FBI Background Check Apostille
FBI Background Check Apostille
in 10 Business Days — Guaranteed.
Flat $149. Hand-delivered to the U.S. Department of State. Money-back guarantee.
⚠️ Don’t get burned by fake “1-day” offers. We process your apostille correctly the first time — so your visa, job, or adoption stays on track.
3,263+
Apostilles Processed
$149
Expedited Service
10 days
Expedited Turnaround
100%
Hague Acceptance
I thought I’d miss my visa deadline, but Federal Apostille got my apostille back in 10 business days. Everything went smoothly from there.
– Federal Apostille Customer
What Is an FBI Background Check Apostille?
An FBI background check apostille is an official certification issued by the U.S. Department of State that makes your FBI Identity History Summary legally recognized for use abroad.
Most countries part of the Hague Convention require this certification before accepting your FBI report for a visa, overseas job, residency permit, or international adoption. Without it, your document is considered unverified and will be rejected regardless of what it says.
Because the FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document, only the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. has the authority to issue this certification. A state secretary of state cannot process it, if you send it there, it gets returned without action.
Who Needs an FBI Background Check Apostille?
If you’re planning to live, work, study, or adopt abroad, there’s a strong chance your destination country will ask for one. Here’s when it’s typically required:
Long-stay visas and residency applications: Retirement visas, digital nomad visas, and residency programs in countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Mexico all commonly require it.
Foreign employment: Employers and professional licensing bodies abroad frequently require an apostilled criminal background check before hiring.
International marriage registration: Civil authorities in many countries require a clean, apostilled background check as part of the registration process.
University enrollment abroad: Some international universities and study programs require it for admission.
International adoption: An apostilled FBI criminal background check is required in most cross-border adoption cases.
Every Rejected Apostille Could Cost You Months.
Most FBI background checks are only valid for three months. If your apostille gets rejected for the wrong form, missing detail, or incorrect payment, you don’t just resubmit. You start over. New background check. New fees. New wait.
Meanwhile, your deadlines don’t move.
Visa appointments get missed. Job offers expire. Adoption cases stall.
A single avoidable mistake doesn’t just waste time, it can cost you real opportunities at the worst possible moment.
That’s exactly why accuracy on the first submission matters more than anything else.
Mail-In vs. Our Expedited FBI Background Check Apostille Service.
Both options go through the same authority, the U.S. Department of State. The difference is how long it takes, how much risk you carry, and how much of your time gets spent managing it.
| Factor | Mail-In (DIY) | Our Expedited Service |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Timeline | ~5–6 weeks (can extend with backlogs or errors) | ~10 business days on average |
| Risk of Rejection | Higher — form/payment mistakes, missing details | Lower — expert review and compliant packaging |
| Status Visibility | Limited once mailed | Proactive monitoring + scan on issuance |
| Scan Included | No | Yes — sent immediately on issuance |
| Error Recovery | You restart and resubmit (weeks lost) | We handle issues proactively |
| Best For | Very flexible timelines, no deadline pressure | Visas, relocation, employment — any deadline |
How Our FBI Background Check Apostille Service Works.
We don’t just forward your documents. We manage the entire process, from document review to hand delivery to same-day scanning, so nothing falls through the cracks.
We Review Your Document for Accuracy
Before anything gets filed, we go through your FBI background check carefully. We verify the document is the correct format, check for any issues that could cause a rejection, and confirm everything is in order. This step alone prevents the most common and costly mistakes.
We Hand-Deliver to the U.S. Department of State.
We physically walk your document to the walk-in counter at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. No mail. No third-party drop-offs. Direct submission with the correct paperwork, every time.
We Pick Up, Scan, and Ship the Same Day
Once your apostille is issued, we collect it first thing in the morning. You receive a high-quality scan via email the same day. If you need the original shipped, we send it with full tracking, domestic or international.
Watch the full breakdown of how we guarantee 10-day apostilles.
How It Works
Get Your Apostille in 3 Simple Steps
No paperwork confusion. No government office visits. No waiting months. Just three straightforward steps, and we handle everything in between.
Make your payment
Pay securely online with our flat-rate pricing. All government fees and processing costs are included, no hidden charges or surprise fees later.
Upload Your FBI Background Check
After checkout, securely upload your FBI background Check or federal document through our Secure Portal. We’ll review it to ensure everything is correct before filing.
Receive your Apostille in 10 days
You will receive a high-quality scan via email in approximately 10 business days. If you need the original document returned, we ship it to your door with tracking included.
