Simplify the Process of Obtaining an Apostille

Just like getting a document notarized in the United States verifies authenticity and provides witness that the document is legal and properly signed, obtaining an Apostille provides this verification for documents begin used in foreign countries. Specifications for this type of verification process were established during the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, also referred to as the Apostille Convention.

Prior to the issuance of this treaty, any documents needed for establishment of identity, marriage, Power of Attorney, birth, and education had to be legalized both in the country of issuance and the country being visited. This represented a time-consuming and often frustrating process that sometimes resulted in the rejection of the legal documents by the foreign country. To avoid this, the Apostille Convention created an agreement among a list of signatory states that agreed documents legalized in those states and featuring an authentic Apostille were legal in the other states. In some situations, specific signatory states do not accept Apostille from some others.

Some of these signatory states include:

  • The United States
  • Albania
  • Belize
  • Bulgaria
  • Costa Rica
  • Dominica
  • Finland
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • India
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Liberia
  • Mexico

Different types of Apostille are available for different types of documents. Using a licensed, experienced Apostille services ensures you get the proper Apostille stamp for your document. Getting authentication for a personal document such as an Apostille on a diploma is obtained by submitting the official document to the Secretary of State. Authentication for a document issued by a Federal agency, such as an Apostille for an FBI background check, must be obtained by submitting to the document to the US Department of State.

Particularly in the case of a Department of State Apostille, using our service expedites the entire process. Rather than you having to mail your documents to the Department office and wait for the Apostille, we submit the request in person, hastening the submission and acceptance process.

If you have questions regarding your particular documents and whether they need an Apostille stamp or other form of legalization, do not hesitate to get in touch with us so we can describe the process and get your request underway.

How to Get an Apostille FBI Background Check the Easy Way

Whether you are moving out of the United States, or are an expat living abdepartment of State Apostilleroad and need to move to a different country, you’ll have to undergo a series of legal procedures to get your documents authenticated. This is done by the entities which issued the documents initially; in your case, the United States Government. Thought of as a lengthy, painful procedure by most, the authentication of documents is generally easier if your destination country is part of the Hague Legalization Convention. Since the treaty, all that is needed is a department of State Apostille on your documents and you are good to go.

What is an Apostille?

The Hague Legalization Convention is in force in 87 countries currently, and through the treaty, the requirement of legalization of documents for foreign public documents has been abolished for countries which are part of the Hague Convention. The authentication process is trimmed down to getting a department of state authentication through the issuance of an Apostille for the documents in question.

The Need for Criminal Background Checks

When heading to a different country for professional reasons, a Criminal Background Check is generally required by foreign governments. The check is basically a ‘rap sheet’ that is issued by the FBI if you have United States citizenship. Of course, whether you are an expat or leaving the United States, all necessary documents must be authenticated, including the FBI-issued Criminal Background Check. Teachers who are looking for ESL teaching opportunities abroad, in particular, often are required to get a department of state Apostille for their Criminal Background Check.

Assuming your destination country is part of the Hague Convention, an Apostille for FBI Background Check will be a requirement. Doing so can be a complicated process, involving various forms and the right fingerprint card, and then finally sending it all to the US Department of State to get an Apostille.

Making it Easy

Nobody would willingly want to endure the whole process of getting their criminal check authenticated. So how can you obtain an Apostille FBI background check the easy way? Simple, employ a reputed document authentication service to do all the grunt work for you! At US Authentication Services, we specialize in a variety of documents verification, authentication, and certification services, including getting an Apostille for FBI background checks in an efficient and reliable manner. All you need to do is send us the documents, and we will wait in all the required lines, obtain the necessary information, and finally deliver your documents, including the Apostille for FBI background checks; all for a nominal fee.

Besides making the process a breeze for you, you also save a ton of time. Normally, the process can take up to several weeks if you go through all the proper channels yourself; but since our offices are based right in Washington DC, we hand-carry your original FBI background check and get an Apostille for Department of State authentication. No matter which part of the world you live in, mail us the necessary documents for expedient authentication and Apostille, and we will send them back to your doorstep as soon as possible.