FBI Background Check Apostille in Delaware

Delaware Apostille Requirements

• Authority: US Department of State in Washington D.C.
• Office Location: Washington D.C.
• State Fee: $30
• Important Rule: Expedited service available for an additional fee.

What Is a FBI Background Check Apostille?

An apostille is a form of international document authentication created under the Hague Convention of 1961. Unlike a local notary stamp, an apostille is recognized internationally — meaning your FBI Background Check is recognized by overseas institutions without further legalization. For residents of Delaware, obtaining this certification means submitting your document to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C..

An important point is that an apostille is not a translation. The majority of Hague member countries additionally ask for a sworn or certified translation in addition to the apostille. Most EU countries and many Middle Eastern authorities almost always require the apostille plus a sworn translation. Our service includes complete packages that cover both apostille and certified translation.

The Hague Apostille Convention streamlined the old multi-step embassy legalization process that was required before the Convention. Previously, getting a US document recognized abroad 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, the designated office is the US Department of State in Washington D.C..

Delaware: State vs Federal Authority

If you have a deadline, same-day processing is offered by our courier service. Some state offices offer walk-in or expedited processing. Our courier exploits walk-in submission options by submitting in person rather than by mail, getting you the fastest possible turnaround from Delaware.

The most critical thing to know about the apostille process for your document is determining which government authority handles your specific document type. In the United States, there are two parallel systems: state and federal-level. State-issued documents — like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and FBI Background Checks go to the state apostille office. Federally issued records, like FBI Identity History Summaries and federal agency documents, must go to the federal authentication office in DC.

For documents issued by Delaware government agencies, the apostille is only available from the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. In most cases, the document must carry an original official seal or notarization. The US Department of State in Washington D.C. verifies the document's origin and seal and attaches the apostille usually within 1 to 4 weeks.

Why Local Offices Cannot Help

It is also worth knowing, local government offices in Delaware are equally unable to apostille documents. Even a trip to the Delaware city hall, county courthouse, or register of deeds will not produce a Hague certificate. The only office in DE authorized to issue apostilles for state documents is the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C..

If you are working under a tight deadline, mail-in self-processing is rarely the right option. A courier-assisted submission is the only way to access same-day processing at the US Department of State in Washington D.C.. Our team handles Delaware-area pickups and submissions with complete end-to-end shipment tracking on every submission.

Many residents of Delaware initially assume they can obtain Hague legalization at a local UPS Store or notary. This assumption is wrong. A notary public is authorized only to witness signatures and administer oaths. They are not permitted to attach an apostille certificate — only the US Department of State in Washington D.C. can do this.

The Delaware Apostille Authority

Once your document arrives at the US Department of State in Washington D.C., an authorized state officer reviews the document and checks that signatures are from known, authorized officials. Once verified, the apostille is issued as a separate certificate appended to your document. The apostilled document is then mailed back to you. Our runner collects it same-day or next-day.

The US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. is typically open Monday through Friday. Processing times without expedited service typically run 1 to 3 weeks depending on seasonal demand. If you are in Delaware and need it faster, a physical courier can reduce processing time to 2 to 5 business days.

There is sometimes a step before apostille submission: it may need to be notarized or certified first. Educational records and private documents often must be notarized before the US Department of State in Washington D.C. will apostille them. Our team identifies whether any notarization is needed before submitting to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. so there are no delays from missing prerequisites.

How to Get Your FBI Background Check Apostilled in Delaware

Getting your FBI Background Check apostilled follows a defined process. First: confirm that your document is the original or a certified copy. Second: check that it has an official seal and signature from the issuing authority. Third: send it to the correct authority along with the applicable state fee. Step four: collect the completed apostille — ready for international submission.

Something many applicants miss is verifying that your document is current enough for the destination country. Federal background checks, for example, are typically required to be dated within 6 months at the time of consulate or visa submission. If your FBI Background Check is outdated, a new document must be requested before submission to the US Department of State in Washington D.C.. We check document dates as a standard step to avoid submitting documents that will be refused.

Some document types must be notarized before they can be apostilled. When your document is a private document — such as an affidavit, power of attorney, or diploma, a notarization is usually required by a licensed notary prior to submission to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. We handles this coordination so you never have to navigate this alone.

How Long Does a FBI Background Check Apostille Take in Delaware?

Tracking your apostille is a key advantage of a physical courier over postal mail. We provide status updates at every milestone: pickup from your Delaware address, receipt by our team, delivery to the government office, apostille issuance notification, and dispatch of the return shipment to Delaware. This end-to-end tracking is unavailable with standard postal submission.

Processing times for a FBI Background Check apostille vary depending on the submission method and current government backlog. Documents sent by postal mail from Delaware to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. typically take 4 to 8 weeks in total — including transit time, government processing, and return. At busy times, particularly during visa application seasons, backlogs can push timelines to 8 to 12 weeks.

If you need your FBI Background Check apostilled urgently, the quickest option is a runner that hand-delivers to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. The US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. offer same-day service for walk-in submissions. Our runner uses this option wherever available to get Delaware clients their apostilles within a business week.

What to Include With Your Submission

Payment for the state fee must be included. Forms of payment differ at each US Department of State in Washington D.C. but generally include money order, certified check, or online payment. Our courier service handles the fee payment so you never worry about wrong payment forms.

An easy-to-miss detail: for non-English documents, additional steps may be required depending on the US Department of State in Washington D.C.. Alternatively, the apostille is issued without requiring a translation and translation is handled separately after the apostille. Our team clarifies document-specific requirements when you submit your request.

When submitting your FBI Background Check for apostille, make sure you include: the original document or a certified copy, any required notarization, the US Department of State in Washington D.C.'s request form if applicable, correct fee payment for the state apostille, and a prepaid return envelope or shipping label. Missing any of these will delay your apostille.

Common Apostille Mistakes to Avoid

Sending original documents through standard postal mail without insurance is something we strongly advise against. Documents sent by uninsured mail can be lost, delayed, or damaged. 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 Delaware.

Mailing an uncertified copy instead of the original document is a common rejection reason. The US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. requires the original document or a properly certified copy. Submitting a scan or uncertified copy will be returned immediately. Request a new certified copy before submitting your documents.

Forgetting to include return shipping is a simple but common mistake. The US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. will not return your document without a prepaid return method. Without a return label, your apostilled document may sit uncollected for days. We handle return shipping as part of our flat-rate fee — you never have to worry about return logistics.

Get Your FBI Background Check Apostilled in Delaware

Our courier network physically delivers to the US Department of State in Washington D.C., typically returning your apostilled document in 2 to 5 business days. No need to visit any government office.

Frequently Asked Questions — FBI Background Check Apostille in Delaware