3 Options to Request a Federal Apostille for an FBI Background Check or FBI Report Apostille (7-10 Business Days, December 2024)
Every day, my small team and I receive requests to translate FBI Criminal Background Checks for study abroad, residency abroad, non-lucrative visas (NLV), Spanish golden visas, NALCAP, and other consular visa processing requests; however, few have experience obtaining an apostille, also known as a Hague Apostille or Haye Apostille, or already have the required US Department of State apostille from the Federal Government. We are here to help and are able to request FBI apostille services on your behalf. FBI background check apostilles are required in Spain, South Korea, Portugal (Portuguese Golden Visa), Israel, Croatia, France, Austria and often required in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Argentina, and other parts of Latin America. If unsure if an apostille is required, double check with the requesting consulate or you can always order an FBI report apostille. Additionally, we translate FBI Background Checks (also known as an FBI Rap Sheet Apostille, Identification History Summary Apostille, or IdHS Apostille) in only a few hours and return by USPS, FedEx, or DHL (US Based Certified Translation and Sworn Translation). If you just need to know how to get an apostille for an FBI background check, I will explain the entire apostille process and all options in detail along with frequently asked questions regarding the FBI background check authentication process. Additionally, we are able to order a federal apostille of your behalf, and using our FBI report apostille services will expedite the process from start to finish as we personally drop off documents daily at the Federal Authentications Office. Our process is much faster, more streamlined, and always more reliable than other apostille service providers.
“Always here to help. Call, text, email anytime.” Dan Hickman, Ph.D.
Summary: Dan Hickman, Ph.D. (former college professor of Spanish, 20+ years) and his very small team have processed state and federal apostilles and authentications for over eighteen years, and his process is second to none. If you need advice or would like us to take care of the entire process, just let us know as we are always glad to help.
How to Order an FBI Background Check Apostille: Current as of December 2024
- Mail: Order on your own, request by mail: 5+ Weeks (Department of State’s estimate in 2024)
- Emergency Orders: Same-day service in DC. This is only allowed with a documented, life-or-death emergency and must be approved in advance by the the Federal Office of Authentications
- Walk-Ins: Federal apostille service providers, like us: 7 to 10 business days (2.5 weeks) on average (as of December 2024)
- We receive apostilles more quickly by dropping off background checks in-person in DC daily.
- We review all documents, use the same shipping labels, procedures, DS4194 forms, payments daily; our federal apostille orders are never rejected, period.
- We are a small, experienced team and have been together for over eighteen years.
- We do not outsource any part of the process: customer service, shipping, payments.
- We confirm all shipping addresses before sending to you, and we are able to ship worldwide.
- We are here to help. If you just need assistance ordering on your own, we will be glad to help.
Note: Requesting a State Apostille for an FBI Background Check (valid only in extremely rare cases) is never recommend. We never endorse or suggest this option and no longer provide this service; it was somewhat acceptable years ago, in 2020, but not so much now. Be aware that some agencies will order a state-level apostille or Hague stamp without telling you, which is very likely to be rejected. If an apostille expediter tells you they can obtain a federal apostille in a week or less, they are ordering a state apostille, not a federal apostille from the Federal Authentications Office in Washington DC. Stay away from this practice as it is very rarely accepted for by any country, worldwide.
Questions? Call, email: info@sespanish.com (877) 374-0095 (office), (865) 777-1177 (international calls)
Ready to Get Started? Our Expedited FBI Apostille Services are Faster, Better, More Reliable, Guaranteed. Sworn and Certified Translation Available.
I need to translate an FBI Background Check & Apostille: Certified Translation: $69
(Order US Based Certified, Notarized Translation Only)
I need to translate an FBI Background Check & Apostille: Sworn Translation for Spain: $99
(Order Sworn Translation for Spain Only)
We have three service level for Federal Apostille processing for an FBI Background Check: $95 to $195, including all fees.
(Expedited: Order Federal Apostille for an FBI Background Check, Expedited Service, $195, 7-10 Business Days, 2.5 Weeks)
(Standard: Order Federal Apostille for an FBI Background Check, Standard Service, $150, Around 3-4 Weeks)
(Economy: Order Federal Apostille for an FBI Background Check, Economy Service, $95, Around 5 Weeks)
Additional Packages for Spain only: bundled Sworn Translation, Apostille Options. See below:
(Order Bundled Sworn Translation and Federal Apostille Services for Spain Only)
I need a federal apostille for my background check, certified translation to Spanish, French or Portuguese and a second apostille for the translation:
(Apostilled translation required in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and a few other countries. (Click Here to Order the Translation, add Apostille Services, and then add Apostille Services for the Translation)
3 Ways to Order an Apostille for an FBI Criminal History Report (Comprehensive Guide for Requesting Authentication Services)
Option 1, Traveling in 5+ Weeks: Request an FBI Report Apostille by Mail
- Obtain a copy of your FBI Criminal History Summary, also known as an FBI Criminal Background Check or FBI Identity History Summary IdHS, FBI History Report or Fingerprint Submission. If you do not have this document, please see our instructions on how to request an FBI report from a channeler. A printed PDF version is acceptable as long as the PDF was issued by the FBI or an approved FBI channeler. Scanned versions will be rejected.
