Apostille Services & FBI Background Checks
Do you need an FBI Apostille on your Background Check?
An FBI Apostille is an additional certification provided by the FBI to verify the authenticity of a background check.
Depending on the country you are traveling to apostille may be required if you are traveling abroad for work or school in addition to your background check.
Reasons For Apostille Services
Reasons for Apostille Services
If you're sending official documents for use in another country, you may be required to have those documents authenticated through an apostille. An apostille certifies the authenticity of a document issued in the United States so that it will be legally recognized in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
At Fingerprints and More, we help individuals and businesses obtain apostilles for both personal and professional documents—saving you time, confusion, and potential delays.
Here are some of the most common reasons people need apostille services:
- International Employment
Many overseas employers require an apostilled FBI background check, diploma, or other credentials as part of their hiring process. - Adoption (International)
Documents related to international adoption—such as background checks, birth certificates, and court orders—often require apostilles before being accepted by the foreign country. - Studying Abroad
Students attending universities in other countries may need an apostilled transcript, diploma, or criminal background check. - Dual Citizenship or Residency Applications
Foreign governments may request apostilled documents to confirm your identity, background, or U.S. citizenship status. - Marriage or Divorce Abroad
If you're planning to marry or divorce in another country, you may need to apostille documents such as a single status affidavit, divorce decree, or birth certificate. - Business or Corporate Filings
U.S. companies doing business internationally may need to apostille power of attorney forms, incorporation documents, or contracts.
At Fingerprints and More, we can assist you with getting your FBI background check apostilled—and guide you through the process whether you need documents authenticated at the state or federal level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Apostille Services
1. What is an apostille?
An apostille is a form of international authentication issued by the U.S. government (or state authority) that certifies the authenticity of a public document. It allows the document to be legally recognized in another country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.
2. When do I need an apostille?
You need an apostille if you're sending official U.S. documents to a foreign country for purposes such as employment, education, marriage, adoption, or dual citizenship.
3. What kinds of documents can be apostilled?
Common documents that require apostilles include:
- FBI background checks
- Birth and death certificates
- Marriage licenses
- Diplomas and transcripts
- Power of attorney forms
- Adoption records
- Business documents and contracts
4. What’s the difference between a state and federal apostille?
- State-level apostilles are issued for documents like birth certificates or notarized forms that originate from a specific U.S. state.
- Federal-level apostilles are issued by the U.S. Department of State for documents like FBI background checks or federal court documents.
We can help you determine which type of apostille you need based on your document and destination country.
5. How do I get an apostille for my FBI background check?
Once your FBI background check is complete, we can assist in submitting it to the U.S. Department of State for federal apostille certification. We handle the process from start to finish to ensure timely and correct processing.
6. How long does it take to get an apostille?
Processing times vary based on the type of document and issuing authority. On average:
- Federal apostille (e.g., FBI reports): 2–4 weeks
- State apostille: 1–3 weeks
Expedited services may be available upon request.
7. Can you help if I live out of state or overseas?
Yes! We assist clients across the U.S. and abroad. We offer easy document drop-off, mail-in, and concierge services to help you no matter where you are located.
8. What countries accept apostilles?
Any country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention will recognize apostilled documents. If your destination country is not a member, you may need embassy or consular legalization instead. We can guide you either way.
9. Do I need to get my document notarized before requesting an apostille?
It depends on the type of document. Some documents must be notarized before apostille processing, while others—like FBI background checks—do not. We’ll advise you based on your specific needs.
10. Can you handle the entire apostille process for me?
Yes! At Fingerprints and More, we offer end-to-end apostille service—from document preparation to final delivery. We’ll take care of the paperwork so you can focus on your next steps.
Need An Apostille?
Get it done at Fingerprints & More