Cost & Timeline
State Fee
$20 federal apostille fee
Plus service and shipping fees
Standard Processing
4–8 weeks (federal processing)
After document received
Expedited Processing
2–3 weeks (with expedited service)
Additional fee applies
FBI background check apostille processing goes through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Standard processing takes 4–8 weeks. The federal apostille fee is $20 per document. Obtaining the FBI Identity History Summary itself takes 3–5 days through an approved channeler or 8–12 weeks if submitted directly to the FBI. We recommend starting this process well in advance of your deadline.
Who Needs an FBI Background Check Apostille?
- Immigration applicants moving to countries that require criminal background checks
- Individuals applying for work visas or work permits abroad
- Teachers and healthcare professionals seeking international employment
- People applying for residency or citizenship in foreign countries
- Adoptive parents in international adoption proceedings
- Contractors and employees working on international government projects
Required Documents
- FBI Identity History Summary (sealed, if required by destination)
- Government-issued photo ID
- DS-4194 form (federal apostille application)
- Federal apostille fee payment ($20)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting the FBI report to a state Secretary of State — this is a federal document and must go through the U.S. Department of State
- Opening the sealed FBI envelope before checking destination country requirements
- Using an expired FBI report — most countries require the report to be recent (3–12 months)
- Confusing a state criminal background check with the FBI Identity History Summary — they are different documents
- Not allowing enough time — federal apostille processing takes significantly longer than state processing
Ready to Get Started?
Submit your documents for apostille processing today. Our team reviews every submission to ensure it meets requirements — avoiding rejections and delays.
Free document review included — we check your documents before processing.
Step-by-Step Process
Obtain Your FBI Identity History Summary
Submit your fingerprints to the FBI through an approved channeler or directly via the FBI's website. The report is mailed to you and is typically valid for 6–12 months depending on the destination country.
Do Not Open the Sealed Envelope
The FBI report arrives in a sealed envelope. Many destination countries require the envelope to remain sealed for authentication. Verify requirements before opening.
Submit to the U.S. Department of State
FBI reports are federal documents and must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by any state Secretary of State.
Receive Your Federal Apostille
The Department of State attaches the apostille to the FBI report, authenticating it for use in Hague Convention countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I apostille an FBI background check at the state level?+
How long is an FBI background check valid for apostille?+
What is the DS-4194 form?+
Can I get an FBI background check apostille faster?+
What if I need a state background check instead?+
Why Choose 1Apostille
All 50 States
We process apostilles nationwide — every state covered.
Document Review
Free pre-submission review to prevent rejections.
Fast Processing
Standard and expedited options available.
Secure Handling
Your documents are handled with care and confidentiality.
Start Your FBI Background Check Apostille Today
Let our experienced team handle the complete apostille process for you — from document review to Secretary of State submission and secure delivery.