- Request authentication service from the US Department of State. In order to request authentication or apostille service, the DS-4194 form (also known as the DS4194) must be completed fully and correctly. Errors or omissions on the DS-4194 are the most common reason for rejected applications. Download and complete the required DS-4194 form here.
- Send your document and completed DS-4194 form to the following address. USPS Priority Express seems to be best, based on experience. The turn-around time can be as long as ten to twelve weeks in 2024, plus mailing time. The total cost is $20 per FBI apostille for each FBI rap sheet, plus expedited shipping charges.
Office of Authentications, US Department of State
CA/PPT/S/TO/AUT
44132 Mercure Circle, P.O. Box 1206
Sterling, Virginia 20166
For more detailed information, please visit the Department of State’s Website, which includes return mail information, cost, FAQs, information about payment information, and other requirements.
Option 2, Traveling in less than 48 hours: Emergencies Only, Request an FBI Report Apostille or US Department of State Apostille in Person
- Walk-ins have resumed in DC, but only certain cases.
- Emergency appointments can be made by calling: (202) 485-8500 and are required to expedite the process.
- You are required make an appointment and provide proof of urgent travel.
- You will not be allowed to submit in person unless you have a serious illness or death of a family member, and, in such case, you will be required to demonstrate need and travel plans.
Option 3, Traveling in 2 to 3 weeks: Expedited Federal Apostille Service by Using a 3rd Party Apostille Expediter Service
This is the most common method in 2024. If you have the PDF version of the federal background check, IdHS apostille services, such as ours, are able to order on your behalf, and the ordering process takes only minutes. Processing may still take around two weeks, but you won’t waste any time dealing with shipping labels, filling out the required government forms, and the chance of delays due to errors are reduced. If you order today, we can initiate the US Department of State apostille process within an hour or less.
- We are able to provide FBI apostille service for a fee, which will speed up the process by seven to fourteen days on average. How are we faster?
- We drop off apostilles daily at the walk-in counter, which take seven business days to process.
- We have processed federal apostilles for nearly eighteen years, so there is less chance of delays due to errors; we use the same shipping labels, envelopes, checks, every single day.
- Aside from us, there are many agencies that will authenticate your documents for a fee; they generally charge between $150 and $200 for their slowest, basic service. We charge only $149 total and include overnight shipping to/from DC, which speeds up the process significantly.
- You will need to send the FBI Background Check to us or another apostille service provider in one of two ways: the originally issued PDF version or the originally issued hard-copy.
- Important note: when ordering your FBI background check, you have two options: paper copies or electronic copies. PDF and hard copies produce the same apostille; however, using the PDF saves time.
- If you selected the electronic, email option. You can email the electronic, PDF version to us. This must be the PDF file issued by the FBI, not a scanned version of the paper copy.
- If you selected the paper copies. You can mail or FedEx the documents to us.
- Shopping around? FBI Apostille Services is a provider that requests apostilles for FBI background checks. US Authentications is another commonly used service for other related authentication services. We are glad to provide this service; however, for the sake of doing your due diligence, we always share information about other agencies. If shopping around, ask these two questions: how will you ship my background check to the federal authentications office and how often do you ship? Many agencies bundle and only ship once per week (or less frequently) using slow, inexpensive shipping. We ship daily using overnight shipping, which is really what makes us different. Additionally, we can ship internationally via FedEx or DHL and we only charge what the shipping carriers charge us.
- Warning: Do not be duped by agencies advertising faster processing times. If an agency says they can get a federal apostille any faster, they are not being honest or haven’t updated their site in a while. If there was a faster way, we would know about it and make it happen as we have processed FBI criminal background check apostilles six days a week for almost eighteen years. All current processing times can be see on the Federal Authentications Office’s Website.
