Trusted Apostille Services for International Use – Orange County Apostille
At Orange County Apostille, we specialize in obtaining apostilles for federal documents, including FBI background checks, which are commonly required for international employment, immigration, adoption, marriage, dual citizenship, and long-term visa applications. If you’re planning to use your FBI background check abroad, proper authentication through a federal apostille is essential for your document to be legally recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
This guide outlines the complete process, document requirements, and how our team ensures a smooth and expedited experience from start to finish.
Why Apostille an FBI Background Check?
An FBI background check is a federally issued document—not issued by a state authority—which means it must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. rather than the California Secretary of State. These documents are often required by foreign governments for:
- Employment visas
- Residence permits
- Foreign teacher placements
- Citizenship and immigration applications
- International adoptions
- Marital status documentation
Countries such as Spain, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, and Germany will often request an apostilled FBI background check to verify criminal history (or lack thereof) when processing long-term visa or citizenship applications.
Step-by-Step Process for Apostilling FBI Background Checks
At Orange County Apostille, we manage the entire process for you from our offices in Orange County, California, through our federal processing team in Washington, D.C. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Obtain Your FBI Background Check
Your background check must be issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). There are two acceptable formats:
- Digital PDF version: Delivered electronically via email. This is the most common and fastest format.
- Hard copy: Mailed directly to you by the FBI on official paper with a seal and signature.
If you haven’t obtained your background check yet, you can request it directly from the FBI or through an approved FBI Channeler. Visit the FBI Identity History Summary Checks page:
🔗 FBI Background Check Request Instructions
Step 2: Submit Your Document to Orange County Apostille
Once you receive your FBI background check:
- If digital: Email the official PDF to us.
- If hard copy: Mail or drop it off at our office in Irvine or one of our other Southern California locations.
We will review the document for eligibility, then forward it for federal apostille.
Mailing Address:
Orange County Apostille
17875 Von Karman Ave, Suite 150
Irvine, CA 92614
Step 3: Federal Apostille from U.S. Department of State
Because FBI background checks are federal documents, they must be authenticated at the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.. Our office handles the following:
- Submitting the document in-person or by courier to the State Department
- Monitoring its status and ensuring proper processing
- Retrieving the apostilled document once completed
Typical processing time is 12–18 business days, but expedited options may be available for certain cases.
Step 4: Return Delivery
Once the apostille is complete, we securely return your document via:
- Priority Mail (USPS)
- FedEx/UPS Overnight
- International DHL Shipping (for clients living abroad)
We provide tracking and delivery confirmation for every order.
Why Use Orange County Apostille?
Our team has years of experience handling sensitive federal documents, and we maintain direct relationships with federal offices in Washington, D.C. We eliminate delays and errors by ensuring your FBI background check is:
- Reviewed for compliance before submission
- Processed by hand through direct channels
- Returned promptly and securely
We serve clients locally in Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, and nationwide through our mail-in services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.
Can California apostille an FBI background check?
No. FBI background checks are federal documents, and only the U.S. Department of State can issue apostilles for them. The California Secretary of State has no authority over federally issued documents.
2.
How long does it take to apostille an FBI background check?
Standard processing takes 12–18 business days from the time the document is received at the U.S. Department of State. Expedited options may be available upon request.
3.
Can I email you the FBI background check?
Yes, if you received your background check as a PDF via email from the FBI, we can accept the official digital copy and begin the apostille process immediately.
4.
What countries accept apostilled FBI background checks?
Countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention will accept apostilled FBI background checks. View the list here:
🔗 Hague Apostille Convention Members
5.
Do you offer translation services as well?
Yes, we provide certified translations in over 90 languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Korean, and Chinese, to meet embassy or consular submission requirements.
Countries That Commonly Require Apostilled FBI Background Checks
- Spain – for non-lucrative visa or student visa
- Italy – for residency or marriage
- South Korea – for E-2 teaching visa
- Mexico – for dual citizenship or immigration
- Brazil – for legal residency applications
- China – for Z-work visa (requires consular legalization, not apostille)
- France, Germany, Argentina, Japan, and many others
For countries not in the Hague Convention, such as China or UAE, we can assist with embassy or consular legalization instead of apostille.
Apostille vs. Authentication – What’s the Difference?
- Apostille: For countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention
- Authentication + Legalization: For non-Hague countries, such as Qatar, UAE, Vietnam, Lebanon, or Kuwait. We provide both services and can guide you to the correct one based on your destination country.
Learn more:
🔗 Embassy Legalization Services – Orange County Apostille
Start Your Order Today
If you need to apostille an FBI background check, we’re ready to help. Whether you’re in California or living abroad, you can rely on our professional team for fast, accurate, and compliant service.
Contact us or upload your documents now:
🔗 https://orangecountyapostille.org
📍 In-person drop-offs available in Irvine, Anaheim, San Juan Capistrano, and Century City
Additional Resources
- 🔗 FBI Identity History Summary Checks – Official FBI Website
- 🔗 U.S. Department of State Apostille Services
- 🔗 The Hague Apostille Convention
- 🔗 U.S. Embassy & Consulate Legalization List