If you're planning to move abroad, work internationally, apply for dual citizenship, or go through a foreign adoption, there's a good chance you've encountered three words that stopped you in your tracks: FBI background check apostille.
Most people have no idea what this is, why they need it, or how to get one. This guide covers everything — the what, why, how, how long, and how much — so you can move forward with confidence.
An FBI background check apostille is an official authentication of your FBI criminal history results by the U.S. Department of State, making the document legally recognized in 120+ countries under the Hague Convention.
An apostille is a form of international authentication recognized by countries that are members of the Hague Convention of 1961. It's essentially a certification that confirms a document is genuine and was issued by a legitimate government authority.
An FBI background check apostille is a two-step process:
The end result is a document that is legally valid for official use in any of the 120+ Hague Convention member countries. Without the apostille, foreign governments, employers, universities, and adoption agencies will not accept your FBI background check as authentic.
The FBI apostille process involves two federal agencies: the FBI and the U.S. Department of State
You need an FBI background check apostille if you are:
In short — any time a foreign authority needs to verify your U.S. criminal history, they will likely require an apostilled FBI background check.
The apostille is recognized by all 120+ member nations of the Hague Convention. Some of the most common destination countries for our clients include:
| Region | Common Countries | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Portugal | Residency visa, digital nomad visa |
| Eastern Europe | Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Greece | Employment, EU residency |
| Latin America | Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina | Retirement visa, work permit |
| Asia-Pacific | Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand | Skilled worker visa, citizenship |
| Middle East | UAE, Israel, Turkey | Employment, residency |
| Americas | Canada, Costa Rica, Panama | Retirement, dual citizenship |
Countries that are NOT members of the Hague Convention — including China, UAE (for some purposes), and several others — require a different process called embassy legalization or consular authentication rather than an apostille. Contact us and we'll advise you on the correct process for your destination country.
This is the question we get asked most often. The honest answer is that the timeline is set by two federal agencies — the FBI and the U.S. Department of State — and their processing times are not within our control.
| Service Level | Estimated Timeline | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8–10 weeks total | FBI processing (6–8 wks) + Dept. of State (1–2 wks) |
| Expedited | 3–5 weeks total | Priority handling + dedicated case manager |
These timelines are averages based on current federal agency processing rates and are subject to change. We cannot guarantee specific completion dates, as all timelines are ultimately controlled by the FBI and Department of State.
FBI Apostille Group offers two service tiers, both fully all-inclusive — meaning government fees, submission coordination, and return shipping are all covered. There are no hidden charges.
| Service | Price | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Standard FBI Apostille | $275 | Approx. 8–10 weeks |
| Expedited FBI Apostille | $325 | Approx. 3–5 weeks |
Here's the full step-by-step process when you use our service:
Start your FBI apostille process as early as possible. Immigration applications, visa appointments, and adoption timelines can be delayed significantly if your apostilled background check arrives late. We recommend beginning at least 3 months before any deadline if using standard processing.
The FBI will issue your Identity History Summary regardless of whether you have a criminal record. The apostille authenticates the document — it does not alter, hide, or change any of its content.
Whether a criminal record disqualifies you for your specific visa, residency, or employment application depends entirely on the destination country and the type of application. Some countries have strict requirements, while others evaluate on a case-by-case basis. We can advise you on what to expect but cannot change what the FBI reports.
We handle the entire process — mail-in or digital PDF submission accepted. No hidden fees. Serving clients globally.
Start Your Order TodayNo. Our entire process is handled remotely. You can submit documents digitally as a PDF or we send you a fingerprint card by mail. We handle all submissions to the FBI and Department of State on your behalf.
No. We are a private document preparation service and are not affiliated with the FBI, the U.S. Department of State, or any government agency. We assist clients in correctly preparing and submitting documents through official government channels.
Yes — contact us for a custom quote on multi-country packages. Some countries require country-specific formatting and we prepare each version accordingly.
Fingerprint rejection is the most common cause of delays, usually due to poor print quality. We send a new fingerprint card at no additional charge and resubmit your application without any additional service fee.