When it comes to international travel, work, study, adoption, or dual citizenship, many foreign governments require an apostilled FBI background check. This process ensures that your identity history is verified by U.S. federal authorities and recognized abroad under the Hague Apostille Convention. This guide breaks down the process in clear steps and answers all your questions about FBI background check apostilles.

What Is an FBI Background Check?

An FBI background check, officially known as an Identity History Summary, is a document compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It contains information about your arrest history (if any), fingerprint records, and interactions with law enforcement that are stored in the FBI’s central repository.

It’s required by many foreign countries for:

Immigration and visa applications
Permanent residency permits
Work and student visas
International marriage licenses
Dual citizenship verification
Teaching English abroad
Legal proceedings overseas

Why Does It Need to Be Apostilled?

Apostilles are a form of authentication recognized by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. The apostille certifies that the FBI document is genuine and that it was issued by a competent federal authority in the United States.

If you present a background check to a foreign government without an apostille, it is likely to be rejected.

Examples of countries that require apostilled FBI background checks include:

Spain
Portugal
South Korea
Italy
Mexico
Germany
France
Brazil
Ecuador
Argentina

Step-by-Step: How to Get an Apostille for Your FBI Background Check

Step 1: Request Your FBI Background Check

You must first obtain your Identity History Summary from the FBI. There are two main methods:

Option 1: Apply Online (Fastest Method)

Use the FBI’s approved online system:

Visit: https://www.edo.cjis.gov
Complete the application and submit fingerprints
Choose to receive your background check by mail with an original wet-ink signature

Option 2: Apply by Mail

Submit a completed application form, fingerprint card (Form FD-258), and payment to:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

You must request that the report be returned with an ink signature by an FBI Section Chief

Step 2: Verify It Is Eligible for Apostille

The FBI background check must be:

On official FBI letterhead
Signed in wet ink by a Section Chief (not digitally signed)
Recently issued (most countries require it to be issued within 90 days)

If you receive only a digital copy, print it and request a wet-ink signed copy before proceeding to apostille.

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

The U.S. Department of State is the only authority that can apostille federal documents, including FBI background checks.

You will need:

The original signed FBI background check
Form DS-4194 (Authentication Request Form)
A \$20 money order or check payable to “U.S. Department of State”
A prepaid return envelope (FedEx, USPS, or UPS)

Mail your complete package to:

U.S. Department of State
Office of Authentications
600 19th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20006

Processing time:

By mail: 3 to 5 weeks
Expedited (via apostille service): 5 to 10 business days

Step 4: Apostille Received – Now What?

Once you receive the apostilled FBI background check, it will include:

Your original background check
A separate apostille certificate from the U.S. Department of State

This apostilled document is now valid in any Hague Apostille Convention country.

Countries That Commonly Require FBI Apostille Reports

1. Spain

Used for non-lucrative visas, digital nomad visas, and marriage residency applications.

2. Portugal

Required for D7 visas, Golden Visas, and family reunification.

3. South Korea

Needed for teaching jobs and visa extensions.

4. Mexico

Often required for residency or marriage registration.

5. Italy

Used when applying for citizenship by descent or marriage.

Can You Use a Notary for FBI Background Checks?

No. FBI background checks are federal documents. They do not need to be notarized and should not be submitted to a state’s Secretary of State office for apostille.

Only the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. has the authority to apostille federal documents.

What If I Need It Translated?

Most consulates and government agencies in other countries require that the background check be translated into their official language (e.g., Spanish, Portuguese, Italian).

You must:

Use a certified translator
Have the translation notarized
(Sometimes) Apostille the translation itself

At Orange County Apostille, we offer certified translation services in over 90 languages, and we’ll walk you through what each country requires.

FAQs About FBI Apostille Services

Q1: Can I use a digital background check for apostille?

No. The document must be signed in ink by a Section Chief. Digital-only versions are not accepted by the U.S. Department of State.

Q2: How long is the background check valid?

Most countries require the background check to be issued within the last 90 days. Some allow up to 6 months.

Q3: What if I need multiple apostilled copies?

You will need to order multiple original FBI background checks and submit each one for a separate apostille.

Q4: What if I need the background check fast?

Use a professional apostille service (like Orange County Apostille) with a D.C. courier to speed up processing to 5–10 business days.

Q5: What’s the difference between state and federal apostille?

State apostilles are issued by state Secretaries of State (e.g., for birth certificates), while federal apostilles are for documents issued by the U.S. government (like the FBI).

Apostille FBI Background Checks with Orange County Apostille

At Orange County Apostille, we specialize in federal-level apostilles, including FBI background checks. We offer:

Fast processing through our Washington, D.C. office
Step-by-step guidance on ordering your FBI background check
Certified translations and notarizations
Optional expedited shipping and return handling

Whether you’re applying for a visa, work abroad, or registering a marriage overseas, we simplify the complex federal apostille process.

📍 Serving clients across California, New York, Texas, Florida, and all 50 U.S. states.

Ready to Apostille Your FBI Background Check?

🌐 https://orangecountyapostille.org
✉️ Submit your request online – we’ll handle the rest!

Get it done right. Get it done fast. Apostille your FBI background check today.