Background Check Apostille and Authentication Service

What is a background check apostille?

A background check apostille is a Hague Convention apostille (a.k.a. Secretary of State apostille or US State Department apostille) that authenticates a State or FBI background check report or local police clearance letter so that it gains legal recognition in foreign countries. Apostilled background checks and police clearance letters are often required for immigration, visa, dual citizenship, and other legal matters.

What is a criminal background check?

A criminal background check report summarizes arrests, convictions, and court records of an individual in the law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction. For example, a letter of clearance from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) will only contain any arrests or criminal convictions that occurred in the City and County of San Francisco.

What are the different types of background checks that can be apostilled?

When dealing with an overseas entity, you may be required to submit a federal or state background check or a local police clearance letter certified with an apostille. 

• A federal background check, also called an FBI Identity History Summary or a Rap Sheet uses personal data and fingerprint submissions to search FBI databases and report any information found that is related to criminal offenses, federal employment, and military service.
• A state background check, also called a California Department of Justice fingerprint background check or a Live Scan background check, uses personal data and fingerprint submissions to search statewide databases and report arrests and criminal convictions that occurred in the state.
• A local background check, also called a Police Clearance Letter, local letter of clearance, or a local letter of good conduct, is performed by a city or county police department and only covers criminal offenses committed within that entity’s jurisdiction.

No matter which kind of background check apostille you need, SF Notary’s apostille experts can help you obtain your background check apostille quickly and securely. For more information or to place your order, please email [email protected] or call +1 (415) 655-9455.

Click on the type of background check you need to learn how the apostille process works.

Disclaimer: Information on this website is for informational purposes only. These instructions are based on our knowledge and experience and are meant to be helpful; however, they might contain errors. Please let us know if you encounter mistakes so that we can promptly correct them. SF Notary + Apostille is not a law firm, and its agents are not attorneys. Please contact a licensed attorney or your local bar association for counsel on legal matters.