Millions of Americans are eligible for citizenship in another country — through ancestry, marriage, long-term residency, or naturalization. No matter which path you're taking, one document requirement appears in almost every citizenship application: an apostilled FBI background check.
This guide explains which countries require an FBI apostille for citizenship, what "citizenship by descent" applicants need to know, and how to get your documents prepared correctly.
Foreign governments require an FBI background check apostille to verify that citizenship applicants do not have a serious criminal history. The apostille confirms to the foreign government that the document is a genuine U.S. federal record — not a forgery or a state-level document.
| Country | Citizenship Path | FBI Apostille Required? | Translation? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Jure Sanguinis (ancestry) | Yes | Italian (varies by consulate) |
| Ireland | Foreign Births Register | Yes | Not required |
| Portugal | Naturalization, ancestry | Yes | Portuguese required |
| Spain | Naturalization, ancestry | Yes | Spanish required |
| Germany | Restoration of citizenship | Yes | German required |
| Mexico | Naturalization | Yes | Usually not required |
| Brazil | Naturalization | Yes | Portuguese required |
| Colombia | Naturalization | Yes | Spanish recommended |
| Israel | Law of Return / aliyah | Yes | Not required |
| Greece | Ancestry, naturalization | Yes | Greek required |
Citizenship by descent — also known as jure sanguinis ("right of blood") in legal terminology — allows Americans to claim citizenship in a country where their parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents were citizens. Italy, Ireland, Germany, Poland, and many other European countries have these programs.
These applications are typically more complex than naturalization applications and often require an FBI apostille for each adult applicant in the household, not just the primary applicant.
Italy's ancestry citizenship program is one of the most sought-after in the world. The Italian consulate typically requires:
Americans with an Irish parent or grandparent born in Ireland can register in the Foreign Births Register. The Department of Foreign Affairs requires an FBI Identity History Summary with a U.S. Department of State apostille. Ireland does not require translation — English documents are accepted.
Americans making aliyah (immigrating to Israel under the Law of Return) must provide a background check as part of the application. The FBI Identity History Summary with a U.S. apostille satisfies this requirement. Translation to Hebrew is not required — English is accepted by the Jewish Agency.
Citizenship by descent applications can take months or even years to process. The FBI apostille, however, is typically only valid for 6–12 months in the eyes of the receiving country. This means some applicants need to get their apostille re-issued during the application process if things take longer than expected. Plan accordingly.
The processing timeline is the same regardless of the intended use:
For citizenship applications, we almost always recommend expedited service — citizenship processes often have deadlines or appointment windows, and having your apostille ready well in advance reduces stress significantly.
In most cases, yes. If both spouses are applying for citizenship (or residency as a pathway to citizenship), foreign governments typically require a separate apostilled FBI background check for each adult applicant. This is true even if one spouse is the primary applicant through ancestry and the other is applying as a family member.
We offer a discount for multiple applications submitted together — contact us for details.
The FBI will issue your Identity History Summary regardless of your criminal history. The apostille authenticates the document — it does not alter or omit any records.
Whether a criminal record affects your citizenship eligibility depends entirely on the destination country and the nature of the offense. Most European countries disqualify applicants with recent serious convictions but make exceptions for older, minor offenses. We can advise you on what to expect, but cannot change what the FBI reports or how the receiving country evaluates it.
We prepare FBI apostille documents for citizenship applications worldwide. Mail-in or digital PDF submission accepted. All fees all-inclusive — no hidden charges.
Start Your Order TodayIt depends on how old it is and which country you're applying to. Most countries require the document to be issued within 6 months of your application or appointment. If your document is older than this, you'll need to request a new one.
Minor children are typically exempt from background check requirements, though this varies by country. Adults (18+) in the application are almost always required to provide their own apostilled background check. Contact us with your specific situation and we'll advise you.
No. For citizenship applications, foreign governments specifically require the federal FBI Identity History Summary, not a state-level background check. The FBI document covers your entire nationwide criminal history and is considered more comprehensive and authoritative.