Everything you need to know about FBI background check apostilles: what they are, who needs them, how the process works, and how to get yours in 7 to 10 business days instead of waiting months.
An apostille is a certificate that authenticates a document so it will be accepted by governments and institutions in other countries. Think of it as a stamp of verification that tells a foreign government, "Yes, this is a real, official U.S. document."
Without an apostille, a foreign government has no way to verify that your FBI background check (or any other official document) is legitimate. They would have to go through a long chain of certifications involving multiple government agencies. The apostille replaces all of that with a single, standardized certificate.
For FBI background checks, the apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. This is the only entity authorized to apostille federal documents. No other agency, service, or company can issue the apostille itself.
Key point: An apostille does not change or certify the content of your document. It only certifies that the document is authentic and was issued by an authorized U.S. government entity. The foreign government then decides how to use the information in the document.
The Hague Convention of 1961, formally known as the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, is the international treaty that created the apostille system. Before this treaty, getting a document recognized in another country required a lengthy process called "legalization" that involved multiple government agencies in both countries.
The apostille replaced that entire chain with one certificate. Over 120 countries are now members of the Hague Apostille Convention, including most of Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Some of the most common countries where people need apostilled FBI background checks include Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, France, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Brazil, Japan, and many others. Each country has its own specific requirements for visa and residency applications, but the apostille process is the same for all of them.
If you are submitting your FBI background check to any government or institution outside the United States, you almost certainly need an apostille on it.
Moving abroad for a job? Most countries require an apostilled FBI background check as part of the work visa application. This includes employee transfers, new hires, and freelancer or self-employment visas.
Applying for temporary or permanent residency in another country? An apostilled FBI background check proves you have no criminal history in the United States. Required for most long-term residency programs worldwide.
Many universities and study abroad programs require an apostilled FBI background check for enrollment. This is especially common for programs in Spain, Italy, France, and Germany.
Applying for citizenship in another country based on ancestry or naturalization? An apostilled FBI background check is typically required to prove you have a clean record in the United States.
Both prospective parents need apostilled FBI background checks for international adoptions under the Hague Convention. Speed matters in adoption cases, and our 7 to 10 business day turnaround keeps the process moving.
Countries like Spain, Portugal, Germany, and others now offer digital nomad visas that let remote workers live abroad legally. An apostilled FBI background check is a standard requirement for these visas.
There are two ways to get an FBI apostille. You can mail your document to the Department of State yourself, or you can use our service for a much faster turnaround.
You can mail your FBI background check directly to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications. You will need to include a completed DS-4194 form, your original FBI background check, and a prepaid return envelope. The current processing time by mail is 5 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer during peak periods. There is a $20 fee per document.
The problem with mailing it yourself: Most visa applications have deadlines. Many consulates require your FBI background check to be issued within the last 3 to 6 months. If you spend 5 to 12 weeks waiting for the apostille, you may need to get a new FBI background check and start over.
We personally walk your documents into the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. This is the only way to get expedited processing. There is no online option. There is no express mail option. The only way to speed it up is to physically walk into the building, which is what we do.
Our turnaround is 7 to 10 business days from the time we receive your document. We handle all the paperwork, submission, pickup, and return shipping. You do not have to come to D.C. or visit any government office.
Upload your FBI background check through our website or mail it to us. If you do not have one yet and you are in the D.C. area, come to one of our locations and get fingerprinted. Results come back in as low as 30 minutes.
We personally deliver your document to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. We handle all required forms and paperwork. No mail delays, no waiting in line yourself.
Once the apostille is attached, we ship your completed document back to you with 2-day shipping included in the price. You can also pick it up in person at our Alexandria location.
No hidden fees. Return shipping included. You know exactly what you are paying.
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.
An apostille is a certificate issued by a government authority that authenticates a document for use in another country. It is recognized by all countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. For FBI background checks, the apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
If you are submitting your FBI background check to a government or institution in another Hague Convention member country, yes. Common reasons include visa applications, work permits, residency permits, citizenship applications, international adoption, and university enrollment abroad.
If you mail your document to the U.S. Department of State yourself, expect 5 to 12 weeks. We personally walk documents into the Department of State for a 7 to 10 business day turnaround. This is the fastest processing available because in-person delivery is the only way to expedite it.
The Hague Convention of 1961 is an international treaty that simplified the process of authenticating documents for use in foreign countries. Instead of going through a lengthy chain of certifications, a single apostille certificate is all that is needed. Over 120 countries are members, including most of Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
We specialize exclusively in FBI background check apostilles. FBI background checks are federal documents, so the apostille must be issued by the U.S. Department of State. We personally walk documents into the Department of State for the fastest processing available.
Most non-English speaking countries require a certified or sworn translation of your FBI background check. The apostille itself does not typically need translation because it follows a standardized format recognized by all member countries. Translation requirements vary by country, so check with the receiving institution or consulate.
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. International shipping is available when the customer provides their own shipping label.
The apostille itself does not expire. However, the FBI background check has a validity period that varies by country and institution. Most countries require it to be issued within 3 to 6 months of your application date. Check with the receiving consulate or institution for their specific requirements.
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.