Moving to Germany for work, studies, or a fresh start? Your FBI background check needs an apostille for visa and residency applications. 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 |
Germany requires an apostilled FBI background check for most visa and residency pathways. Here are the most common reasons Americans need this service.
Germany's EU Blue Card is one of the most popular work permits for highly skilled professionals from outside the EU. An apostilled FBI background check is required as part of the application for most nationalities.
Germany's freelancer visa allows self-employed professionals to live and work in Germany. The application typically requires an apostilled FBI background check to confirm a clean criminal record.
Americans taking employment with a German company need a work permit. The local immigration authority (Auslaenderbehoerde) typically requires an apostilled FBI background check as part of the documentation.
Americans enrolling in German universities for programs exceeding 90 days need a student visa. An apostilled FBI background check may be required depending on the program and institution.
Applying for permanent residency in Germany requires documentation of a clean criminal record. An apostilled FBI background check covers the U.S. portion of this requirement.
Joining a spouse or family member in Germany through family reunification requires proof of a clean criminal record. An apostilled FBI background check satisfies this requirement for American applicants.
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.
We personally walk your documents into the U.S. Department of State. Your apostilled FBI background check is 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.
Need an apostille for a different country? We handle FBI background check apostilles for all Hague Convention member countries.
Yes. Germany requires an apostilled FBI background check for most visa and residency applications. As a Hague Apostille Convention member, Germany accepts apostilles issued by the U.S. Department of State on federal documents like FBI background checks.
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.
German authorities typically require the FBI background check to be issued within 3 to 6 months of your application date. Requirements can vary by visa type and local immigration office (Auslaenderbehoerde), so confirm the specific timeframe with the office handling your case.
Yes. Germany requires a certified translation (beglaubigte Uebersetzung) of your apostilled FBI background check into German. The translation must be done by a certified translator recognized by German authorities. The apostille itself follows a standardized format and typically does not need separate translation.
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.
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.
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.
Birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates are among the most commonly apostilled documents for visas and citizenship. 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 6 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.