Apostille or Authentication of the Federal Document:
FBI Background Check
Foreign countries require that any document issued by a U.S. Federal Agency must be Authenticated or Apostilled in order to be accepted in a foreign jurisdiction. Included in this requirement are documents signed or notarized overseas by an American Consular Officer or military public notary.
Authenticating a document verifies the document's source so foreign institutions can be assured that documents are genuine.
A Federally issued document must be Authenticated or Apostilled by the US Department of State (USDOS) in Washington, DC. It must be an original document and have the seal and authorized signature of the issuing department.
FBI Background Check
An FBI Background Check is a comprehensive investigation into an individual's identity and criminal history, primarily used to ensure suitability for employment, security clearance, or other sensitive roles. It involves searching federal, state, and local law enforcement databases to uncover any relevant information and is a result from the U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73. These are typically used for visas, citizenship applications, and other legal purposes in foreign countries.
Common examples include:
Fingerprint Cards:
FD-258 (Applicant Fingerprint Card):
This is a standard FBI fingerprint card used for various purposes, including employment, licensing, and other applicant needs
FD-1164:
This card is specifically designed for applicant fingerprinting needs, unlike the FD-258 which is used for law enforcement.
Identity History Summary Checks (Identity History Check):
These reports are a compilation of felony criminal arrest and conviction records from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Investigations and Checks:
Criminal History Checks
Credit Checks
Educational and Employment Verification
Reference Checks
How to Obtain an Apostille or Authentication
Have the Right Document:
Make sure you have the original FBI Background Check or a certified copy.
A certified copy must have a certificate stating it's a true copy, along with the issuing agency's seal and authorized signature.
2. Translation (if required):
If the destination country requires a translation, have a professional translator translate the certificate and have the translation notarized. Do not notarize the original document.
Need help? We offer certified document translations through our partner service: Certified Document Translation
3. Apostille or Authentication:
The final step is submitting your document to the U.S. Department of State for apostille or authentication.
Although turnaround times may vary- our agents should be able to assist you with having your FBI Background Check apostilled or authenticated within 9-10 business days.
Important: Each type of federal document may require a different process, especially if it involves sensitive, personal, or agency-restricted records.
To ensure accuracy and avoid rejections, we recommend using one of our Notary Apostille Agents to handle the process for you.
We always try to seek Notary Apostille Agents who have taken extensive training as Notaries and Apostille Facilitators through the following respected training companies. Please always ask any Notary Apostille Facilitator you hire to provide you with their credentials and expertise:
