How to Apostille an FBI Background Check
A plain-language walkthrough of every step — from ordering your FBI report to receiving your apostilled document, ready for use abroad.
Fastest Route
Valid In
124+ Countries
Issued By
Service Area
Washington, DC
What You're Actually Doing — and Why It Takes Two Steps
Getting an apostille on your FBI background check is a two-part process. First, you obtain the FBI report itself. Then, separately, you submit that report to the U.S. Department of State to receive the apostille certificate that makes it legally valid abroad.
The apostille does not change or certify the contents of your background check — it simply authenticates the FBI Director’s signature on the document, so foreign governments know it’s genuine.
Before you begin, you will need
- A valid form of ID (passport or driver's license)
- Your fingerprints taken on an FBI-approved card or electronically
- Payment for the FBI report fee (~$18) and the Dept. of State apostille fee ($20)
- The destination country where the document will be used
Step-by-Step: How to Apostille an FBI Background Check
Follow these steps in order. Each stage must be completed before the next can begin.
1
FBI Report
Get Your Fingerprints Taken
Your FBI background check is based on your fingerprints — not your name. You’ll need to have your fingerprints captured on a standard FD-258 fingerprint card (the blue card) or electronically through an FBI-approved channeler.
Fingerprinting locations include local police stations, UPS stores, IdentoGO enrollment centers, and many notary offices. If you’re outside the U.S., U.S. embassies can fingerprint American citizens abroad.
2
FBI Report
Submit Your Fingerprints to the FBI
There are two ways to submit: directly to the FBI by mail, or through an FBI-approved channeler electronically. The mail route takes 10–14 weeks. The channeler route takes 3–5 business days.
We strongly recommend the channeler route. The most common ones are IdentoGO, Accurate Biometrics, and the FBI’s own online submission portal. The fee is approximately $18.
Important: Make sure the report is sent to you digitally or by mail — not directly to a third party. You will need the original report to submit for apostille.
3
Apostille
Print & Prepare Your FBI Report
Once you receive your FBI Identity History Summary, it must be printed in a specific format before it can be submitted to the U.S. Department of State. The document cannot be handwritten, altered, or have any corrections made to it.
This is where many people make costly mistakes — incorrect paper size, missing pages, or improper formatting can result in rejection. We handle this preparation for every client to ensure first-time approval.
4
Apostille
Submit to the U.S. Department of State
The apostille is issued exclusively by the U.S. Department of State — no other agency can provide it for federal documents. You (or a courier on your behalf) must submit the printed FBI report along with a completed apostille request form and the $20 per-document fee.
Submissions can be made by mail or in person. In-person submission at the Dept. of State’s Washington, DC office is significantly faster — and is the method we use for every client.
Our advantage: We are located steps from the U.S. Department of State. We submit in person and can often secure same-day or next-business-day processing.
5
Apostille
Return to the Dept. of State to Retrieve Your Document
After the apostille is processed, the document must be physically retrieved from the Department of State. This means a second trip — one to drop off, one to pick up. For anyone not based in Washington, DC, this requires either two separate mail trips (adding weeks) or a courier service that handles both visits.
We make both trips on your behalf. Drop-off and retrieval are built into every package we offer — no extra fees, no surprises.
6
Delivery
Receive Your Apostilled Document
Your completed FBI background check — now bearing the official U.S. Department of State apostille certificate — is ready for international use. We ship domestically and internationally via tracked courier.
The apostilled document is accepted in all 124 Hague Convention member countries. If your destination country requires a translation, we can arrange certified translation through our partner network.
Final check: Confirm with your destination country’s embassy or consulate that they accept a federal-level apostille. Some countries require state-level apostilles for certain document types.
How Long Does It Take?
The route you choose makes an enormous difference. Here’s a side-by-side comparison.
DIY — Mail Only
The Slow Route
10–14 weeks
6–8 weeks
1–2 weeks
Total estimate
4–6 months
With Our Concierge Service
The Fast Route
3–5 days
1–5 days
1–5 days
Total estimate
4–6 months
Why Use a DC-Based Courier?
Anyone can mail documents to the Department of State. Here’s what makes working with a courier in Washington, DC different.
We Are Steps from the Dept. of State
No transit delays, no lost mail. We submit in person and retrieve in person — the fastest legally available apostille turnaround.
Zero Formatting Errors
Rejections happen because of document preparation mistakes. We know the exact format required and prepare every document to spec before submission.
Country-Specific Guidance
Requirements vary by country. We advise on exactly what your destination requires so you don't order the wrong document or miss a requirement.
End-to-End Service
From helping you order your FBI report to shipping your apostilled document internationally — we manage every step so you don't have to.
Ready to Get Your FBI Apostille?
Tell us where you’re headed. We’ll handle every step and have your document ready faster than any mail-in service.