Note: Expedited State Apostille Service by Using a 3rd Party Agency, Valid in Rare Cases (Never Recommended)
A state apostille for a federal document should only be used if you have written confirmation that a state apostille for a federal document is acceptable. We provided this service many years ago by obtaining a notarized copy of the background check and then submitting to the state; we no longer provide this service as it is no longer acceptable. It was only allowed during the pandemic and a few years after, due to lengthy delays in processing federal apostilles, and very few consulates and countries accepted state-level apostilles or IdHS apostilles for documents and visa requests. State level Hague stamps or apostilles on federal background checks are rarely, if ever, accepted in 2024.
Although the process seems complicated, it is really not too bad. Once you receive your FBI IdHS, federal background check and apostille, it can be translated in 24 hours or less. If you need the translation to be apostilled, we can to that as well. Our translations are considered certified translations, official translations, and are certified, notarized and are fully guaranteed. We also ship via FedEx Priority Overnight and International, when needed.
Call or email for more information about how to apostille an FBI background check: info@sespanish.com
(877) 374-0095 (office), (865) 777-1177 (international)
Clarification: Do You Need an Apostille for the Spanish Translation of an FBI Rap Sheet, the Original Document or Both?
Several countries, such as Colombia, Portugal, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and often Mexico require the translation to have a state-issued apostille, that is, in addition to the federal, United States Department of State apostille for the original background check. In simple terms, if you are sending a document to Colombia, for example, you will first need to order the federal background check and its apostille, have it translated, and then the certified, notarized translation should also have a Hague stamp or apostille from the state where it was translated to French, Portuguese, Italian or Spanish. We, and a few other translators, are able to order an apostille for the translation. We can have your translation apostilled in only four to ten days using our urgent, expedited apostille service that includes FedEx overnight shipping.
If you only need an apostille for the translation of your FBI rap sheet, we have two options: $70 for 7-Day Service and $100 for 4-Day Service. Please note that this service only authenticates the translation, NOT the original document.
If you need us to order an FBI Report Apostille, the total cost is $149 for the federal apostille service. Turnaround times may be around two weeks in 2024. No customer or agency is currently able to expedite the process unless a life or death emergency can be proven, which will be judged by the authentication’s office. Our service is typically a week or so faster due to our same-day, expedited shipping services and streamlined process.
FBI Apostille FAQs, Frequently Asked Questions about Federal Apostilles
No, an FBI background check should not be notarized before sending to the Federal Authentications Office in DC. The federal government authenticates the signature of Chris Ormerod, who is the Section Chief of the Biometric Services at the Department of Justice, which is part of the FBI. Any marks, additional stamps, notary stamps or signatures will invalidate the document, and it will be returned to you without the apostille. The apostille will have an ink signature, an embossed seal, and will be attached to your background check, which will make it valid worldwide. Notarization is never needed for a federal apostille: Summary: your federal background check should not be notarized.
Yes; we can order an apostille for a translation; however, this does not replace the apostille needed for the original document. In some cases documents going to Portugal, France, Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and a few other countries, you will need two apostille stamps: one for the original document and one for the translation in Portuguese, French or Spanish. We are able to order a translation apostille (also know as a translator’s apostille) for as little as $70. This is not needed for Spain or Portugal.
In some cases American translations are accepted in Spain, in other cases documents will need to be translated in Spain by a translator certified by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is known as a sworn translator. It is best to check with the requesting party as many documents presented in Spain (not at one of the Spanish Consulates in the United States), typically must be translated in Spain by a sworn translator approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The general rule is that most translators, like Southeast Spanish, are allowed to submit certified, notarized translations to the various Consulates of Spain in the United States; however, if the translated document is to be presented in Spain, it typically needs to be translated either in Spain or by a sworn translator approved and registered with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Most applying for the Spanish non lucrative visa, for the NLV, NALCAP, or other visas apply at Spanish consulates, so our US based translations are acceptable. If applying for a non-lucrative visa in Spain, we can order the federal apostille and provide sworn translation services.
Including expedited shipping, it will cost you around $82.00 to order an federal authentication on your own. When ordering directly from the federal government’s authentication office, the cost of a federal apostille is $20, for the federal fee, as listed on the DS4194. The rate of $20 is the cost for each apostille related to FBI background checks, clearance reports and other similar documents. Additionally, for an FBI record apostille, you will need to pay for expedited shipping to and from the Department of State, which will cost around $31.00 each way for USPS Priority Mail Express Overnight. Ordering an expedited apostille on your own will cost around $82.00 total. We can take the guesswork out for only $149. Also, we use the same envelopes, same checks, same DS4194 forms daily, so our apostille orders are always accepted, no issues.
