How to Get an FBI Background Check Apostille for Use Abroad

What Is an FBI Background Check Apostille?

An apostille is a certificate that verifies the origin of a public document so it can be recognized in another country. The FBI background check is issued by a federal agency, so the apostille must be issued by the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications. This is different from state-issued documents like birth certificates or marriage certificates, which are apostilled by the Secretary of State in the state that issued them.

You typically need an apostilled FBI background check when you are:

• Applying for a visa or residency permit abroad
• Seeking dual citizenship or citizenship by descent
• Teaching English or working overseas
• Adopting a child internationally
• Getting married in a foreign country
• Applying for a professional license abroad

Step 1: Get Your FBI Background Check

Before you can apostille anything, you need the actual FBI background check document. The most common and fastest route is to use an FBI-approved channeler.

Option A: FBI-Approved Channeler (Recommended)

FBI-approved channelers are private companies authorized to collect fingerprints and submit them to the FBI on your behalf. This is typically the fastest option.

• Submit fingerprints electronically at a participating location
• Receive a digital PDF of your background check within 24–72 hours in many cases
• Request a mailed hard copy if your destination country requires it
• Keep the document clean and unaltered

Option B: Direct FBI Request

You can also request your Identity History Summary directly from the FBI.

• Complete the FBI application form online or by mail
• Get fingerprinted on an official FD-258 fingerprint card
• Mail your fingerprints and payment to the FBI
• Wait several weeks for processing

Important tips

• Use the right fingerprint format. Most channelers and FBI submissions require a specific fingerprint format. Double-check with your channeler or the FBI instructions.
• Request a colored PDF if possible. Some countries prefer or require a colored background check, especially for residency applications.
• Keep the document recent. Many countries require the background check to be issued within the last 3–6 months.

Step 2: Prepare the Document for Apostille

Once you have your FBI background check, the next step is to prepare it correctly for apostille submission. The U.S. Department of State is strict about the documents it accepts.

What you need

• The original FBI background check or a certified true copy from the FBI
• A completed apostille request form (DS-4194 if submitting directly to the Department of State)
• A cover letter or request for authentication
• Payment for the apostille fee
• A prepaid return shipping label or envelope

Common mistakes to avoid

• Do not sign or notarize the FBI check yourself. The apostille is based on the signature and seal of the issuing federal official, not your own signature.
• Do not laminate the document. Laminated documents are often rejected because they cannot be verified or stamped.
• Do not use a photocopy unless it is certified. A plain photocopy is not acceptable for apostille.

Step 3: Submit to the U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. is the only authority that can apostille a federal document like an FBI background check.

By mail

• Mail your document, form, payment, and return shipping to the U.S. Department of State
• Standard processing by mail is currently averaging 5–8 weeks
• Include a trackable return mailer so you can confirm delivery

In-person

• You can submit documents in person at the Department of State's authentication office in Washington, D.C.
• Walk-in service is limited and may require an appointment
• Processing time is generally faster than mail but still involves waiting

Through a professional service

Many applicants use an apostille service company to handle the submission. This is useful if you are overseas, have a deadline, or want to avoid the paperwork errors that cause rejection. A professional service can:

• Review your documents for completeness
• Submit to the Department of State on your behalf
• Provide tracking and status updates
• Return the apostilled document via secure shipping

Step 4: Receive and Verify Your Apostille

When your apostille is complete, you will receive your FBI background check with the apostille certificate attached. The apostille is a separate page that includes:

• The country name (United States of America)
• The name of the public official who signed the document
• The title or capacity of that official
• The name of the issuing authority
• The place of issue
• The date of issue
• A unique identification number
• The seal or stamp of the issuing authority

Check the apostille carefully to make sure your name and the document details match exactly. Any discrepancy could cause rejection by the foreign authority receiving it.

Timeline: How Long the Process Takes

If your move or visa deadline is approaching, plan backward from your deadline and allow extra buffer time for mail transit and any corrections.

DIY vs. Using Global Felicity Group

DIY route

• You manage fingerprinting, FBI submission, and Department of State submission yourself
• Lower upfront cost but higher risk of delays from paperwork errors
• No support if something is rejected or lost in the mail
• Requires you to be in the U.S. or coordinate from abroad

With Global Felicity Group

• We review your documents before submission
• We handle the U.S. Department of State apostille process on your behalf
• Expedited processing options are available
• Secure shipping with tracking and delivery confirmation
• Real-time status updates and human support