Need your apostille FAST?
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
“Clear communication”
“I needed my FBI background check apostilled for my Colombia visa. They delivered scans in 10 business days. Way faster than doing it myself. Clear communication the whole time.”
– Michael R. (Houston, TX)
“Huge relief”
“I was skeptical at first, but they delivered my FBI apostille exactly when promised — scans in 10 days, originals a week later. Huge relief.”
– Sofia L. (Miami, FL)
“Highly recommended”
“Flat-rate pricing gave me peace of mind. Other sites kept trying to upsell me, but here it was transparent from the start. Highly recommend.”
– David K (Los Angeles. CA)
Common Mistakes That Delay Your FBI Background Check and Apostille
Most delays are avoidable. These are the mistakes that cause rejected submissions and wasted weeks:
- Sending to the wrong authority: The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document. State offices cannot apostille it. If you mail it to a state Secretary of State, it comes back untouched.
- Missing or incorrect destination country: The apostille must name the correct destination. A missing or wrong country creates processing issues.
- Wrong payment method or amount: Even small payment errors cause the entire submission to be returned.
- Assuming faster tiers exist: Outside of documented life-or-death emergencies, there is no legally faster option than the standard federal process. Anyone advertising same-day for routine orders is misleading you.
- Starting too late: Many consulates and embassies require a recently dated apostille. If your background check expires before the apostille is issued, you restart the whole process.
About Federal Apostille
At Federal Apostille, our mission is simple: make the apostille process fast, accurate, and stress-free. We know that when your visa, job, or adoption is on the line, there’s no room for delays, hidden fees, or gimmicks.
That’s why we built a service that does things the right way:
- Hands-on filing: We walk documents directly into the U.S. Department of State instead of relying on slow, error-prone mail systems.
- Speed you can count on: What usually takes 3–6 weeks is expedited to just 10 business days — with scans always included, and originals shipped securely.
- Transparency first: No fake “1-day” promises. No surprise charges. Just a clear, guaranteed process that delivers what you need on time.
Don’t Have Your FBI Background Check Yet? Here’s How to Get One
The apostille is step two. Step one is the FBI report itself — officially called an Identity History Summary. You have two ways to get it:
Option 1: Directly from the FBI. You submit fingerprints and the FBI’s $18 fee. If you mail physical fingerprint cards, expect several weeks. If you submit electronically at a participating USPS location, results can arrive in days. The FBI emails you a PDF — and yes, that PDF version can be apostilled (see FAQ below).
Option 2: Through an FBI-approved channeler. Channelers are private companies authorized by the FBI to submit your fingerprints and return your Identity History Summary — usually within 24 hours of fingerprinting. They cost more than the FBI’s direct fee, but for anyone on a visa deadline, the speed usually justifies it. One caveat that catches people constantly: some consulates require the report to come directly from the FBI, not a channeler — check your destination country’s consulate instructions before choosing.
Already overseas? Getting fingerprinted abroad and routing the report back for an apostille has its own process — see our guide to getting an FBI background check from abroad. For the full two-step walkthrough, see how to get an FBI background check apostilled, step by step.
Once your report is in hand (or inbox), upload it to us and we take it from there — reviewed, hand-delivered to the U.S. Department of State, apostilled, and shipped in 10 business days, guaranteed.
STILL NOT SURE?
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about federal apostille services? You’re not alone. Whether you need an FBI background check apostille, a state-issued document certified, or you’re wondering about same-day apostille options, our FAQ covers the most common questions clients ask before starting their order. Here’s everything you need to know to feel confident your documents will be processed correctly and accepted abroad.
How long does a federal FBI Background Check apostille take?
Your FBI Background Check apostille will be ready in about 10 business days. We submit in person at the physical counter for the Department of State in Washington, D.C. By mail, the process takes 2–3 months or longer. Our service is designed to get your apostille back quickly, without the long delays.
Can I get same-day FBI Background Check apostille service?
Same-day apostille service for an FBI background check document is only possible in rare emergencies, such as a death or life-threatening illness abroad, and requires proof. If you qualify, contact us for details. For most clients, processing takes about 10 business days. You can check our Apostille Processing Time tool.
Do I need to notarize or translate my FBI Background Check?
No. Only the original FBI Background Check is eligible for a federal apostille.
Can I send you the PDF of my FBI Background Check?
Yes, the PDF is accepted. All we need is the official PDF report you received from your FBI channeler. It cannot be a scan. It has to be the original PDF.
What if I only have the physical copy of my FBI Background Check?
You can ship us the original physical copy of your FBI Background Check directly to us for an apostille. We will share our Washington DC address once your order is placed. If you have the original PDF, you can send us the PDF for faster processing.
Do I need to mail you my original FBI Background Check report?
No. Mailing is not required for an FBI background check apostille — you can upload the PDF version you receive from your FBI channeler. You can mail us the original physical document to our Washington DC address if you don’t have the PDF.
Can you ship the physical copy of the apostille to me?
Every order includes high-quality scans of your apostilled documents at no additional cost. If you need the originals back, we offer tracked return shipping (domestic and international) for an additional fee.
Will my FBI Background Check apostille be accepted abroad?
Yes. Apostilles are recognized in all Hague Convention countries. If your destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, the process is called legalization through the consulate or embassy. We can advise you on this if needed.
How do I know this is legitimate?
We’re a U.S. based company that physically hand-delivers documents to the U.S. Department of State. No overseas middlemen, no hidden fees.
Do you handle state apostilles as well?
Yes. We process both federal and state apostilles. Federal documents (like FBI background checks, FDA/USDA documents, patents, trademarks, and federal court records) are handled through the U.S. Department of State. State-issued documents (like birth certificates, marriage certificates, or university transcripts) are handled through the relevant Secretary of State’s office.
Do you offer translation services?
In some cases yes. Please contact us by WhatsApp if you need a visa-ready translation of your FBI Background Check and FBI Apostille.
Can a state Secretary of State apostille my FBI report?
No. The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document. Only the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. has the authority to issue the apostille for it. If you send your report to a state office, it will be returned without processing
How much does an FBI background check apostille cost?
Our service is $149 flat rate — all-inclusive. This covers federal filing preparation, expert handling, monitoring, a secure digital scan on issuance.
Need Guaranteed Service?
We Know You Need This Problem Solved As QUICKLY As Possible.
That’s why we created the Federal Apostille Expedited FBI Background Check Apostille System: to get your apostille finished quickly and correctly, so you can move forward with confidence.
Get your fbi background check apostille with confidence.
Flat-rate $149. Scans included. Average 10 business days.
One flat rate. Scans included. Skip the 2–3 month mail backlog — get it done in ~10 business days.
Money-Back Guarantee
Your order is protected by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If your apostille cannot be completed for any reason, you’ll receive a full refund.
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FBI apostilles for a specific country or situation
Matching your document to the exact filing is the step DIY filers most often get wrong. These cover the most common FBI apostille scenarios.
- FBI Apostille for a Spain Visa — apostille only
- FBI Apostille + Translation for a Spain Visa — with certified Spanish translation
- FBI Apostille for a Colombia Visa — apostille only
- FBI Apostille + Translation for a Colombia Visa — with certified Spanish translation
- FBI Apostille for a South Korea Visa — E-2 teaching and F-6 marriage visas
- FBI Apostille for a China Work Permit — Z-visa; apostille accepted since Nov 2023
- FBI Apostille for a Philippines Visa — SRRV retirement and 13(a) marriage visas
- FBI Apostille for Mexico — naturalization, adoption, and INM procedures
- FBI Apostille for the Dominican Republic — residencia provisional
- FBI Apostille for a Costa Rica Visa — pensionado and rentista residency
- FBI Apostille for a Panama Visa — Pensionado and Friendly Nations visas
- FBI Apostille for an Ecuador Visa — jubilado and rentista visas
- FBI Apostille for a Brazil Visa — marriage and retirement residency
- FBI Apostille for a Portugal Visa — D7 and digital-nomad visas
- Ordering Your FBI Apostille from Abroad — living outside the U.S.
- Federal Apostille Processing Time — realistic timelines
FBI apostille near me — why there is no local office
A federal apostille near you does not exist, and that is not a gap in coverage — it is how the system is built. An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal record, and federal records are authenticated by exactly one authority in the country: the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. Searching from Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Miami, New York or anywhere else returns notaries, channelers and couriers — none of them can issue the apostille itself.
A state Secretary of State cannot do it either. State offices authenticate documents their own state issued or notarized; an FBI report is not one of those, so sending it to a state office costs you the trip and comes back unapostilled.
So the only question "near me" really answers is who carries your report to Washington and back. That is what we do — the filing leg, in person, with a same-day scan the moment the apostille is issued. If your document is state-issued instead — a birth certificate, a diploma, a notarized power of attorney — it follows your state's own office; those are listed under apostille services by state.