Claiming citizenship by descent or applying for naturalization abroad? An apostilled FBI background check is required for nearly every citizenship application, and many applicants need their naturalization certificate apostilled too. We walk your documents into the Department of State personally: 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 |
Whether you are tracing your ancestry or pursuing naturalization, these are the most common citizenship pathways that require an apostilled FBI background check from the U.S. Department of State. See our detailed guides for Italy and Portugal.
The most common citizenship-by-descent path for Americans. If you have an Italian ancestor who never renounced their citizenship, you may qualify. An apostilled FBI background check is required whether you apply at a U.S. consulate or through a comune in Italy. Italy's 2025 Tajani Decree has compressed timelines for eligible applicants, making speed critical. Learn more about apostilles for Italy.
If you have an Irish-born parent or grandparent, you may be eligible for Irish citizenship through the Foreign Births Register. An apostilled FBI background check is part of the documentation required for the application process.
Portugal offers citizenship by descent for those with Portuguese parents or grandparents, as well as through naturalization for long-term residents. Both paths require an apostilled FBI background check. Learn more about apostilles for Portugal.
Spain offers citizenship through descent (for children of Spanish nationals), marriage, and long-term residency. All pathways require an apostilled FBI background check as part of the criminal records requirement. Learn more about apostilles for Spain.
Poland allows citizenship claims by those who can prove Polish ancestry. The process involves confirming that your ancestor held Polish citizenship, and an apostilled FBI background check is part of the required documentation.
Germany, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Greece, Israel, and many other countries offer citizenship by descent or naturalization. Most Hague Convention member countries require an apostilled FBI background check as part of the application.
Most dual citizenship applicants know they need an apostilled FBI background check. What many do not realize until late in the process is that their U.S. naturalization certificate often needs to be apostilled too. Both documents are federal, and both are apostilled at the U.S. Department of State through the same process.
We handle both. Submit your FBI background check and your naturalization certificate together, and we walk them both into the Department of State in the same trip. Same 7 to 10 business day turnaround. Same pricing. One order, both documents handled.
For Italian citizenship applicants specifically, the 2025 Tajani Decree has introduced new requirements and compressed timelines for many jure sanguinis cases. When every step in your application is time-sensitive, waiting 5 to 12 weeks for an apostille by mail is not an option. Our turnaround exists for exactly these situations.
Get fingerprinted at one of our three Virginia locations in Alexandria, Fredericksburg, or Montclair, Virginia. FBI background check results are available in as low as 30 minutes.
Upload your completed FBI background check through our website, email it, or drop it off in person at our Alexandria office. If you also need a naturalization certificate apostilled, send that along too.
We personally walk your documents into the U.S. Department of State. Your apostilled documents are returned with 2-day shipping included in the price.
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.
Yes. Most countries require an apostilled FBI background check as part of citizenship applications, including citizenship by descent. The apostille certifies the FBI document for official use in any Hague Convention member country.
7 to 10 business days. We personally walk documents into the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. instead of mailing them. This is the only way to get expedited processing. The standard timeline by mail is 5 to 12 weeks.
Jure sanguinis means "right of blood." If you have an Italian ancestor who never renounced their Italian citizenship, you may be eligible for Italian citizenship by descent. An apostilled FBI background check is required as part of the application, whether you apply through an Italian consulate in the U.S. or through a comune in Italy. See our apostille for Italy guide for more details.
Most consulates and government offices require the FBI background check to be issued within 3 to 6 months of your application date. Italian consulates typically require it to be within 6 months. Always confirm the specific requirement with the consulate or government office handling your application.
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. This is the fastest way to go from fingerprints to apostille.
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 when the customer provides their own shipping label. Many dual citizenship applicants are already living abroad when they need this service.
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.
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.