Apostille your FBI background check.
Your FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document, so it's apostilled by the U.S. Department of State — not a Secretary of State. We channel the check, obtain the federal apostille, and return it ready to use abroad.
- In-house FBI channeling — often same-day
- Federal apostille through the U.S. Dept. of State
- Certified translation coordinated when required
- Tracked return shipping included
Get your free apostille quote
Tell us what you need — a specialist replies with a flat, all-in quote. No obligation.
What is an FBI apostille?
An FBI apostille is a certificate attached to your FBI Identity History Summary — the official FBI background check — that makes it legally recognized in another country belonging to the Hague Apostille Convention.
Because the FBI check is a federal record, only the U.S. Department of State can issue its apostille. State Secretary of State offices cannot authenticate federal documents — sending it to the wrong office is the most common reason these requests are rejected or delayed.
We handle both halves: obtaining the FBI check through an approved channeler, then completing the federal apostille — so your document is accepted the first time.
At a glance
- Document
- FBI Identity History Summary
- Issuing authority
- U.S. Department of State
- Apostille type
- Federal
- We can obtain it
- Yes — FBI-approved channeling
- Translation
- Coordinated when required
- Non-Hague countries
- Embassy legalization
Why your FBI check goes federal
Sending a federal document to a state office is the single most common reason apostilles get rejected. Here's the difference — and where your FBI check fits.
| Document category | Federal documentsYour FBI check | State documents |
|---|---|---|
| Apostilled by | U.S. Department of State | State Secretary of State |
| Issued by | A federal agency — FBI, USCIS, SSA | A state/county office or a notary |
| Examples | FBI background check, naturalization, SSA letters | Birth & marriage certificates, diplomas, POAs |
| Typical turnaround | About 10 business days | Often a few business days |
Your FBI Identity History Summary is a federal record, so it must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. We route it correctly, so it isn't rejected.
From request to apostille, in four steps
- 1
Request your FBI check
We channel your FBI Identity History Summary through an FBI-approved channeler — often the same day — or apostille the one you already hold.
- 2
Federal apostille
We submit it to the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications for the apostille that makes it valid abroad.
- 3
Translation, if required
If your destination country requires it, we coordinate a certified translation of the apostilled document.
- 4
Delivered to you
Your completed, apostilled FBI check ships back tracked — to you or straight to your destination.
For Spain, your apostille often needs a sworn Traductor-Intérprete Jurado translation
For Spanish visa categories that require an FBI background check, the FBI certificate and its federal apostille must be accompanied by an official Spanish translation when required by BLS or the applicable Spanish consulate. That translation must be completed by a qualified Traductor-Intérprete Jurado — a standard or non-compliant translation can cause the application to be delayed, considered incomplete, or rejected.
Apostille Near Me has a MAEC-appointed Traductor-Intérprete Jurado on our international team — so you can coordinate your FBI background check, federal apostille, and official Spanish translation through one trusted service.
What we handle
Everything the FBI apostille needs, in one place
From channeling your FBI check to the federal apostille, certified translation, and legalization — every step handled by one team.
FBI-approved channeling
We obtain your Identity History Summary electronically — usually far faster than mailing the FBI directly.
Federal apostille
Authentication by the U.S. Department of State, the only authority that apostilles federal documents.
Certified translation
Coordinated in-house when your destination country requires a translation alongside the apostille.
Embassy legalization
For countries outside the Hague Convention, we arrange consulate legalization instead of an apostille.
About 10 business days
FBI apostilles through the U.S. Department of State are typically completed in about 10 business days, with a clear timeline up front.
Tracked return shipping
Your originals come back tracked and insured, or ship directly to your destination.
- 50
- U.S. states + D.C. covered
- 132
- Google reviews · 5.0★
- 120+
- Hague countries served
- 2
- San Diego offices
A real, verifiable apostille
Your FBI check comes back with an official apostille certificate attached — accepted in every Hague Convention country and verifiable online. Below is an example (personal details redacted), with what clients say.
“Fantastic service! Frank was really helpful navigating this complex European requirement. Would highly recommend.”
“I needed to apostille a number of documents, for residency abroad, and Apostille Near Me handled everything in a very timely manner. Frank runs a fantastic operation and really cares about his customers.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Apostille Near Me, specifically Frank, and the process couldn't have gone any better. Excellent communication and very professional! I look forward to working with them again in the future.”
“Fast, friendly and great location. Thank you Frank. Highest recommendation.”
Why people apostille an FBI check
- Dual citizenship & residency
- Work or teaching visas abroad
- Immigration & adoption
- Study abroad
- International marriage
- Overseas employment
Turnaround & pricing
Channeling the FBI check is quick — often within a business day. The federal apostille through the U.S. Department of State is typically completed in about 10 business days; we give you a realistic timeline and a flat price up front.
Get a free quoteWhat affects your timeline & cost
Two things drive an FBI apostille: whether you already hold the check, and the Department of State's current processing speed. Here's everything that moves the number — so the quote we give you is realistic, not a teaser.
Do we obtain the check?
If we channel your FBI Identity History Summary, that step is usually same or next business day. If you already hold a valid copy, we start straight at the apostille.
Department of State processing
The federal apostille is the biggest variable — turnaround is set by the U.S. Department of State's current workload, so we quote their live estimate rather than a guess.
Typical timeline
Most FBI apostilles are completed in about 10 business days once we have the check; we confirm the current Department of State estimate up front.
Certified translation
If your destination requires the document in its official language, the coordinated translation adds a little time and cost, handled in the correct order.
Non-Hague destination
Countries outside the Hague Convention need embassy legalization instead — a longer, multi-step chain through their consulate that we manage end to end.
Return shipping
Tracked domestic return is included; international or expedited couriers to your destination are quoted up front, with no markup surprises.
Apostille your FBI check, done right
A flat quote and a realistic timeline within one business day.
FBI apostille questions, answered
Straight answers to what clients ask us most about FBI apostilles. Don't see yours? We're one call away.
What is an FBI apostille?+
An FBI apostille authenticates your FBI Identity History Summary — the official FBI background check — so it is accepted in another country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention. Because the FBI check is a federal document, its apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State, not a state Secretary of State.
Can you obtain my FBI background check for me?+
Yes. We channel your FBI Identity History Summary through an FBI-approved channeler — usually far faster than requesting it directly from the FBI — and then complete the federal apostille in the same process.
Do I send the printed or the electronic FBI check?+
The U.S. Department of State apostilles the official Identity History Summary. We tell you exactly which format to provide, or obtain it for you, so it isn't rejected for the wrong version.
How long does an FBI apostille take?+
Channeling the FBI check is quick, often within a business day, and the federal apostille through the U.S. Department of State is typically completed in about 10 business days. We give you a realistic timeline up front.
How much does an FBI apostille cost?+
It depends on whether we obtain the check for you, the turnaround you need, and any translation. You get a flat, all-in quote before anything moves forward, with no hidden fees, and no obligation.
My destination country isn't in the Hague Convention — can you still help?+
Yes. For non-member countries we arrange embassy or consulate legalization instead of an apostille, and coordinate any required certified translation.
Still have a question? Call us at 1-800-889-7850
Ready to apostille your FBI check?
Tell us your destination country and timeline — a specialist replies within one business day with a flat quote.