Big change: since November 7, 2023, China is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Your FBI background check for China no longer needs Chinese consular legalization. It just needs a U.S. Department of State apostille, which we deliver in 7 to 10 business days.
| Fingerprints & Apostilles | Mail It Yourself | |
|---|---|---|
| Turnaround | 7 to 10 business days | 5 to 12 weeks |
| Method | Walked into the Department of State in person | Mailed and queued |
| Tracking | Texts, emails, and a personal tracking page | None |
| Return shipping | 2-day shipping included | You arrange it |
| Point of contact | A real person who can help | None |
Work permits, teaching jobs, study, marriage, and adoption in China all commonly require an apostilled FBI background check.
Foreign experts and employees need an authenticated criminal record check for the China work permit and Z visa. Since 2023 that means an apostille, not legalization.
Teaching in China requires a clean background check for your foreign expert certificate and work permit. The apostille is now the accepted authentication.
Longer academic programs in China may require an apostilled FBI background check as part of enrollment or the residence permit.
Marrying in China or applying for family reunification commonly requires an apostilled criminal record certificate.
Adoption and long-term residence applications frequently require an apostilled FBI background check.
Already on the ground for work, teaching, study, or family? Get fingerprinted on an FD-258 card where you are, mail it to us for a $95 FBI background check, and we email you instructions to access your result. Then you upload it to our apostille order form to start the apostille.
Get your fingerprints on a standard FD-258 card at a local police station or a private ink-fingerprinting service.
Mail the card to us and order our mail-in FBI background check for $95. We submit it to the FBI right away.
We email you instructions to access your result, then you upload it to our apostille order form to start the apostille.
China joined the Hague Apostille Convention effective November 7, 2023. Chinese consulates in the U.S. stopped doing legalization. An apostille from the U.S. Department of State is now the accepted authentication.
FBI background checks are federal documents. Only the U.S. Department of State can apostille them. A state Secretary of State cannot.
Most Chinese authorities now accept the apostille, but a few were slow to update their checklists. If yours still lists legalization, confirm, the apostille is the current method.
In Virginia? Get fingerprinted at one of our three locations. Anywhere else? Get an FD-258 card mailed in for $95. Already have your FBI check? Skip to step 2.
Upload it through our website, email the PDF, or drop it off in Alexandria. Americans abroad can upload from anywhere.
We personally walk your documents into the U.S. Department of State and return them with 2-day shipping. International return shipping available with your own label.
No. Since November 7, 2023, China is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. An FBI background check for China now needs only a U.S. Department of State apostille. Chinese consulates in the U.S. discontinued legalization.
The U.S. Department of State, because the FBI check is a federal document. A state apostille will not be accepted.
7 to 10 business days. We walk documents into the Department of State in person instead of mailing them. The standard mail-in route is 5 to 12 weeks.
Yes. Get fingerprinted on an FD-258 card, mail it to us, and order our $95 mail-in FBI background check. We email you instructions to access your result, then you apostille it online.
Often yes. Many Chinese receiving institutions require a Chinese translation of the apostilled FBI background check. Apostille first, then translate.
Many Chinese receiving authorities require a certified translation of your apostilled FBI background check. Get the apostille first, then translate. We recommend Rush Translate for fast, affordable certified translations.
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Apostille replaced legalization in 2023. We deliver it in 7 to 10 business days with return shipping included.