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 December 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 December 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)
Yonatan Vaknin (verified owner) –
The service was quick and professional. Order the Federal Apostille Service. Got a quick reply from the team. a few weeks later got the documents back with federal apostille.
Thank you for the great service!
Mike (verified owner) –
Dan emailed me on a Saturday evening as soon as he learned the document would arrive Monday. He was also kind enough send me a PDF version on request, which was really all I needed, prior to forwarding the document to my home.
Adriana S. (verified owner) –
I accepted a job in South Korea and when I was told I needed to have an Apostile service, I had no clue what that really entailed and most importantly how long it could take. I am so glad I found Dan and his team. They are so professional and super efficient. In fact, I got the Apostile certificate within 10 days of requesting the service. Outstanding service from beginning to end. I highly recommend them.
Biljana Gilevska (verified owner) –
I confirm that this company appear to be a life-savor when it came to getting my Federal (Hague) Apostille on FBI criminal background check. I had an extremely short time to get it from the moment I found out that I need it. The company is exceptional in handling the process of getting the US Federal (Hague) Apostille. They provide great efficiency, responsiveness and kindness through the entire process and most important without false promises. They made sure I was aware of how my case was proceeding. I feel comfortable to highly recommend this company if you need a US Federal Apostille.
Conor Ericson –
This company was a life-savor when it came to getting my FBI criminal background check apostilled. They took care of all the work for me and the whole process was both efficient and straightforward. Also, I got my background check returned to my home address much earlier than I would have if I didn’t use SES. This goes without saying, but highly recommended!
Aline (verified owner) –
Excellent care and service. From the start, Dan was attentive, responded quickly and the FBI background check apostille service was delivered faster than expected. I recommend the company for sure.
Gustavo –
Perfect service in every aspect. Dan was incredibly supporting trough the process and explained each step of it (which was really helpful since we are a foreign client); response time was very fast and regular updates were provided. We highly recommend this service and look forward to continue working with Dan and his team.
Marlon, Berkeley (verified owner) –
Very glad I found SESpanish!! I needed two apostilles while I was traveling. Dan was able to do all the paperwork so when I got home it was waiting for me! Will definitely use again!
Kai (verified owner) –
Great staff, fast service and professional
Fredy Solis (verified owner) –
I am so glad that I found Dan Hickman and his company. I was in desperate need to get my apostille from the FBI for a trip that was planned months in advance and Dan was so kind and nice over the phone that I knew from the beginning that I was going to hire his services. He is very knowledgeable and he cares about his clients. He was able to get my apostille in under 17 days. Wow!!! Thank you so much Dan!
Chad, Los Angeles (verified owner) –
VERY PROFESSIONAL. It took some searching to find not only a GREAT DEAL, but what turned out to be much more. Every step of the way was simplified therefore made EASY. A final bonus was that the turn around total was just 17 DAYS for my federal apostille. Luck/ coincidence? I would credit some of that luck to the efficiency of this service. Thank you!
Madison (verified owner) –
I am so thankful that I found Dan and Southeast Spanish. I am currently in a stressful situation and Dan was incredibly reassuring and comforting throughout the entire process. I appreciate how quick he was in responding to my questions. I also am so grateful that Dan and co. were able to get my apostille done as quickly and as efficiently as possible. I will definitely be using them again if needed!
Emily –
Dan was very helpful and responsive with my many questions throughout the process. With the current delay for federal apostille processing time, Dan was able to get to get it done as efficiently as possible and kept me updated throughout the process. Great customer service!
Camila M. (verified owner) –
Incredible service from beginning to end. Dan was extremely responsive with my questions and kept me updated every step of the way as I waited on my federal apostille for my FBI Criminal background check. I had also ordered a certified, notarized translation and an overseas shipping to Spain, directly to the attorney I was working with. The whole process took less than a month and eliminated a lot of the stress of having to do it by myself! Thank you Dan and team! Highly recommend this service.
Arash A. (verified owner) –
Dan and team are very professional, responsive and efficient. Their customer service is amazing, Dan personally got on the phone to explain what to expect and the steps involved when I needed to make important decisions on timing and they made sure there were no delays on their part. Thank you Dan for such a great, personal and professional experience, a combination that is not easily found. I highly recommend them!