Description
Order an Expedited FBI Background Check Apostille, Federal Hague Apostille
- Faster than All Other Apostille Services with In-Person Drop Off Service at Federal Office of Authentications
- Average Turnaround Time is 7-10 business days (around 2.5 weeks) as of November 2024
- We Also Provide Non-Expedited Apostille Service, if you have extra time
- Direct Service with Dan Hickman, Ph.D.
- Unlike other services, you don’t have to trust your documents to an inexperienced employee.
- Dan has processed federal apostilles personally for over eighteen years.
- Dan orders and processes all federal apostilles personally, no outsourcing.
- Dan is available by phone, text, email 60+ hours per week and will always return emails/texts promptly.
- We will walk-in, drop off your background check(s) in-person at the federal authentications office in DC.
- This is the fastest non-emergency method to receive a federal apostille.
- Shipping from our office to you (or another address) can be added at checkout.
- We always scan/email all apostilles before shipping.
- We Never Provide State-Level or DC District-Level Apostilles in place of Federal Apostilles
- Order Processing Takes Only 5 Minutes with PDF Upload
- We Complete Form DS-4194 and All Necessary Paperwork
- Translation to Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian Available (Not Included)
- Better Customer Service, Call or Email Anytime (No Receptionists or 3rd Party Answering Services)
- No Gimmicks, No Fees, No Minimum Rates
- International Service: Worldwide Shipping Available
Dan Hickman, Ph.D., and his small US-based team is able to process federal apostilles for your FBI background check directly from the Federal Authentications Office in D.C. Dan completes nearly all of the apostille process personally; his team deals with accounting and other non-essential parts of the process.
What makes us different: we never charge extra/hidden fees, we provide simple pricing, and our service is always faster than all other US-based apostille services, guaranteed. Additionally, when you work with us, you will work directly with Dan Hickman, who has processed apostilles personally for over eighteen years.
As for processing time, we will walk-in, drop off your background check(s) in-person at the federal authentications office in DC, which is the fastest non-emergency method to receive a federal apostille. Current processing takes about 7-10 business days (not calendar days), which is about two weeks as the authentications office is not open on Fridays. We quote around two weeks as we have to receive the document and scan/ship back to you, and complete certified and sworn translations, when necessary.
Additionally, we do not overprice shipping as you will need the completed, apostilled background check shipped to you. We only charge what USPS, FedEx and DHL charge us and pass our discounts and shipping experience on to you.
NOTE: You must send your background check to us. Simply email or upload (at checkout) the official electronic, PDF version, that is, the document issued by the FBI or an approved channeler. If you did not receive the digital version, you will need to ship the original paper copy background check to us.
APOSTILLE PROCESSING TIME: Although the Federal Authentication Office’s website states that turnaround time may be over twelve weeks, we obtain most federal apostilles in 7-10 business days (around 2.5 weeks as of November 2024) with our acclaimed expedited ordering process.
DISCLAIMER: We are glad to provide this service and have ordered many federal apostilles in the past eighteen years, so there is a smaller chance of delays due to errors, and we always use expedited shipping. Using our services will save time, guaranteed; however, delays may occur in processing at the Department of State, and we are unable to control their processing times. We update processing times monthly.
TOTAL COST: In the United States, there are many agencies willing to process apostilles on your behalf for a fee; most charge $200+ per document, depending on the service selected. We charge only $195, including all federal fees and in-person drop off service of your document. Additionally, you will need to add shipping from our office to you, your attorney, on another address at checkout. The government will process your background check apostille and then we will pick it up in person, from which point we will scan/email/ship to you. We only charge what USPS, FedEx and DHL charge us.
FAQs, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
- PDF vs Original Hard Copy, which is better? They are 100% the same and the finished product is 100% the same. The printed, mailed copy no longer has ink signatures, which is why the apostille is so important. If you submit the PDF, we will print and submit pursuant to government rules and regulations, and the apostille (signed/sealed) will be permanently attached to the printed background check.
- Should I notarize my background check? No, absolutely not. Notarized background checks will be rejected and returned. The website for the authentications office mentions notarization, but it is referring to state-level documents such as powers of attorney, etc. Documents issued by the federal government should not be notarized as the federal agent’s signature (Chris Ormerod) is what needs to be authenticated and validated, not that of the notary.
- Is there any way expedite the apostille process further? Yes, if you have a documented life or death emergency, you can petition for in-person same day service in DC; however, your appointment will need to be approved in advance by the Federal Office of Authentications, and if approved, you will need to travel to DC. Otherwise, our drop off and pick up service is as fast as it gets. Our goal is to get your background check to DC as quickly as possible; nonetheless, the government is required by federal law to process in order. Our system is designed to obtain your apostille as quickly as possible, and we do everything possible to make that happen.
- Do I need to select a shipping option at checkout? If you need the original, hard-copy apostille, yes. We always scan/email the apostilled background check; however, only a few countries will accept a digital, scanned version. If you need the original shipped to you, that is, more than just the scanned/PDF, please select a shipping option at checkout.
