FBI Background Check Apostille and Legalization

Need an FBI background check apostille? SF Notary + Apostille explains how the process works.

What is an FBI background check?

A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check is a summary of "certain information taken from fingerprint submissions kept by the FBI and related to arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service," according to the FBI.

Additionally, FBI background checks are also called Identity History Summaries, criminal history records, rap sheets, or federal background checks.

What is an FBI background check apostille?

An FBI background check apostille is a certification process that validates your FBI-reported criminal record so that it can be legally recognized by foreign governments and entities. Overseas parties may require an apostilled copy of your background check for matters that include your application to live, work, or study abroad.

The US Department of State (DOS) apostille process begins with the submission of an official FBI background check. Our agent in Washington, DC, personally prints out the PDF and drops it off at the US DOS. A DOS staff member first reviews the document to confirm that it is eligible for an apostille and then verifies the signature of the FBI official who signed the certificate. If the document meets all requirements, the State Department issues a numbered apostille certificate, which is attached to the FBI rap sheet. The apostille is then permanently bound to the document with a rivet and crimped with a raised seal. Once the apostilled document is ready, our agent retrieves it and ships it via FedEx.

At the present time, it is taking about two weeks to obtain a US State Department apostille on an FBI background check, and there is no rush service available. 

Countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention (such as Thailand and the UAE) require additional embassy or consulate legalization. We will detail the additional authentication services required and the timeline for obtaining them in our price quote. (See Step 2 below).

How do I get my FBI background check apostilled or legalized?

Before you begin, understand that fingerprints are required

Fingerprints are required to obtain your FBI Identity History Summary.

If you are in the United States, the fastest and easiest option is usually to have your fingerprints submitted electronically at a participating U.S. Post Office. After completing your application, the FBI system will show you local options. Post Offices that offer passport services often offer FBI LiveScan fingerprinting.

Electronic fingerprinting services that connect directly to the FBI system can be difficult to find outside the United States, so mailing a fingerprint card is often the most practical option. We recommend having your fingerprints taken by a trained technician and mailing the completed fingerprint card to the FBI. The FBI currently recommends the Form FD-1164 fingerprint card.

Step 1: Place an FBI Background Check / Identity History Summary Summary Request with the FBI

To start the application process, visit the FBI Electronic Departmental Order website and enter your personal email address at the bottom of the page.

The FBI will send you an email with a link to the application and a PIN to access it. Fill in all sections of the application. When you get to Fingerprint Card, we highly recommend choosing Electronic Submission via Third-Party if you are located in the United States. Fingerprint cards received via mail can take up to 40 days to process. If you are not currently in the United States, you may have to submit a physical fingerprint card. Check with your local US Embassy or Consulate for fingerprint options.

 At the end of the application, you will be redirected to pay the fee. Then you will receive a confirmation email. Bring this email with you to a Live Scan location, along with a valid US ID such as a driver license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card. 

NOTE: The FBI website only mentions US Post Office locations as the place to go for Live Scan fingerprinting. It may or may not properly direct you to a list of post offices that offer Live Scan services. However, clients have reported to us that Fieldprint USA has a more comprehensive list of authorized Live Scan locations, and it also allows you to schedule in advance.

At the Live Scan location you will submit all ten of your fingerprints, and the information will be shared electronically with the FBI. Usually, within a couple of days of being fingerprinted, you will be able to retrieve an electronic PDF copy of your FBI background check. The link and PIN will arrive to you by email from edo@services.fbi.gov, and the email looks like this:

Step 2: Email Us for a Price Quote

Costs vary depending on the country in which the FBI background check will be used, whether embassy legalization is required, and the final shipping destination.

For a quick price quote, email info@sfnotary.com with the following information:

• Your name, address, and telephone number

• The country in which the document will be used

• The recipient’s name, delivery address, telephone number, and email address, if you would like us to ship the completed document to a third party

We will respond promptly with a price quote.

Step 3: Send Us Your FBI Background Check

After your fingerprints are submitted electronically, you should receive an email from edo@services.fbi.gov containing a link and password to download your FBI background check. This often occurs within a few hours. Just dDownload the report and email it to info@sfnotary.com.

If you only have the paper background check mailed to you by the FBI, we can email you a prepaid FedEx Priority Overnight label. Simply print the label and use it to ship the document to us.

Once your FBI report enters the apostille process, we will email you an invoice with several payment options, including a secure credit card payment link.

Step 4: We Handle the Apostille or Authentication and Shipping

If your FBI background check will be used in a Hague Apostille Convention country, we will obtain an apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., usually within two weeks.

If the document will be used in a non-Hague country, we can obtain the required U.S. Department of State authentication and embassy legalization for an additional fee. Embassy processing times vary by country.

Once the process is complete, we will ship your document by FedEx Priority Overnight within the United States or FedEx International Priority to an overseas destination.

Contact us about an FBI background check apostille

For more information or to place your order, please email info@sfnotary.com or call +1 (415) 655-9455.

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.