FBI Background Check Apostille in California
In California, FBI Background Check apostilles are handled exclusively by the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. The state fee is $20 per document. Select your city below to see local courier options and processing times.
California Apostille Requirements
- Authority: US Department of State in Washington D.C.
- Office Location: Washington D.C.
- State Fee: $20
- Important Rule: Birth certificates must be certified by the County Clerk before apostille.
Select your city to view local apostille processing options and courier times.
What Is a FBI Background Check Apostille?
An apostille is a standardized government certification created under the Convention of 5 October 1961. Unlike standard document certification, an apostille is valid in over 120 countries worldwide — meaning your FBI Background Check is recognized by international authorities without additional authentication. If you are in California, California, obtaining this certification goes through the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C..
Something many California residents overlook is that an apostille is not a translation. The majority of Hague member countries also need a notarized translation as well as the apostille. Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and the UAE typically require both the apostille and a certified translation. Ask us about comprehensive apostille-plus-translation packages.
The Hague Apostille Convention replaced a previously complex chain of certifications that existed before 1961. Previously, getting a US document recognized abroad involved multiple rounds of authentication at different government levels followed by embassy stamps. The apostille replaced this with one standardized certificate issued by one designated authority. For FBI Background Checks issued in California, the designated office is the US Department of State in Washington D.C..
California: State vs Federal Authority
When timelines are tight, same-day processing is available in many cases. The US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. offer walk-in or expedited processing. Our team uses these expedited tracks by physically appearing at the office, bypassing the mail queue entirely.
The single most important thing to know about getting a FBI Background Check apostilled is knowing which government authority processes your specific document type. In the US, there are two completely separate authentication tracks: state and federal. Documents issued by California, including FBI Background Checks go to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. Federally issued records, like FBI Identity History Summaries and federal agency documents, must go to the federal authentication office in DC.
For California-issued records, the apostille can only be issued by 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 within 1 to 4 weeks depending on current volume.
Why Local Offices Cannot Help
Beyond notaries, county clerks, municipal offices, and city government offices in CA also cannot issue apostilles. Even a trip to the California city hall, county courthouse, or register of deeds would not produce an apostille. The sole authority in California that can attach the Hague certificate for state documents is the US Department of State in Washington D.C..
For California residents who need a FBI Background Check apostilled urgently, relying on postal mail to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. is risky. A courier-assisted submission reduces turnaround from weeks to days. Our team serves all cities in California with full FedEx tracking and insurance on every submission.
First-time applicants in California often expect they can get an apostille at a local UPS Store or notary. Unfortunately, this is not how it works. A notary public is authorized only to witness signatures and administer oaths. They cannot issue an apostille certificate — that authority belongs exclusively to.
The California Apostille Authority
When the US Department of State in Washington D.C. receives your FBI Background Check, an authorized state officer verifies the seals and signatures and checks that signatures are from known, authorized officials. Once verified, the apostille is affixed as a separate certificate appended to your document. The apostilled document is then returned by mail. Our courier picks it up within 24 hours.
The US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. is accessible for walk-in and mail-in submissions during standard business hours. Processing times without expedited service generally range from 5 business days to 4 weeks depending on submission backlog. If you are in California and need it faster, a physical courier dramatically cuts the wait.
Before your document can be submitted to the US Department of State in Washington D.C.: some documents require prior notarization. Diplomas, powers of attorney, and affidavits often must be notarized before the US Department of State in Washington D.C. will apostille them. We advises you on any pre-apostille requirements 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 California
Getting an apostille on your FBI Background Check requires a defined process. First: ensure your FBI Background Check is in its original, certified form. Step two: verify the document carries an authentic official seal. Step three: send it to the correct authority along with the applicable state fee. Fourth: collect the completed apostille — ready for international submission.
