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)
Valeria Flores –
Mr. Hickman helped me a lot to get my FBI background apostille. I did not how to get it done, and when I reached out to him about the service he explained everything to me, and then I decided to pay for the service. He always reply all my emails after a few minutes, and sent me updates during the process. I am so thankful, and I recommend his service to everyone! He is super friendly and an expert in his job!
David A –
Dan was extremely helpful. I ordered an Apostille for an FBI Background check and it arrived in a timely manner. Very easy to order. Dan answered my emails quickly and everything arrived correctly. I definitely recommend his service.
João S. (verified owner) –
Recomendo os serviços do Dan! Ele responde de forma rápida. Precisava de um apostilamento de uma certidão de antecedentes criminais para utilizar em Portugal. Deu tudo certo! In English: very responsive. I needed an apostille service for my FBI background check, which Portugal is requesting for naturalization purposes.
Will Collier (verified owner) –
Dan really made this a smooth and easy process so I greatly appreciate all of his work. What was even better was his phenomenal customer service and how responsive he was to questions. I highly recommend Dan to anyone that needs apostille, translation, or notary services.
Samantha G. (verified owner) –
I was in a tight timeframe to obtain an apostille and sworn translation, Dan and his team really pulled through and were so communicative and helpful!! I cannot recommend them enough. Wonderful experience all around.
Steven –
Very responsive and great communication. Would use again.
Avinash (verified owner) –
Dan was extremely helpful, professional and resourceful. The Apostille process was done fairly quickly and in a straightforward manner with clear communication. I would highly recommend Southeast Spanish to anybody looking for a stress-free Apostille experience.
Luis G Hernandez (verified owner) –
Excellent service, everything straightforward, documents ready in a timely matter…thanks for your services Mr. Dickman
Emily Y –
Dan made the apostille process fairly quick and hassle-free! He was extremely responsive to questions that I had. I 100% recommend his services, and I would use them again!
David speese –
Dan is incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and diligent. A pleasure to work with, recommend highly to anyone needing translating/apostiles.
Alex Walsh (verified owner) –
Great services with great communication! I will be recommending this company to all my friends
Robert B Hagberg (verified owner) –
FBI BACKGROUND CHECK – APOSTILLE
Extremely simple and straightforward application, very understandable website – excellent service.
Very Fast –15 BUSINESS DAYS !!
Sara H –
Dan and his team are amazing! I needed a state CORI check translated from English to Spanish in less than a week for the Consulate at my home country. The Consulate had very strict guidelines and wording that they needed, such as adding a notary statement in both languages. Dan was incredibly patient and understanding throughout the entire process, and also gave me insight into how Apostilles work that helped me save time on my end. Everything was done in a quick manner, and the translation got to me on time for my appointment with the Consulate. The document was very well done, and was formatted just like the original! The response time was great, prices were extremely fair, and the service was amazing. I will come back again, and I highly recommend Southeast Spanish!
Joe S (verified owner) –
Dan was great, very speedy and helpful, I highly recommend!!
Walter Gordon (verified owner) –
Dan was incredibly responsive, professional and a pleasure to work when obtaining an Apostille. I will definitely use his services again.