What Is an FBI Background Check Apostille?

An FBI background check apostille is an authentication certificate issued by the U.S. Department of State that validates the authenticity of your FBI Identity History Summary for use in foreign countries. This document is commonly referred to as an FBI rap sheet, FBI criminal background check, or FBI clearance letter.

If you are relocating abroad, applying for a work visa, seeking residency, or pursuing international adoption, many foreign governments require an apostilled FBI background check as part of their documentation requirements. Federal Apostille and Notary Processing handles the entire preparation, submission, and coordination process with the Department of State on your behalf.

ⓘ Why Use Federal Apostille and Notary Processing?

We are an independent document processing service based in Washington, D.C. that specializes in federal apostilles. All federal apostilles are issued exclusively by the U.S. Department of State — we prepare your documents, submit them on your behalf, and coordinate the process so you don't have to navigate the bureaucracy alone. Our office is located at 400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, steps from where your documents are processed.

Who Needs an FBI Background Check Apostille?

An apostilled FBI background check is frequently required for the following purposes:

  • Immigration and residency applications — Many countries require proof of a clean criminal record for visa and residency permit applications
  • International employment — Employers abroad may request an authenticated background check before finalizing job offers
  • International adoption — Adoption agencies and foreign courts often require apostilled FBI checks from prospective parents
  • Foreign marriage applications — Certain countries require criminal background clearance as part of the marriage process
  • Study abroad programs — Some educational institutions and government agencies require criminal history verification
  • Business licensing abroad — Starting or investing in a business in a foreign country may require an authenticated background check

Our Pricing

Our FBI background check apostille service is $120 per document. This fee covers our complete end-to-end service: document review, preparation, submission to the U.S. Department of State, and return of your apostilled document. No hidden fees, no surprises.

💰 Service Fee: $120 Per Document

Our flat rate of $120 per document includes document review, preparation, submission to the Department of State, and return shipping. You can submit your federal documents by uploading online, mailing them in, or bringing them in person to our Washington, D.C. office.

How to Submit Your Documents

Federal Apostille and Notary Processing offers three convenient ways to submit your FBI background check for apostille processing:

  • Upload Online — Complete our online application form and upload your documents digitally for the fastest way to get started
  • Mail In — Send your original documents by mail to our office at 400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004. We recommend using a trackable shipping method (USPS Priority, FedEx, or UPS)
  • Bring In Person — Visit our Washington, D.C. office at 400 8th St NW, DC 20004 and drop off your documents directly. We are available 24/7

How Our FBI Apostille Process Works

When you work with Federal Apostille and Notary Processing, we handle the complex parts so you don't have to. Our service is $120 per document. Here's how our process works:

  1. Submit Your Documents Upload your documents online through our application form, mail them to our office at 400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, or bring them in person. You can also call us at (760) 469-2997 or email submissions@federalapostille.org. We are available 24/7.
  2. We Review Your Documents Our team reviews your FBI Identity History Summary to confirm it meets the Department of State's requirements — including proper signatures, seals, and that the original document (not a copy) is present. We identify any issues before submission to prevent delays.
  3. We Prepare Your Submission Package We complete all required paperwork and assemble your submission for the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C., ensuring everything is accurate and complete.
  4. We Submit to the U.S. Department of State Because we are based in Washington, D.C. at 400 8th St NW, we coordinate directly with the Department of State's Office of Authentications to submit your documents for apostille processing.
  5. You Receive Your Apostilled Document Once the Department of State issues the apostille certificate and attaches it to your FBI report, we return the completed document to you, ready for international use in any Hague Convention member country.

🕑 Don't Navigate the Bureaucracy Alone

The Department of State's standard processing takes 4–8 weeks. Errors in your submission — wrong forms, missing signatures, photocopies instead of originals — can result in your documents being returned and weeks of additional delay. Our team ensures your submission is correct the first time. Contact us to discuss your timeline.

Our Full Range of Services

FBI background check apostilles are one of our core services. Federal Apostille and Notary Processing also offers:

ServiceDescription
Federal ApostilleApostille processing for all U.S. federal documents through the Department of State — FBI checks, naturalization certificates, federal court documents, military records (DD-214), SSA letters, USPTO records, and federal name change petitions
Notary PublicProfessional notary public services for documents that require notarization before or alongside apostille processing
Certified / Sworn TranslationCertified translations for countries that require your apostilled documents to be translated into their official language
Embassy LegalizationFor countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention, we coordinate embassy legalization through the appropriate foreign embassy or consulate

Important Requirements for FBI Apostille

  • The original FBI report must be submitted — the Department of State does not accept photocopies or digital printouts
  • The FBI report must be signed by the FBI Section Chief and bear the official FBI seal to be eligible for apostille
  • Reports obtained through FBI-approved channelers are accepted, provided they bear the official FBI seal and signature
  • Some countries may require a certified translation of the apostilled document — we offer this as an additional service
  • Non-Hague Convention countries may require embassy legalization instead of or in addition to an apostille — we coordinate this as well

ⓘ Need Help Obtaining Your FBI Background Check?

If you haven't yet obtained your FBI Identity History Summary, you can submit your fingerprints through an FBI-approved channeler (typically 3–5 business days) or directly to the FBI's CJIS Division (12–16 weeks by mail). Contact our team at (760) 469-2997 and we can guide you through this step as well.