As of December 2024, it takes about two and a half weeks to receive an apostille on a FBI background check from the Federal Authentications Office, when using a professional apostille service. When ordering directly, it can take around six weeks, unless the background check can be hand-delivered to the Federal Office of Authentications. We always use and recommend shipping to the authentications office via USPS 1 Day Priority Mail Express and including a returnfor faster results. FedEx will not deliver of pick up at this federal office, so USPS is the only option for expedited shipping of the FBI report apostille.
Summary: We expedite all apostille orders, and most federal apostilles will take around 2.5 weeks in 2024 when we drop off and pick up in person in DC. We update turnaround time estimates monthly.
It is not possible to get an apostille in only one day. Getting an FBI criminal background check apostille quickly is just not possible. Apostilles for state issued documents, such as birth certificates, divorce decrees, and other notarized documents can be obtained in one day only by going in person to the Secretary of State’s office in the respective state capital, that is, the state of issue of the original document. Federal apostilles, or apostilles for documents such as the FBI Identity History Summary (IdHS) take much longer as walk-ins are no longer allowed at the Federal Authentications Office. Walk-in service stopped years ago and is not scheduled to return. In summary, it is not possible to get a Federal Apostille in one day and states are not able authenticate federal documents.
As a rule we translate both the background check and apostille together, which costs $69. If the IdHS has additional pages or a criminal history, the translation price depends on the total word count. Criminal records with six to eight pages typically cost between $90 and $180 for certified translation from English to Spanish, English to Portuguese or English to French.
If you need to know how to get an FBI background check apostille, there are typically only three options: Option 1, Most Common, Requesting an Apostille By Mail Directly from the Federal Authentication Office; Option 2, Emergencies Only, Requesting an FBI Apostille in Person; Option 3, Expedited Apostille Service by Using a 3rd Party Agency.
If you order directly from the federal authentications office, an apostille on an FBI background check is only $20 plus expedited shipping, which costs around $31 each way. If you use 3rd party FBI apostille services, such as Southeast Spanish, the rate is $149 to order an apostille online. Others charge between $150 and $250 for FBI apostille services online, that is, to order an apostille for your FBI background check. The advantage of using an apostille services is ease of ordering, less room for errors and delays, and a streamlined process. If you place an order with us today, we will start the United States Department of State apostille process the same day, and get your document in line to be processed the following day.
Yes, of course. Southeast Spanish is able and willing to ship federal apostilles to most countries via FedEx or DHL. Internationally shipping is not included in the cost to order an FBI Apostille. Once the order has been received, we are able to calculate the cost to ship the Hague apostille to your home or business outside of the United States. We ship to Portugal, South Korea, Croatia, Spain, France, Peru, Chile and other countries often. We only charge what the carriers charge us, which is around $55 worldwide for major cities; we don’t add on additional fees. Shipping to Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona, Buenos Aries, Quito, San Jose, and other major cities via FedEx is around $55; however, shipping to smaller cities outside of those regions may incur an extended delivery fee of $46. We will always provide shipping quotes in advance.
Yes, we order apostilles for FBI identity history summary checks for customers applying for various visas for South Korea, the Embassy of Korea in the United States and various consulates of the Republic of Korea. If needed, we can ship your apostilled background check to Korea via FedEx or DHL. South Korea has a very strict rule regarding 90 day validity of FBI Background checks; however, many customers applying to South Korea are now requesting state level apostilles which only take a few weeks. We have not confirmed that this is acceptable for South Korean visa applications; before going this route, please check with the Consulate or Embassy of the Republic of Korean in the United States for confirmation regarding your case.
Yes, we take privacy seriously. We do not outsource any work and our team is very small. Dan Hickman orders all apostilles personally; he will download, print, ship and translate your documents. Aside from the employees of the Department of State, no outside parties or agencies will see your document(s) or personal information.
US federal background checks are valid for either 90 or 180 days, depending on the rules of the requesting country. The federal government does not specify an expiration date, thus the validity date is set by the requesting party, that is, the country of destination. In most countries worldwide, federal background checks are valid for 90 days from the date of issue, which is the date of the background check, not the date of the apostille. In the past few years, some countries have extended their validity dates to 180 days: Ecuador, Costa Rica, Brazil and a few others have done so, although most, such as Spain (NLV, non-lucrative visa or NALCAP), Portugal (Golden visa), Croatia, Russia, South Korea, China, France, Slovenia, and others still only allow 90 days of validity.
