Including the wrong fee is a surprisingly common reason submissions are rejected. Both state and federal apostille offices charge fees per apostille document. Secretary of State fees differ but are generally $5 to $25 per apostille. Underpaying or submitting an incorrect payment form results in rejection. Our service handles all fee payments on your behalf so this type of delay cannot happen.
Get Your FBI Background Check Apostilled
Getting your FBI Background Check apostilled through our service is straightforward: mail your original document to us, and our team takes it from there. We physically deliver your document to the correct authority and ship the apostilled FBI Background Check back within under a week in most cases. No travel required. Expedited service available for urgent consulate appointments.
Order NowFrequently Asked Questions — FBI Background Check Apostille
Do I need a certified translation for your destination country after getting the apostille?
Most countries require a certified translation of your apostilled document before the receiving authority will accept it. your destination country is no exception — a sworn or certified translation is typically required after the apostille is attached. We offer comprehensive apostille-plus-translation packages for expats.
Can I get my FBI Background Check apostilled without flying back to the US from your destination country?
Yes. You do not need to return to the United States. Courier your original documents from your destination country to our US processing hub via FedEx or DHL. We handle the government submission and ship the apostilled documents directly back to your address in your destination country.
What US documents are most commonly apostilled for use in your destination country?
The most frequently apostilled US documents for your destination country include FBI Background Checks, Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Diplomas, and Powers of Attorney. FBI checks go to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. for apostille; all state-issued documents go to the Secretary of State of the issuing state. We route each document to the correct office.
How long is an apostilled FBI Background Check valid for submission in your destination country?
Validity periods vary by country and document type. FBI Background Checks are typically required to be dated within 6 months of consulate submission. Birth certificates and marriage records generally have no expiration for the apostille itself, but your destination country authorities may require documents issued within the last year. We confirm destination-country requirements at the time of your order.