One of the most overlooked steps is ensuring the document is not expired. Federal background checks, for example, are typically required to be dated within 6 months at the time of submission to the foreign authority. If your FBI Background Check is outdated, a new document must be requested before apostilling. Our team verifies document currency as part of our intake process to flag any potential rejections early.
Depending on your document type 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 before the US Department of State in Washington D.C. will accept it. Our service manages the full notarization and apostille process so there are no surprises at the US Department of State in Washington D.C..
How Long Does a FBI Background Check Apostille Take in California?
Tracking your apostille is one of the most valued aspects of a physical courier over postal mail. Our service includes real-time tracking at each step: pickup from your California address, receipt by our team, submission to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C., apostille issuance notification, and dispatch of the return shipment to California. This level of visibility is not possible with direct mail.
Turnaround for a FBI Background Check apostille vary depending on the submission method and current government backlog. Mail-in submissions from California to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. typically take 3 to 6 weeks round trip — accounting for shipping each way plus processing. During peak periods, such as spring and summer immigration 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.. Many US Department of State in Washington D.C. offices offer same-day service for walk-in submissions. Our runner uses this option wherever available to get California clients their apostilles in 2 to 5 business days.
What to Include With Your Submission
The US Department of State in Washington D.C.'s fee of $20 must accompany your submission. Accepted payment methods vary by state but typically include personal check, money order, or credit card for online portals. We pays the US Department of State in Washington D.C. fee as part of the service so the submission is never rejected for payment reasons.
An easy-to-miss detail: if your FBI Background Check was issued in a language other than English, some US Department of State in Washington D.C. offices may require a certified English translation before apostilling. In other cases, the US Department of State in Washington D.C. apostilles the foreign-language document as-is and translation is handled separately after the apostille. We advise you on this when you place your order.
Before sending your document to the US Department of State in Washington D.C., ensure you have: your original FBI Background Check or an official certified copy, any required notarization, a completed submission form if required, payment for the state fee of $20, and a prepaid return envelope or shipping label. Leaving out any item will result in your documents being returned unprocessed.
Common Apostille Mistakes to Avoid
Sending original documents through the US Postal Service without a tracking number is a significant risk. Documents sent by uninsured mail can be lost, delayed, or damaged. Original government-issued documents are sometimes time-consuming and costly to replace. We ship all documents via FedEx for complete end-to-end protection.
Mailing an uncertified copy instead of the original document is a frequent cause of delays at the US Department of State in Washington D.C.. 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 rejected without processing. Request a new certified copy before submitting your documents.
Forgetting to include return shipping is an easily preventable error that delays apostille returns. 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 completed apostille could wait weeks to reach you. Our service includes return shipping — you never have to worry about return logistics.
Get Your FBI Background Check Apostilled in California
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.
Order NowFrequently Asked Questions — FBI Background Check Apostille in California
Why can't I apostille my FBI Background Check through my state Secretary of State?
FBI Background Checks are issued by a federal agency — the US Department of Justice — not by any state government. State Secretaries of State can only apostille documents that originated within their own state. Federal documents must be authenticated by the US Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington D.C., regardless of which state you live in.
How long does a federal FBI Background Check apostille take from California?
Standard mail-in processing at the US Department of State typically takes 6 to 11 weeks. A physical courier who walks documents directly into the Office of Authentications in Washington D.C. reduces turnaround to 2 to 5 business days — critical when you have a visa appointment or consulate deadline.
Do I need a certified translation after getting the apostille on my FBI Background Check?
The apostille certifies the document's authenticity but does not translate it. Many countries — including Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and the UAE — require a sworn or certified translation in addition to the apostille before a foreign authority will accept the document. We offer comprehensive apostille-plus-translation packages.
What is the difference between an FBI Background Check and a state criminal background check for apostille purposes?
An FBI Identity History Summary is a federally issued document and must be apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington D.C. A state-issued criminal background check from California is apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. Many countries specifically require the federal FBI check rather than a state record — confirm the requirement with your consulate before ordering.