FBI Background Check Apostille in South Carolina

People in South Carolina who need a FBI Background Check apostilled work directly with the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. Processing fees are $2 per apostille. Select your city below for localized instructions.

Order NowFrom $89 all-inclusive · No office visits · Insured FedEx return

South Carolina Apostille Requirements

Authority: US Department of State in Washington D.C.
Office Location: Washington D.C.
State Fee: $2
Important Rule: Very low fee.

Skip the South Carolina government office.

Our courier handles submission to US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. — standard 2–5 days, express available.

Order Now

Select your city to view local apostille processing options and courier times.

Columbia Charleston North Charleston Mount Pleasant Rock Hill Greenville Summerville Sumter Goose Creek Hilton Head Island Florence Spartanburg Hilton Head Myrtle Beach Aiken Greer Anderson Mauldin Greenwood North Augusta Taylors Saint Andrews Conway Easley Simpsonville Wade Hampton Lexington Socastee Hanahan Bluffton West Columbia North Myrtle Beach Clemson Seven Oaks Berea Gantt Five Forks Dentsville Ladson Fort Mill Cayce Orangeburg Beaufort Red Hill Gaffney Port Royal Irmo Parker Forest Acres Newberry Oak Grove Moncks Corner Red Bank Tega Cay Woodfield Garden City Laurens Georgetown Little River Lancaster Lake Wylie Clinton Bennettsville Fountain Inn Seneca Sangaree Boiling Springs Union York Sans Souci Hartsville Powdersville Murrells Inlet Lugoff Camden Burton Lake City Marion Dillon Welcome Centerville Valley Falls Homeland Park Darlington James Island Laurel Bay Belvedere Cheraw Clover Chester Lake Murray of Richland Batesburg-Leesville Hardeeville Walterboro Abbeville Central Piedmont Travelers Rest Hollywood Brookdale Edgefield Forestbrook Barnwell Mullins Batesburg Clearwater Belton Surfside Beach Walhalla Newport Isle of Palms Woodruff Williamston Manning Ridgeland Southern Shops Northlake Honea Path Dunean Saluda Saxon Lyman Bamberg Winnsboro India Hook Duncan Denmark Bishopville North Hartsville Liberty Kingstree Pickens Pendleton Allendale Lesslie East Gaffney Dalzell Lakewood Williston Andrews Hopkins Gloverville Shell Point Springdale Blythewood Folly Beach Pageland Burnettown Hampton Arcadia Graniteville Elgin Ravenel Loris McCormick Edisto Arial Wellford Cherryvale Landrum Wilkinson Heights Westminster Golden Grove South Sumter South Congaree Timmonsville Pacolet Privateer Johnston Blackville Inman Cowpens Leesville Roebuck Slater-Marietta Ware Shoals New Ellenton Saint George McColl Varnville Pineridge Kershaw Judson Ninety Six Saint Matthews Lancaster Mill Calhoun Falls Estill Great Falls Bonneau Beach Winnsboro Mills Blacksburg Seabrook Island Ridgeville Fairfax Monarch Mill Sullivans Island Jackson Kiawah Island Saint Stephen Fairforest Gaston Watts Mills Gadsden Wedgewood Wedgefield Mayo Chapin Joanna Johnsonville Utica Eureka Mill Whitmire Chesterfield Langley Murphys Estates Irwin Stateburg Awendaw Latta City View Catawba East Sumter Meggett Tigerville Iva Buffalo Pamplico Due West Holly Hill Warrenville Oakland Lincolnville Prosperity Cane Savannah Lake Secession Inman Mills

What Is a FBI Background Check Apostille?

An apostille is a type of government certification formalized by the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Unlike standard document certification, an apostille is accepted by all 124 Hague member countries — meaning your FBI Background Check is valid for submission to overseas institutions without further legalization. If you are in South Carolina, South Carolina, obtaining this certification goes through the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C..

An important point is that an apostille is not a translation. Most foreign authorities require a sworn or certified translation alongside the apostille. Most EU countries and many Middle Eastern authorities almost always require the apostille plus a sworn translation. We offer comprehensive apostille-plus-translation packages.

The Hague Apostille Convention replaced the cumbersome embassy-by-embassy authentication process that existed before 1961. Under the old system, getting an American document accepted overseas required multiple rounds of authentication at different government levels followed by embassy stamps. The apostille replaced this with a single certificate from the appropriate government office. For FBI Background Checks issued in South Carolina, that authority is the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C..

South Carolina: State vs Federal Authority

For urgent submissions, rush 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 courier takes advantage of in-person processing by submitting in person rather than by mail, getting you the fastest possible turnaround from South Carolina.