For the Portuguese Golden Visa, only federal-level apostilles are valid. Our federal apostilles are processed by the United States Federal Government at the Federal Authentications Office in Washington DC. In the past several years, applications for Portuguese Golden Visas have been one of our most common requests, and we never have issues. We order/process state apostilles for some countries, as requested; however, state-level apostilles are never acceptable for the Portuguese Golden Visa. Once complete, we are able to send the completed apostille to you or directly to your attorney in Portugal. We also translate to Portuguese, but most Portuguese attorneys prefer apostilles and background checks to be translated in Portugal, not in the United States.
Yes, the FBI Electronic Departmental Order (EDO), FBI Identity History summary, or IdHS are all just internal names for federal, FBI background checks. Summary: IdHS, EDO and federal background check are all the exact same document, which is what most people need for long-term visas abroad. FBI IdHS just means FBI Identification History Summary, which is an FBI background check, which is also called an FBI Rap Sheet. Basically, an FBI Background Check is commonly referred to as an IdHS, Rap Sheet or Criminal Background Check. Also, the apostille is also called an Hague Stamp, Apostille seal or apostille stamp; however, it is really not a Hague stamp or apostille seal, but a separate sheet of paper that validates the original document.
For most countries, such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Chile, Argentina and Peru, the order is always apostille first and then translation. Basically, the apostille validates the original document, and then the translation to the target language is the final step. As mentioned previously, some countries, such as Ecuador and Colombia, require an additional step, which is an apostille for the translation, but that does not replace the apostille for the original document.
Order Now, We Will Start the FBI Background Check Apostille Process Today
- I need ONLY a certified, notarized translation of my FBI Background Check and Translation of the Federal Apostille: $69 (Click here to order certified translation)
- I need ONLY a sworn translation (for Spain only) of my FBI Background Check and Translation of the Federal Apostille: $99 (Click here to order certified translation)
- I need ONLY a federal FBI Report Apostille, economy service, 5 weeks: $95 (Click here to order economy FBI apostille processing)
- I need ONLY a federal FBI Report Apostille, standard service, 3-4 weeks: $150 (Click here to order economy FBI apostille processing)
- I need ONLY a federal FBI Report Apostille, expedited service, 2.5 weeks: $195 (Click here to order economy FBI apostille processing)
- I need a federal apostille for the background check, certified translation to Spanish and a second apostille for the translation: (Second apostille required in Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and a few other countries. (Click here to order the translation, add the apostille service, and then add the apostille service for the completed translation)
- I need both sworn translation and apostille services for Spain. (Click here to order bundled sworn translation and apostille services for Spain)
Have Questions, Comments about the United States Department of State Apostille Process or an FBI IdHS? Call, email anytime.
(877) 374-0095 (office), (877) 376-2085 (cell), (865) 777-1177 (international)
View Comments (5)
Hello I am currently starting the process for a Student Visa in Spain. I am currently in Spain and have been since the 30th of August. I am enrolled at an institute here in Bilbao and they have an attorney to help me with the processing of the visa and the translation to Spanish. They require me to get the Apostille background check and I just want to make sure I choose the right one. I currently only have 1 month left to get this processed and everything turned in for the visa.
Dan was so responsive, organized, and helpful during this process. I live out of the country and needed a federal background check apostilled ASAP to apply for a permanent visa. I was able to upload my background check on April 14 and was told the normal waiting time was 6 to 12 weeks to receive the physical apostilled document. The apostilled document arrived at my family's home in the US on May 5 so they were able to scan the paperwork so I could immediately start applying for mi visa as I was already abroad. The process was so easy and the finished product arrived SO much faster than expected.
I would 100% recommend this service to anyone needing a document apostilled, especially if already out of the country! Amazing experience.
We are in Quito, Ecuador and have our FBI background check completed and it is in the US. We need a third party to help us expedite our apostille for this document and need to know your turnaround time. I am a US Citizen living in Ecuador and am renewing my visa. Please include the cost of this process. Thank you.
Yes, we are able to ship an apostille to Ecuador via FedEx or DHL. Right now, October 2020, it takes about four to eight weeks to order an apostille. We are faster than other apostille services as we ship to/from the authentication office via express mail; however, there is no way to expedite unless you can prove a life or death emergency.
Amazing service -- glad I found this company! $99 for an apostille for my FBI Background Check was the best price around. I called and emailed about ten apostille services, and none were less than $150. Southeast Spanish actually answered the phone, and I was able to chat about my situation. Dan really knew about the process, and I trusted him more than the higher priced services... Everything worked out fine, and I got my apostille in less time than quoted. Also, FedEx shipping was included in the rate. Can't say enough about this service! Excellent, amazing... the best!