Apostille for FBI Background Check
An apostille on a FBI background check may be needed if you are you are planning to apply for residency permits, long-term visas, obtain foreign citizenship, or employment abroad. If your destination is a member of the Hague Convention, your FBI Background Check needs an apostille from the U.S. Department of State . The Hague convention consists of countries such as South Korea, Spain, Italy, Colombia, France, and 120+ other countries.
What is an Apostille? Why do I need it?
An apostille is a certificate that "legalizes" or "authenticates" a document for use outside of the United States. In the Apostille process a document receives a special page which has the issuing agency's signature, stamp, and seal. Apostille pages can be issued from either the state or federal level, depending on where the document issuing agency resides. For documents like the FBI background check, the Apostille is issued by the US Department of State. The Apostille certificate is not accepted in every country, but only those that are part of an agreement called the Hague Convention. The Hague convention consists of over 120+ countries who all agree to use the Apostille certificate as the simplified process for accepting foreign documents for use in their country. If you are new to the Apostille process, a certified third-party such as US Authentication Services can help you get an apostille for your FBI background check quickly without delays or rejections! Get Started Today!
What is the FBI Background check? How do I obtain one?
The FBI background check, sometimes called the FBI Identity History Summary or FBI rap sheet, is a collection of an individual's criminal activities and arrest history in the US at a State and Federal level. If there are no such records, a statement of no prior arrest data will be will be issued. The FBI Background Check is commonly required for a variety of reasons by the destination country to prove the individual has no serious criminal history. Common reasons for needing a FBI background check are employment, international business, studying abroad, and visa or residency applications. Obtaining the FBI background check can seem difficult for some, but the knowledgeable team at US Authentication services has been helping individuals obtain their FBI background check and apostille for over 15+ years.
Why chose US Authentication Services?
While some attempt to apostille for the FBI background check on their own, they quickly learn how much experience makes a difference! Government agencies are confusing and getting details wrong can cause major delays. Why risk your precious time or peace of mind when you can leave it to the professionals? We are an experienced third-party agency with over 15 years of experience dealing with all kinds of agencies and can offer quicker submission times than the mail in services. We insure your apostille is completed correctly the first time. No need for guess work, dealing with delays, or potential rejections!
The US Authentication Difference
We are a licensed agency in the Washington DC area who have been handling apostilles since 2008. We file your documents in person at the Department of State on a DAILY basis (Mon- Thu) and have the experience to anticipate and fix the many issues individuals face in the apostille process. Our in-person submission is faster than the alternatives and removes any risk of documents being rejected because of errors or any postal delays.
Get Started Quickly!
We can accept your documents via email, our online order form, or mailed to our office. When you send us your FBI report as a PDF, we will review it, and give you a firm quote explaining what exactly is needed and provide a clear timeline before you're charged a cent. Get a fast, free, no-obligation quote today!
Getting Your FBI Background Check
Before we can process your apostille, you'll need an official FBI Identity History Summary (also called a Criminal Background Check). There are two ways to get one:
Option A — Directly through the FBI: Visit fbi.gov and navigate to the Identity History Summary Checks section. Submit your request online. The FBI delivers results as a PDF in most cases.
Option B — Through an FBI-approved Channeler: Channelers are private companies the FBI has authorized to accept fingerprints and submit background check requests on your behalf, often with faster turnaround than going directly through the FBI. The full list of approved Channelers is on the FBI website.
Results from both sources are accepted. Once you have your PDF, email it to us and we'll confirm it's suitable for apostille — at no cost.
How It Works
Three steps. We take care of everything after you send us the document.
Get Your FBI Report
Request your FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov or through an approved Channeler. Most people receive a PDF. Already have it? Go straight to step two.
Send It to Us
Email, WhatsApp, or upload your PDF through our order form. We review it free of charge, confirm what you need, and send a firm quote with your exact timeline. No obligation to proceed.
We Handle the Rest
Once you approve, we file your documents in person at the U.S. Department of State. When the apostille is issued, we ship it back via FedEx — 2-day domestic or International Priority.
Pricing
All plans include government fees, in-person DoS submission, and email confirmation. Choose the timeline that fits your schedule.
- All government fees included
- In-person DoS submission
- Email confirmation
- All government fees included
- In-person DoS submission
- Email confirmation
- All government fees included
- In-person DoS submission
- Email confirmation
- Digital copy emailed
Shipping is additional: Domestic FedEx 2-Day $35 · International FedEx Priority $85. Note: Fridays do not count as working days at the U.S. Department of State.
Why People Come Back
We've been doing this since 2008. Here's what makes the difference.
Expres In-Person DoS Submission:
We provide Express in-person submission of your documents to the U.S. Department of State daily. No mailing, no delays from lost envelopes, no rejection risk from postal errors. We complete your apostille in under two weeks, start to finish
Fully Online Process
Submit your PDF and we handle everything else. No printing, no trip to a notary, no guesswork about what's required.
BBB Accredited A+
Sixteen years in business with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. We've processed apostilles for clients heading to 120+ countries.
Free Document Review
We confirm your document is suitable for apostille before you pay anything. No surprises, no commitment until you're ready.
What clients say.
Common Questions
What is an apostille for an FBI Background Check?
An apostille is an internationally recognized certification issued by the U.S. Department of State that verifies the authenticity of your FBI Background Check for use in countries that have signed the 1961 Hague Convention. It's required for international employment applications, residency permits, and visa processes in member countries.
Do I need an apostille or embassy authentication?
If your destination country is a Hague Convention member, you need an apostille. If it's not a member, your document needs embassy authentication (also called legalization). Not sure which applies? Contact us — we'll confirm at no charge.
How long does the FBI apostille process take?
With our Express service, the total process takes 8–9 business days from the time we receive your documents. Standard runs 12–14 business days, and Economy is available for clients with flexible timelines — 5+ weeks. Keep in mind that Fridays do not count as working days at the U.S. Department of State.
I already have my FBI Background Check PDF. Can I send it directly?
Yes — email the PDF to info@usauthentication.com or upload it through our order form. We'll review it at no cost and confirm next steps before you're charged anything.
Can you apostille an FBI Background Check for employment in South Korea, Spain, or Italy?
Yes. South Korea, Spain, Italy, and most countries where US residents seek international employment are Hague Convention members. We process apostilles for all member nations. If you're unsure whether your destination requires an apostille or embassy authentication, reach out — we'll tell you for free.
Which countries do you serve?
We process FBI Background Check apostilles for all 120+ Hague Convention member nations, including South Korea, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Brazil, and many more. If your country isn't a Hague member, we also handle embassy authentication.