Orange County Apostille: FBI Background Check Apostille Services

Fast, Compliant, and Reliable Federal Apostille Solutions for International Use

Overview: Apostille for FBI Background Checks

At Orange County Apostille, we specialize in facilitating the federal apostille process for FBI background checks—ensuring your document is authenticated for international use under the Hague Apostille Convention. Whether you are applying for a visa, dual citizenship, international employment, or immigration benefits abroad, we streamline every step so that your FBI background check is properly certified by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

The apostille process for FBI background checks differs from state-level apostilles. Since these reports are issued by a federal agency (Federal Bureau of Investigation), they must be authenticated at the federal level through the U.S. Department of State – Office of Authentications, not through any Secretary of State office.

When You Need an FBI Background Check Apostilled

You will typically need an apostilled FBI background check for the following reasons:

Immigration visas or residency abroad
Foreign employment or teaching programs
Dual citizenship or second passport applications
Long-term stays or student visa programs
Marriage or family reunification visas
Business permits or licensing abroad
Adoption or surrogacy procedures in a foreign country

Each country has specific requirements. If your destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, they will require an apostille. If not, you may require embassy legalization instead (we handle that too—see our Embassy Legalization Services).

Step-by-Step Process to Apostille an FBI Background Check

Step 1: Obtain Your FBI Background Check

To begin, you must request your Identity History Summary directly from the FBI. There are two ways to obtain it:

Option 1: Apply electronically at the FBI-approved channeler portal: https://www.edo.cjis.gov
Option 2: Submit a physical fingerprint card by mail to the FBI

Once approved, you will receive your FBI report in one of the following forms:

Electronic PDF version (downloadable via secure FBI portal)
Original hard copy mailed directly to your address

Important: Only official FBI-issued reports can be apostilled. Third-party background checks from local or state law enforcement agencies are not eligible for federal apostille.

Step 2: Submit the Report to Orange County Apostille

Once you have your FBI background check:

If it’s an electronic PDF, email it to us at [email protected]
If it’s a hard copy, you can drop it off in person or send it via courier or mail to:

Orange County Apostille

17875 Von Karman Ave, Suite 150

Irvine, CA 92614

We will print the PDF (if applicable), prepare the submission, and handle delivery to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Step 3: Authentication by U.S. Department of State

Because your FBI background check is a federal document, only the Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. can issue the apostille certificate.

Our team hand-delivers documents to the State Department through our D.C.-based staff, ensuring:

No delays from mail-in backlogs
Direct communication with federal agencies
Accurate, secure handling with a full chain of custody

Step 4: Receive Your Apostilled Document

Once complete, the apostille will be attached to your original FBI background check by the U.S. Department of State. We then:

Carefully inspect the document to ensure proper certification
Ship the apostilled document to your address via your preferred shipping method (FedEx, UPS, DHL, international courier, etc.)

Processing Time and Fees

Standard Turnaround Time: Approximately 10–15 business days
Rush Service (if available): Contact us directly to check current availability
Service Fee: Contact our office for an up-to-date quote, as pricing varies based on urgency and shipping method

Note: The apostille processing time may vary depending on current State Department workloads and federal holidays.

Why Choose Orange County Apostille?

✅ Experienced Professionals: Our team has years of expertise in federal and international document processing.

✅ D.C.-Based Representatives: We work directly with the U.S. Department of State for faster turnaround.

✅ Secure & Compliant: Every step follows official U.S. government protocols and Hague Convention standards.

✅ Full-Service Support: From document review to final delivery—we handle everything.

✅ Bilingual Support: We provide services in English and Spanish for global accessibility.

Countries That Commonly Require FBI Apostille

We frequently process FBI apostilles for use in the following Hague Convention member countries:

Spain – For student visas and long-term stays
Mexico – For dual citizenship and immigration processes
Italy – For second passport and residency applications
South Korea – For employment and criminal history clearance
Argentina – For family reunification and business permits
Brazil – For work visas and marriage documentation
France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, and more

View the full list of Hague Apostille Convention members: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I apostille a background check from my local police department?

No. Only background checks issued directly by the FBI are eligible for a federal apostille. Local police checks may need notarization and state-level apostille instead.

Q2: How do I get an FBI background check if I live outside the U.S.?

You can apply electronically using the FBI’s portal: https://www.edo.cjis.gov. After receiving the PDF, email it to us for processing.

Q3: Can I submit my background check by email?

Yes. If you received your FBI background check as a PDF, you can email it directly to us at [email protected]. We will print and process it for apostille.

Q4: Do I need to notarize my FBI background check before apostilling?

No. FBI background checks do not need to be notarized. The U.S. Department of State recognizes them as official federal documents.

Q5: What if my destination country is not part of the Hague Convention?

If your document is going to a non-Hague country (like China, UAE, or Egypt), we can assist you with embassy or consulate legalization instead of an apostille. Learn more here.

Ready to Begin?

If you have an FBI background check and need it apostilled for international use, contact Orange County Apostille today:

📍 In-person drop-off: