Frequently Asked Questions
You may have questions about how to get your FBI report and how to get an apostille.
That’s why we’ve provided you with this list of questions and answers. If you cannot find the answer to your question or doubt, feel free to contact us.
Questions about obtaining FBI report
First of all, you should know that you will need to obtain your report from the FBI before we can process your apostille.
Can you obtain my FBI report for me?
No, you need to contact an FBI channeler and get fingerprinted.
Where can I have my fingerprints taken?
We recommend that you visit a LiveScan center to have your fingerprints electronically taken.
How long does an FBI background check take?
Usually, the FBI background checks are ready in 5 business days, depending on your channeler.
What information is included in the FBI report?
An FBI Criminal Record Report contains a listing of information saved by the FBI, including military service, federal employment, and arrest history, whether you served time or charges were dismissed.
What is a channeler?
The FBI has named a select few private companies to help expedite the otherwise lengthy background check getting process. These companies are called channelers.
Can I check on the status of my FBI background check?
Yes, please contact your channeler.
Where to apostille FBI background check?
In-person
Step 1 - Complete Form DS-4194 to obtain an apostille from the U.S. Department of State (USDOS)
Step 2 - Visit the USDOS in person with your request:
U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications
600 19th St NW
Washington, DC 20006
Open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Make sure to include:
- Completed Form DS-4194
- Money order for $8
Remember:
The processing time for walk-in requests is 5 business days.
You will need to return in person to pick up your apostilled documents.
By-mail
Step 1 - Complete Form DS-4194 to obtain an apostille from the U.S. Department of State (USDOS)
Step 2 - Send by mail your request directly to the USDOS:
U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications
44132 Mercure Cir,
PO Box 1206
Sterling, VA 20166
Make sure to include:
- Completed Form DS-4194
- Money order for $8
- A self-addressed, prepaid envelope
Remember:
The processing time for mail-in requests is 17 business days.
Start counting from the day the U.S. Department of State mailroom receives your apostille order.
Questions about obtaining FBI apostille
Once you have obtained the FBI report, we are ready to process your apostille.
I’m interested in getting my FBI report with The Hague Apostille Certificate.
We will be happy to assist you. Please fill out the apostille order form HERE
What is an apostille for an FBI background check?
An apostille is a French word that means 'official certification'. The apostille is simply the name of a specialized certificate issued by the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C., to authenticate the legitimacy of a report, in this case, the FBI background check.
The apostille is attached to the FBI report to verify that it is real and authentic, so that it is acceptable in one of the member countries of the Hague Apostille.
We recommend that you read this longer article about what an apostille is.
How to apostille my FBI background check?
3 easy steps to order an apostille for your FBI report:
Step 1: Your first step is obtaining your FBI report or FBI background check. Contact an FBI Approved Channeler. (List of the Approved Channelers).
Step 2: The FBI Channeler will email you your background check results in PDF format. Please make sure to download and save the PDF file to your computer.
Step 3: You are now ready to place your FBI apostille! ORDER HERE.
Why do I need to apostille my FBI background check?
The apostille is a document that certifies the legality of the document that accompanies, in this case, the FBI background check. The apostille is a separate document that is attached to the FBI background check to verify that it is real and authentic.
If you’re planning to obtain new or dual citizenship, live or work in a foreign country who is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you will need to present an FBI background check with an apostille.
You will only need an apostille if the country in which the document is a member of the Apostille Hague Convention.
(See updated list below)
Moreover, in this article we explain in more detail why you need to apostille your FBI background check.
How long does an FBI background check apostille take?
Apostilles are ready in 5 business days.
*COVID-19 update: due to the pandemic, the turnaround time is up to 4-5 weeks.
Who issues the apostille?
The U.S. Department State issues apostilles for FBI reports. The apostille refers to the name and signature of a division official listed on the results.
How much do you charge?
Our fee is $200 per apostille. It includes the fees paid to the government agency and our service fee.
Domestic shipping is free.
International shipping is $45
Forms of payment?
We accept PayPal, all major credit, and debit cards.
Can you apostille a PDF version of the report?
Yes, your channeler service provider will email you the background reports in PDF form. Please note that the U.S. Department of State accepts PDF versions for Apostille purposes.
NO NEED TO SEND A PAPER REPORT.
Can I do it myself, instead of paying you to do it?
Yes, we have prepared a FREE detailed do-it-yourself guide. Great solution if you are not in a rush and want to learn the process.
Otherwise, if you need, we will be very happy to assist you.
How old can my FBI authentication letter be to be accepted by the U.S. Department of State for an Apostille?
Your FBI authentication report should not be more than three months old, or the U.S. Department of State will reject the apostille request.
Many countries will reject your report if it’s three or more months old.
To avoid any potential problems, we recommend that you have your document apostilled with us as soon as you receive the PDF file by email. Once complete, forward the apostille to the requesting country.
Do I need an apostille or embassy legalization?
If the destination country requesting your FBI Background report is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, then you need legalization at the Embassy. Documents going to a Non-Hague Apostille Member country will receive a certification. (not an apostille)
Which countries are members of the Apostille Hague Convention?
A:
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.
B:
Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi.
C:
Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic.
D:
Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic.
E:
Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia.
F:
Fiji, Finland, France.
G:
Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana.
H:
Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary.
I:
Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy.
J:
Japan, Kazakhstan.
K:
Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan.
L:
Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.
M:
Macau, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco.
N:
Namibia, Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, North Macedonia, Norway.
O:
Oman.
P:
Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal.
R:
Romania, Russia.
S:
Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland.
T:
Tajikistan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.
U:
United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan.
V:
Vanuatu, Venezuela.
Updated February 2020 Source: Wikipedia
Can I check on the status of my FBI background check apostille?
Yes, please contact us with your apostille order number.
Can you tell me more about your company before I place my order?
We at Apostille.net have been offering apostilles services for over 20 years. We have apostilled thousands of FBI apostilles.
I have a question not answered above, can you help me?
Yes, of course we can.
You can WhatsApp us and we will help you as soon as possible.