How to Apostille Your FBI Background Check
One of the easiest ways to apostille your FBI background check is to contact an FBI Channeler and submit your fingerprints at a local live scan (fingerprint) location. Results are typically provided within 1-2 business days and can be sent to you by email in PDF format or by regular mail. The only downside to the FBI background check is the lengthy processing time at the US Department of State in Washington DC.
Yes, after almost four years since the pandemic started, the US Department of State is still taking up to twelve weeks to complete most US federal documents. For the FBI background check, it’s currently about six weeks but it can take longer depending on how busy they get!
So in once sense it’s easy to obtain the FBI background check (even if you’re in an foreign country) but on the other hand you have to wait quite a bit of time for the FBI background check to receive the apostille through the Department of State in DC. As of this article, the estimated processing time is six weeks. We have seen it done sooner than six weeks as as long as 12 weeks. Prior to the pandemic, the processing time was only four business days. Next March, and four years later after the start of the pandemic, the US Department of State is still struggling to catch up to a reasonable processing time and there is no time-frame on when they plan to open their counter desk for walk in service (even after making promises to do so over and over again). Therefore, we expect delays to continue into 2024.
If you plan to mail in your FBI background check directly to the U.S. Department of State, please note that they no longer answer their phone nor respond to emails anymore. Don’t bother completing their online form – they don’t respond. In fact, they removed their support line from their website mid-2023 during the busiest time of the year. We experienced this first hand when they stopped responding to our emails in mid-2023. Also, countless customers have expressed their concerns in reaching a live person since mid-2023. If you do mail in your documents to the Department of State, please note that they can take up to twelve weeks. As their saying goes, “you’ll know your documents are done when you receive them”.
Countries like Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, Israel, and China will ask for you to obtain a background check from the FBI. Some countries might make an exception and accept a background check from the local Police, