How to Apostille an FBI Background Check — Mail-In vs. 10-Day Expedited

FAQ

Many countries require a legalized FBI Identity History Summary (a.k.a. FBI background check) for visas, residency, employment, or adoption. Because this is a federal document, the apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State—not by a state Secretary of State. Below we explain the two lawful paths: Mail-In (5–6 weeks) or our Expedited Federal Apostille (~10 business days).

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Quick Answer

Option 1 — Mail-In (DIY): Send your FBI report to the U.S. Department of State by mail. Typical timeline: ~5–6 weeks depending on backlog. Any error (wrong form, missing details, payment issues) can cause returns and further delays. For a general federal DIY overview, see our DIY Federal Apostille Guide.

Option 2 — Expedited (~10 Business Days): Hire our team of experts in the federal apostille process to manage the filing and monitoring for you. We optimize for the fastest lawful turnaround on FBI reports—typically ~10 business days—and send a secure scan upon issuance, with the original shipped to your address.

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Mail-In vs. Expedited (Comparison)

Factor Mail-In (DIY) Expedited Federal 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
Effort Self-prepare, mail, track, and troubleshoot Handled fully by experts in the federal apostille process
Best For Flexible timelines, DIY comfort Deadlines, visas, relocations, peace of mind

Step-by-Step: FBI Apostille (High-Level)

We keep this high-level to protect client privacy and our proprietary workflow.

  1. Get your FBI report — Obtain your official FBI Identity History Summary. If you still need the report, start here: FBI Background Check Apostille.
  2. Confirm destination country — Determines whether apostille (Hague-member) or embassy legalization (non-Hague) is required.
  3. Prepare federal filing — Accuracy matters: correct request form details, proper payment, and compliant packet routing.
  4. Submission & monitoring — Mail-in: you ship and wait. Expedited: our experts manage submission, tracking, and issue resolution.
  5. Issuance & delivery — You’ll receive a secure scan when the apostille is issued; the original follows via secure shipping.
Emergency cases: Same-day federal consideration exists only for documented life-or-death emergencies plus imminent travel. If you don’t qualify, the fastest lawful solution for an FBI report is our ~10-business-day expedited track. Learn more: Same-Day Federal Apostille (Emergency Only).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Sending to the wrong authority — FBI reports are federal; state offices can’t apostille them.
  • Destination country omitted — Missing or incorrect destination creates misrouting risks.
  • Using the wrong payment method or amount — Causes returns and weeks of lost time.
  • Assuming “rush tiers” exist — Outside emergencies, there’s no faster legal tier than the standard federal flow.
  • Waiting too long to start — Many consulates require an apostille dated within a recent window.
Avoid delays.
We keep you on the fastest legal path for FBI apostilles—typically ~10 business days.
Expedite My FBI Background Check Apostille

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to apostille an FBI background check?

Mail-in averages ~5–6 weeks depending on backlogs. Our expedited federal handling targets ~10 business days on average, with a scan provided when issued.

Can a state Secretary of State apostille my FBI report?

No. The FBI report is a federal document; only the U.S. Department of State issues the apostille for it.

What if my destination country isn’t in the Hague Convention?

Non-Hague destinations require federal authentication plus embassy/consulate legalization. We’ll route your file correctly for you.

Is there a true “same-day” option?

Only documented life-or-death emergencies with imminent travel may be considered for same-day. Otherwise, expedited (~10 business days) is the fastest lawful path.

Do you share the exact DIY steps?

We provide a high-level overview. For self-filers, see our DIY Federal Apostille Guide.

Related Guides & Tools

Disclaimer: Timeframes and requirements may change without notice. We advise based on current official guidance at the time of your order.

Flat-rate $149. Scans included. Average 10 business days.

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