The single most important thing to know about the apostille process for your document is knowing which government authority issues apostilles for your specific document type. In the US, there are two distinct apostille pathways: state and federal. Documents issued by South Carolina, including FBI Background Checks go to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. Documents from US federal agencies, such as FBI Background Checks, must go to the US Department of State in Washington D.C..

For South Carolina-issued records, the apostille must come from the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C.. Before submission, the document needs to be in certified form with an authentic seal. The US Department of State in Washington D.C. reviews the document's seals and signatures and issues the Hague certificate typically in 1 to 3 weeks.

Why Local Offices Cannot Help

It is also worth knowing, county clerks, municipal offices, and city government offices in SC also cannot issue apostilles. Even visiting any local South Carolina government office would not produce an apostille. The only office in SC that can attach the Hague certificate for state documents is the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C..

For South Carolina 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 courier service serves all cities in South Carolina with full FedEx tracking and insurance on every submission.

First-time applicants in South Carolina mistakenly believe they can obtain Hague legalization at a local UPS Store or notary. This is incorrect. A notary public is authorized only to witness signatures and administer oaths. They cannot issue an apostille certificate — only designated government offices hold this power.

The South Carolina Apostille Authority

Once your document arrives at the US Department of State in Washington D.C., a state official verifies the seals and signatures 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 mailed back to you. Our runner retrieves it and ships it back to South Carolina.

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. Turnaround times without expedited service typically run 1 to 3 weeks depending on current volume. For South Carolina residents who need faster turnaround, an in-person submission via a runner service gets the apostille in 2 to 5 business days.

There is sometimes a step before apostille submission: it may need to be notarized or certified first. Diplomas, powers of attorney, and affidavits typically require notarization as a first step. We identifies whether any notarization is needed before starting the submission so your submission is accepted on the first attempt.

How to Get Your FBI Background Check Apostilled in South Carolina

Getting an apostille on your FBI Background Check follows a defined process. First: ensure your FBI Background Check is in its original, certified form. Second: verify the document carries an authentic official seal. Third: submit it to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. along with the applicable state fee. Fourth: collect the completed apostille — ready for any Hague member country.

Something many applicants miss is verifying that your document is current enough for the destination country. FBI 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 outdated, you will need to obtain a fresh copy before apostilling. Our team verifies document currency as part of our intake process to avoid submitting documents that will be refused.

Certain FBI Background Checks require notarization before they can be apostilled. When your document is not a government-issued record, it will typically need to be notarized by a licensed notary prior to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. will accept it. We coordinates any required pre-notarization 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 South Carolina?

Tracking your apostille is a key advantage of a physical courier over postal mail. We provide real-time tracking at every milestone: pickup from your South Carolina address, arrival at our processing hub, submission to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C., completion confirmation, and dispatch of the return shipment to South Carolina. This end-to-end tracking is not possible with direct mail.

Turnaround for a FBI Background Check apostille vary depending on how the document is submitted and the US Department of State in Washington D.C.'s current workload. Documents sent by postal mail from South Carolina to the US Department of State in Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. usually require 3 to 6 weeks round trip — including transit time, government processing, and return. During peak periods, particularly during visa application seasons, wait times can extend further.

For South Carolina 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 can complete apostilles same-day for in-person deliveries. Our runner uses this option wherever available to get South Carolina clients their apostilles in 2 to 5 business days.

What to Include With Your Submission

Payment for the state fee must accompany your submission. Accepted payment methods vary by state but generally include money order, certified check, or online payment. We includes fee payment in our all-in-one courier package 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. Alternatively, the US Department of State in Washington D.C. apostilles the foreign-language document as-is 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, ensure you have: the original document or a certified copy, any required notarization, the US Department of State in Washington D.C.'s request form if applicable, payment for the state fee of $2, and a prepaid FedEx or USPS return. Leaving out any item will delay your apostille.

Common Apostille Mistakes to Avoid

Sending original documents through the US Postal Service without a tracking number is something we strongly advise against. Uninsured postal shipments are vulnerable to loss with no recourse. Vital records and FBI Background Checks 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 South Carolina.

Mailing an uncertified copy instead of an original or certified copy 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. will only apostille documents with an authentic original seal and signature. Sending a photocopy will be rejected without processing. Request a new certified copy before starting the apostille process.

Failing to provide a prepaid return label 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. Our service includes return shipping — no separate arrangements needed.

Get Your FBI Background Check Apostilled in South Carolina

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 Now

Frequently Asked Questions — FBI Background Check Apostille in South Carolina

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 South Carolina?

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 South Carolina 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.