Don't risk delays — incorrect or incomplete documents are the #1 cause of apostille processing setbacks.
Immigration deadlines, court filing dates, and foreign government requirements are time-sensitive. Submit your documents correctly the first time to avoid costly delays.
Who Needs an FBI Background Check Apostille?
- Immigration visa applicants providing police clearance for foreign consulates or embassies
- Individuals applying for work permits, employment visas, or professional licenses abroad
- Expats seeking permanent residency or long-term stay permits in a foreign country
- International adoption applicants fulfilling home study and background screening requirements
- Healthcare professionals, teachers, and engineers applying for foreign professional credentials
- Anyone relocating abroad who needs federally authenticated proof of criminal history clearance
Required Documents
- Original FBI Identity History Summary (background check results letter)
- Document should be in original condition as received from the FBI
- Government-issued photo ID for identity verification
- Destination country, visa type, and purpose (immigration, employment, residency, adoption, etc.)
Common Causes of Rejection
- FBI background checks have recency requirements — most countries require them to be less than 3–6 months old at time of submission
- State-level criminal background checks cannot substitute for FBI Identity History Summaries in most international cases
- FBI reports must go to the U.S. Department of State — submitting to a state Secretary of State will be rejected
- Non-Hague countries require additional embassy legalization after the federal apostille
- Unofficial or third-party background screening reports are not accepted for federal apostille
Apostille vs. Notarization
A notarization only verifies a signer's identity. An apostille is a government-issued certificate that authenticates a document for international legal use in 120+ Hague Convention countries. Most foreign governments require an apostille — a notarization alone is not sufficient.
How Long Does It Really Take?
State apostilles typically take 3–10 business days. Federal documents (FBI checks) take 4–8 weeks standard. We offer expedited processing that can reduce most state apostilles to 1–3 days. Every order includes real-time status updates.
Have Your Documents Ready?
Submit your documents for apostille processing today. Our team reviews every submission to ensure it meets state and federal requirements — avoiding rejections and unnecessary delays.
Free document review included — we check your documents before processing to prevent rejections.
How the Apostille Process Works
Obtain Your FBI Identity History Summary
Request your report from the FBI by submitting fingerprints electronically through an FBI-approved channeler (fastest method) or by mailing an FD-258 fingerprint card. Processing takes 3–5 days electronically.
Send Original FBI Report to 1Apostille
Forward your original FBI background check results to us. We verify the document meets U.S. Department of State requirements — including format, condition, and recency (many countries require reports less than 6 months old).
U.S. Department of State Federal Apostille
FBI background checks can only be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. We submit, track, and coordinate your document through the entire federal process.
Delivery or Embassy Legalization
Your apostilled FBI report is returned via secure tracked shipping. For non-Hague countries, we can continue processing through embassy or consulate legalization as needed.
Before You Submit — Avoid Delays & Rejections
What We Accept
- • Original or certified copies only
- • Documents with official seals/stamps
- • Properly notarized documents
- • Government-issued vital records
- • Active, non-expired documents
Common Rejections
- • Photocopies or scans (no originals)
- • Hospital birth certificates
- • Decorative/commemorative certificates
- • Unsigned or unnotarized documents
- • Foreign-issued documents
How to Avoid Delays
- • Include destination country details
- • Verify document recency requirements
- • Use certified copies, not originals you can't replace
- • Include all pages of multi-page documents
- • Request rush processing for tight deadlines
Not sure if your document qualifies? Submit it and our team will review it for free — we'll let you know before processing.
Not sure where to start? Contact us and we'll walk you through the requirements for your specific document and destination country.
Start Apostille OrderFrequently Asked Questions
Why does an FBI background check require a federal apostille instead of a state apostille?+
How do I request an FBI background check for apostille?+
How recent must an FBI background check be for apostille?+
Can I apostille a state criminal background check instead of an FBI check?+
Do I need embassy legalization after the FBI apostille?+
Can I apostille an FBI background check for USCIS immigration filings?+
Why Choose 1Apostille
All 50 States
Nationwide coverage — we process apostilles from every U.S. state and the federal government.
Immigration Experts
Thousands of immigration documents processed for USCIS, consulates, and foreign agencies.
Transparent Process
Real-time order tracking, upfront pricing, and clear timelines — no surprises.
Document Care
Every document is handled securely with tracking, insurance, and careful processing.
Don't Wait — Start Your Apostille Order Today
Immigration deadlines, court filings, and international requirements don't wait. Our team processes thousands of apostille orders every year — let us handle yours.