How to Apostille an FBI Background Check
An FBI background check (officially called an Identity History Summary) is a federal document — meaning it cannot be apostilled through a state Secretary of State. Instead, it must go through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. This guide explains the complete process for getting your FBI background check apostilled for international use, including immigration, work permits, and residency applications.
Last reviewed: February 2026
When Do You Need an FBI Background Check Apostille?
- Foreign work permit and employment visa applications — many countries require a clean criminal background check for work authorization
- Residency permit applications — countries like Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UAE require FBI checks for long-stay visas
- Immigration proceedings — USCIS and foreign immigration agencies use FBI checks to verify criminal history
- Teaching positions abroad — ESL/TEFL positions in China, South Korea, Japan, and the Middle East require authenticated FBI checks
- International adoption — Hague Convention adoptions require FBI background checks for all household members
- Foreign citizenship applications — dual citizenship and naturalization processes often require FBI clearance
- Professional licensing abroad — healthcare, legal, and financial professionals may need authenticated background checks
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
- Submitting to a state Secretary of State — FBI checks are federal documents that MUST go through the U.S. Department of State
- Using an expired FBI check — many countries require checks issued within the last 3–6 months
- Submitting a copy instead of the original FBI result
- Not obtaining the check through official FBI channels or approved channelers
- Forgetting that non-Hague countries (China, UAE) require full legalization, not just an apostille
- Not accounting for the longer federal processing times compared to state-level apostilles
Apostille vs. Notarization
A notarization verifies a signer's identity. An apostille is a government certification that authenticates a document for international legal use. Foreign governments require apostilles — notarization alone is insufficient.
Top Reasons for Rejection
Hospital-issued birth certificates, photocopies, unsigned documents, and sending to the wrong state office are the most common causes of apostille rejections. Our free document review catches these issues before submission.
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Submit Documents for ApostilleStep-by-Step Process
Obtain FBI Identity History Summary
Request your FBI Identity History Summary through the FBI's official channels or an approved FBI channeler. The result is a federal document that shows your criminal history (or lack thereof). Keep the original — copies cannot be apostilled.
Verify Document Validity
Many countries require FBI checks to be recent — typically issued within the last 6 months. Verify your destination country's recency requirements before proceeding. An expired FBI check will be rejected.
Submit to U.S. Department of State
Because the FBI check is a federal document, it must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State — NOT a state Secretary of State. We handle the federal submission process in Washington, D.C.
Translation (If Required)
For non-English-speaking countries, a certified translation of your apostilled FBI check may be required. We coordinate translations into Spanish, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, and more.
Secure Return & Delivery
Your apostilled FBI background check is returned via insured, trackable shipping. We provide confirmation and tracking immediately upon processing.
State Considerations
While the FBI background check itself is a federal document apostilled in Washington, D.C., your fingerprinting for the FBI check can be done in any state. Many people confuse the state where they were fingerprinted with the apostille authority — the apostille ALWAYS goes through the U.S. Department of State for federal documents.
View All 50 State PagesInternational Considerations
For Hague Convention countries, the U.S. Department of State apostille is sufficient. For non-Hague countries like China and the UAE, additional embassy/consulate legalization is required after the federal authentication. China is one of the most common destinations for FBI check authentication — especially for teaching positions and Z-visas.
View Country GuidesFrequently Asked Questions
Can I apostille an FBI background check through a state Secretary of State?+
How long does it take to apostille an FBI background check?+
How recent must my FBI background check be?+
Can I use an FBI channeler result for apostille?+
What if I need the FBI check for a non-Hague country?+
Is the FBI background check the same as a state background check?+
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