FBI Background Check Apostille in Maryland
People in Maryland who need their FBI Background Check apostilled must submit it to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. Processing fees are $5 per apostille. Choose your city to find courier options.
Maryland Apostille Requirements
- Authority: US Department of State in Washington D.C.
- Office Location: Washington D.C.
- State Fee: $5
- Important Rule: County clerk certification needed for notarized docs.
Select your city to view local apostille processing options and courier times.
What Is a FBI Background Check Apostille?
An apostille is a type of international document authentication formalized by the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Unlike a local notary stamp, an apostille is recognized internationally — meaning your FBI Background Check is recognized by international authorities without additional authentication. If you are in Maryland, Maryland, obtaining this certification goes through the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C..
One critical distinction is that an apostille is not a translation. Many countries also need a certified translation into the local language alongside the apostille. Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and the UAE typically require the apostille plus a sworn translation. Our service includes complete packages that cover both apostille and certified translation.
The Hague Apostille Convention replaced 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 one standardized certificate from the appropriate government office. In Maryland, the designated office is the US Department of State in Washington D.C..
Maryland: State vs Federal Authority
For urgent submissions, same-day processing is offered by our courier service. The US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. offer walk-in or expedited processing. Our team exploits walk-in submission options by walking documents in, which is typically the only way to access same-day or next-day processing.
The single most important thing to know about the apostille process for your document is knowing which office processes your specific document type. In the United States, there are two distinct apostille pathways: state and federal-level. Documents issued by Maryland, including 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 US Department of State in Washington D.C..
For documents issued by Maryland government agencies, the apostille can only be issued by the Maryland Secretary of State's office. In most cases, the document must carry an original official seal or notarization. The US Department of State in Washington D.C. reviews the document's seals and signatures and attaches the apostille usually within 1 to 4 weeks.
Why Local Offices Cannot Help
It is also worth knowing, county clerks, municipal offices, and city government offices are equally unable to apostille documents. Even a trip to any local Maryland government office will not produce a Hague certificate. The only office in MD authorized to issue apostilles for state documents is the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C..
For Maryland 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 handles Maryland-area pickups and submissions with complete end-to-end shipment tracking on every submission.
First-time applicants in Maryland often expect they can get an apostille at a local UPS Store or notary. This is incorrect. A notary public can only witness signatures and verify identity. They have no authority to issue an apostille certificate — only the US Department of State in Washington D.C. can do this.
The Maryland Apostille Authority
Once your document arrives at the US Department of State in Washington D.C., a state official reviews the document and confirms that the issuing official's seals match the registry. If everything checks out, the apostille is issued as a cover page or attachment. The completed document is then returned by mail. Our courier 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. Turnaround times for mail-in submissions typically run 1 to 3 weeks depending on submission backlog. If you are in Maryland and need it faster, an in-person submission via a runner service gets the apostille in 2 to 5 business days.
Before your document can be submitted to the US Department of State in Washington D.C.: it may need to be notarized or certified first. Diplomas, powers of attorney, and affidavits typically require notarization as a first step. Our team advises you on any pre-apostille requirements before starting the submission so your submission is accepted on the first attempt.
How to Get Your FBI Background Check Apostilled in Maryland
Getting an apostille on your FBI Background Check requires a defined process. First: confirm that your document is the original or a certified copy. Step two: check that it has an official seal and signature from the issuing authority. Step three: submit it to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. with the required state fee of $5. Step four: receive your apostilled document — ready for any Hague member country.
One of the most overlooked steps 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 document is past its useful window, you will need to obtain a fresh copy before submission to the US Department of State in Washington D.C.. We check document dates as part of our intake process to flag any potential rejections early.
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 before submission to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. Our service handles this coordination 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 Maryland?
Knowing where your FBI Background Check is is a key advantage of using our courier service. Our service includes status updates at every milestone: initial pickup, receipt by our team, submission to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C., completion confirmation, and outbound FedEx tracking back to Maryland. This level of visibility is not possible with direct mail.
Processing times for a FBI Background Check apostille depend on the submission method and current government backlog. Documents sent by postal mail from Maryland to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. usually require 4 to 8 weeks in total — including transit time, government processing, and return. At busy times, particularly during visa application seasons, government processing alone can take 4 to 6 weeks.
For Maryland residents in a rush, the fastest path 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 capitalizes on this to get Maryland clients their apostilles faster than any postal alternative.
What to Include With Your Submission
The US Department of State in Washington D.C.'s fee of $5 must be included. Forms of payment differ at each US Department of State in Washington D.C. but typically include money order, certified check, or online payment. 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: for non-English documents, some US Department of State in Washington D.C. offices may require a certified English translation before apostilling. Alternatively, the US Department of State in Washington D.C. apostilles the foreign-language document as-is and the destination country receives a translated copy alongside the apostille. We advise you on this when you place your order.
When submitting your FBI Background Check for apostille, make sure you include: your original FBI Background Check or an official certified copy, notarization if required for your document type, a completed submission form if required, payment for the state fee of $5, and a prepaid return envelope or shipping label. Leaving out any item will delay your apostille.
Common Apostille Mistakes to Avoid
Mailing irreplaceable originals through the US Postal Service without a tracking number is a significant risk. Uninsured postal shipments are vulnerable to loss with no recourse. Original government-issued documents are sometimes time-consuming and costly to replace. We ship all documents via FedEx for complete end-to-end protection.
Sending a scanned printout instead of the original document is a common rejection reason. The US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. will only apostille documents with an authentic original seal and signature. Submitting a scan or uncertified copy will be returned immediately. Obtain an original certified copy from the issuing agency before starting the apostille process.
Failing to provide a prepaid return label 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 prepaid return envelope, your apostilled document may sit uncollected for days. Our service includes return shipping — no separate arrangements needed.
Get Your FBI Background Check Apostilled in Maryland
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 Maryland
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 Maryland?
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 Maryland 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.