- Can I change my address after the order has been placed? Yes, of course. We always email/call/text once your document ships from DC to our office to confirm shipping details. At that point, you can adjust shipping methods, change the shipping address, request international shipping and so on. If you are unsure of the final destination of your apostille, just select “no shipping” at checkout and you will be able to adjust or add shipping once we scan/email the apostille to you.
SUBMISSION: You will need to send your FBI Background Check to us in one of two ways:
- EMAIL/UPLOAD: If you selected the electronic, email option from the FBI or an approved channeler, simply email or upload (after payment) the official PDF version to us. This file must be the PDF file issued by the FBI or a channeler, not a scanned version of the mailed, paper copy.
- MAIL/FEDEX: If you selected the paper copies from the FBI. You can mail or FedEx your FBI report to us. We will provide our mailing/shipping address by email.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: We are glad to ship your apostilled background check to any country in the world via FedEx or DHL. Paying $55 for international shipping at checkout is a deposit only; if the actual rate is less, we will refund the balance, if more, we will send an invoice before shipping. Rates will be calculated and confirmed before your apostille arrives to our office.
Any doubts, questions or concerns, call or email us. We never use call centers or answering services, and Dan takes a lot of calls, all day, every day. If you can’t get in touch, please try back in a few minutes or send an email. Most emails are answered in an hour or less.
Dan Hickman, Ph.D., Southeast Spanish, Inc., info@sespanish.com
877.374.0095 (office), 877.376.2085 (cell), 865.777.1177 (international)
Michelle (verified owner) –
Dan was the most helpful person I encountered during the entire process of attempting to get a Spanish visa. Truly this service is invaluable! I could not recommend him enough. He was extremely responsive, professional, and knowledgeable. He went above and beyond– even to give me further information about the process that he was not required to. This process can feel frustrating– luckily Dan gave me reassurance. Thank you Southeast Spanish!!
Sam –
This was the best experience I could have asked for! Dan and his team were amazing and very efficient and commutative! It took about 2 months to receive but that’s expected! Overall it was so good!
Carlie Heinrich (verified owner) –
Definitely worth the price. As someone living out of the country but needing paperwork from the states they made everything so easy. The customer service is amazing. They replied fast and kept me updated through the whole progress.
Richard Gary –
We planned our wedding
But before it proceeded
There were documents
That her country needed
Apostilled, Translated
And Notarized too
Where to begin
I didn’t have a clue
Southeast Spanish
Took care of me
Incredibly fast
And professionally
Documents approved
So we proceeded
Southeast Spanish
Is all we needed
POETIC VIEWS
(Richard G.)
dhruv (verified owner) –
Great work by Dan. I was in Croatia and needed my apostille done fast since my FBI background check was going be past the date that’s allowed for a visa I was applying for.
Dan was excellent in communication and follow up and gave me the step by step I should follow to get things done efficiently. Worked like a charm.
Sophia –
I am so grateful to have found Dan and Southeast Spanish Inc.! I could have never gotten through the complicated government processes and requirements that come with applying for a Student Visa without his guidance and support. Would recommend many times over!
Jennifer McCord (verified owner) –
I just had an amazing experience with Dan Hickman at Southeast Spanish, Inc. It took them only 3 weeks to get my federal apostille back for my FBI criminal background check, which I uploaded to them on 2 June. The apostille came back on 23 June, they had my sworn translation delivered to my inbox on 24 June, and my original apostille documents arrived in the mail (overseas) on 26 June! I can’t believe how quick and painless it was. And all I had to do was upload the FBI background report to them–they can also handle helping you request that if needed. Anyhow, Dan was super responsive and helpful, and I can’t recommend them enough for getting this tedious, cumbersome part of your required documents in order. Good luck!
Chris Dee (verified owner) –
Dan is the consummate professional. In a process that is unknown for many of us, Dan ‘s experience is priceless. Dan’s combined knowledge, professionalism and responsive communication throughout the Apostille and translation process, makes SESpanish a great value. It was such a relief to realize that Dan really understood what Portugal’s requirements were for Visa approval. Stop shopping around – just choose SESpanish for your Apostille needs!
Jana Wagner –
Amazing service and fast turn around! Great communication. Highly recommend.
Stephen (verified owner) –
Amazing customer service. Dan is very quick and professional. I used his services in 2021 and am happy to do us again.
Jamie Lang (verified owner) –
Super fast, constant updates, it’s everything I was hoping for from this process that is otherwise very unpleasant. Dan made it as painless as possible.
Gabriel Fish (verified owner) –
Dan is professional and accommodating. My apostille took significantly shorter to process than he quoted, and while that will probably vary with time of year, I was very happy.
Lisa –
Fast turnaround time and everything went smoothly. Highly recommend Dan for federal apostille service. Thank you Dan!
ken (verified owner) –
Performed above and beyond expectations. Excellent communication. I wish all my business interactions went this smoothly. Thank you.
Marie –
Great experience! Dan was super thorough and communicative. Also, partway through the process I realized I didn’t need a translation after, so he refunded me for the translation. 10/10 will use Southeast Spanish if and when I need another apostille.