How to Apostille an FBI Background Check for International Use

If you’re planning to move abroad, apply for residency, work, study, or get married in a foreign country, you may be asked to submit an FBI background check—and in most cases, that background check must be apostilled.

At Orange County Apostille, we specialize in helping U.S. citizens and residents quickly and correctly apostille FBI background checks through our Washington, D.C. office. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what an FBI background check is, why it needs to be apostilled, how to get one, and what steps to take to ensure it’s accepted overseas.

🔍 What Is an FBI Background Check?

An FBI Identity History Summary (commonly called an FBI background check) is a federal criminal record search compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It lists any arrests, charges, or convictions tied to your fingerprints and federal data records.

This document is often required for:

• Visa and residency applications
• Dual citizenship or naturalization abroad
• Work permits
• International adoption
• Marriages abroad
• Teaching or studying overseas
• Immigration screenings

🔗 FBI Criminal Background Check – Official Website

🌍 Why Do I Need to Apostille an FBI Background Check?

Since your background check is a federal document, it must be authenticated with a federal apostille before it can be legally recognized in a Hague Apostille Convention country (like Spain, Portugal, South Korea, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, etc.).

If the destination country is not a member of the Hague Convention, you’ll need embassy legalization instead.

🔗 U.S. Department of State – Apostille Information

📝 Step-by-Step: How to Apostille an FBI Background Check

✅ Step 1: Request Your Background Check

Use the FBI’s official Identity History Summary Check system (CJIS Division). You can apply in two ways:

Option 1: 

Apply Online

• Visit: https://www.edo.cjis.gov
• Submit fingerprints (via mail or approved live scan partner)
• Select “hard copy” return with wet ink signature
• Typical processing: 3–5 business days

Option 2: 

Apply by Mail

• Submit completed application + fingerprint card (Form FD-258)
• Mail to FBI CJIS Division, Clarksburg, WV
• Include a cover letter requesting the document be signed in ink

✅ Step 2: Confirm Signature Format

To be eligible for a federal apostille, the FBI background check must be signed by a Section Chief on official FBI letterhead.

Digital PDF versions are not acceptable unless printed and properly signed.

✅ Step 3: Apostille the FBI Background Check

Because it is a federal document, the apostille must be issued by the:

U.S. Department of State – Office of Authentications

600 19th Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20006

📬 You must submit:

• The original FBI background check (signed in ink)
• Completed DS-4194 form
• $20 per document
• Prepaid return shipping label (FedEx, UPS, USPS)

🔗 DS-4194 Form – Authentication Request

✅ Step 4: Receive Your Apostilled Background Check

Processing times vary:

• Standard mail-in: 2–4 weeks
• Expedited (via service like ours): 5–10 business days

At Orange County Apostille, we can hand-deliver your FBI background check to the U.S. Department of State through our Washington, D.C. office—cutting processing time significantly.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting digitally signed PDFs (must be wet-ink signed)
• Sending a state-level apostille request (FBI = federal)
• Not including a return shipping label
• Forgetting to use the correct form (DS-4194)
• Sending a document to the wrong agency

🌎 What Countries Require Apostilled FBI Background Checks?

Here are some examples of countries that routinely ask for apostilled FBI reports for visa or residency purposes:

🔗 List of Hague Apostille Countries

🛠️ Our Services – Let Us Handle the Process for You

At Orange County Apostille, we handle every step of the process:

✅ Help you request your FBI background check

✅ Ensure it’s properly signed and formatted

✅ Provide certified translation (if needed)

✅ Apostille your document through our Washington, D.C. location

✅ Ship it back to you securely and quickly

📦 Mail-in and walk-in options available

🕒 Expedited service offered

🌐 Serving clients nationwide and abroad

🔗 Start Your Apostille Request Now

✉️ Need Help Apostilling Your FBI Background Check?

Contact us today for a free document review or immediate help with federal apostille processing. Our experts handle everything so your documents are valid, legal, and recognized in your destination country.

🌐 https://orangecountyapostille.org

📍 Locations in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Washington, D.C.