Applying for Dominican residency, a work permit, or relocating for retirement? Your FBI background check commonly needs an apostille before Dominican authorities will accept it. We personally walk your documents into the U.S. Department of State for the fastest turnaround in the country: 7 to 10 business days.
"From the beginning to delivering of my documents, Fingerprints & Apostilles took control and kept me informed every step of the way. I will without a doubt be a repeat customer for all my federal apostilles."
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You can absolutely do that. Here is what the experience looks like compared to using our service.
| Mail It Yourself | Fingerprints & Apostilles | |
|---|---|---|
| Turnaround | 5 to 12+ weeks | 7 to 10 business days |
| Paperwork | You fill out every form | We handle everything |
| Cost | $20 apostille fee + your shipping | $120 all-in (shipping included) |
| Tracking | None | Status updates throughout |
| Risk of Rejection | High (incorrect forms, missing items) | We catch issues before submission |
| Return Shipping | Extra cost, you arrange | 2-day shipping included |
U.S. citizens applying for certain Dominican visas, residency permits, or work authorization are commonly asked to submit an apostilled FBI background check so Dominican authorities can verify no U.S. criminal record. Here are the most common reasons people need this service.
People relocating to the Dominican Republic long term commonly need an apostilled FBI background check as part of their residency application file.
Retirees relocating to the Dominican Republic for foreign pension or retirement income programs commonly submit an apostilled FBI background check with their application.
Foreign nationals employed by Dominican companies are often required to submit an apostilled FBI background check as part of work permit paperwork.
Dominicans living in the U.S. who need a U.S.-issued FBI background check apostilled for use back in the Dominican Republic use this service regularly.
Certain Dominican visa categories require an apostilled FBI background check as part of the supporting document file. Short-term tourism or business travel generally does not.
U.S. citizens establishing residency through a Dominican spouse or family relationship commonly need an apostilled FBI background check as part of that file.
Dominican authorities commonly expect a recently issued FBI background check, often within a three to six month window depending on the visa type or agency, so the document should still be fresh when you file.
If you mail your document to the Department of State, the standard timeline is 5 to 12 weeks. That could burn a meaningful chunk of your usable window before the apostille even comes back. Dominican authorities also typically expect documents submitted in Spanish.
Our 7 to 10 business day turnaround preserves that window. You get your apostilled document back with enough time to arrange the Spanish translation and submit your application.
FBI background checks are federal documents. Only the U.S. Department of State can apostille them. Your state's Secretary of State cannot do this. If someone tells you to go to your state, they are wrong.
The Dominican Republic is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so a U.S. Department of State apostille is accepted directly. There is no separate embassy legalization step required for the apostille itself.
Spanish is the Dominican Republic's official language, so documents submitted to Dominican authorities are typically expected in Spanish. The translation should be done after the apostille, not before. We do not translate documents ourselves, but we can point you to a trusted certified translation partner.
In Virginia? Get fingerprinted at one of our three locations (results in as low as 30 minutes). Anywhere else in the U.S.? Get ink fingerprints on an FD-258 card locally and mail the card to us. Already have your FBI background check? Skip straight to step 2.
Upload your completed FBI background check through our website, email the PDF to us, or drop it off in person at our Alexandria office. Americans and Dominicans living abroad can email it from anywhere in the world.
We personally walk your documents into the U.S. Department of State. Your apostilled FBI background check is returned with 2-day shipping included. International return shipping is available at live carrier rate.
After you order, you receive tracking texts, emails, and a personal tracking page so you always know exactly where your documents are. You know the ready date as soon as we drop your documents off at the Department of State. No waiting in the dark, no chasing updates. And if anything comes up, you have a dedicated point of contact who can help.
Need an apostille for a different country? We handle FBI background check apostilles for all Hague Convention member countries.
Usually yes, if you are applying for residency, a work permit, or certain visa categories. The Dominican Republic is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille from the U.S. Department of State is accepted directly, no embassy legalization required. Short-term tourism or business travel generally does not require this.
7 to 10 business days. We personally walk documents into the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. instead of mailing them. The standard timeline by mail is 5 to 12 weeks.
Dominican authorities commonly expect a recently issued document, often within a three to six month window, though this varies by visa type and agency. Our 7 to 10 business day turnaround protects your usable window. Confirm the exact recency requirement with the embassy, consulate, or agency handling your application.
Usually yes. Spanish is the Dominican Republic's official language, so documents submitted to Dominican authorities are typically expected in Spanish. The translation should be completed after the apostille, not before. We do not translate documents ourselves, but we can point you to a trusted certified translation partner.
If you are in the Washington, D.C. metro area, yes. Get fingerprinted at one of our three Virginia locations, receive your FBI background check (results in as low as 30 minutes), and we begin the apostille process immediately.
Yes. If you already have your FBI background check, you can send it to us from anywhere in the world. We handle the apostille and ship it back to you. International shipping is available at live carrier rate.
Yes. If you already have your FBI background check, email the PDF to us and we handle the apostille. We ship your apostilled document back to you internationally at live carrier rate.
You do not need to be in Virginia. If you already have your FBI background check, email it to us from anywhere. If you need fingerprints, you can get ink fingerprints done on an FD-258 card at any fingerprinting location near you and mail the card to us. We will process your FBI background check and start the apostille. Visit our mail-in fingerprinting page for details.
Most long-term pathways do. Residency permits, work authorization, and retiree relocation programs commonly require an apostilled FBI background check so Dominican authorities can verify no U.S. criminal record. Short-term tourism or business travel generally does not. Confirm with your immigration attorney or the specific agency handling your application.
No. The Department of State attaches the apostille to your document with a staple and grommet. If the staple shows signs of tampering, Dominican authorities will reject your documents. Do not remove, rebind, or laminate it.
Don't Have Your FBI Background Check Yet?
You do not need to arrive with your FBI background check in hand. We handle the entire process from fingerprints to apostille under one roof. Get fingerprinted at one of our three Virginia locations, receive your results in as low as 30 minutes, and we take it straight to the Department of State.
Book an appointment, get fingerprinted, and walk out. We handle everything from there. Your apostilled FBI background check arrives at your door.
Visa consultants, relocation companies, immigration attorneys, and fingerprinting businesses: add FBI background check apostilles to your services without building the process yourself.
Many countries require a certified translation of your apostilled record. We handle certified translations directly, in house. Get your apostille first, then order your translation online with a live price.
Order Your Translation OnlineHandled by our own team, no referrals. Learn more about certified translations.
7 to 10 business days. 2-day return shipping included. We walk your documents into the Department of State personally so you do not have to wait months.
Residency through a Dominican spouse usually needs your US marriage certificate apostilled, and proving parentage for family filings, including registering US-born children of a Dominican parent, needs an apostilled birth certificate. We apostille vital records from all 50 states, with the same expedited handling and return shipping included.
An FBI background check is a federal document and can only be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. A state apostille on an FBI check gets rejected. Birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates are state documents, apostilled by the state that issued them. We handle both and route your order correctly.
For an FBI background check, most consulates want it dated within 90 days (some allow up to six months), and that window starts the day it is issued, not the day you apostille it. Vital records like birth and marriage certificates usually do not expire, but many authorities still want a recent certified copy. Either way, our 7 to 10 business day turnaround protects your window.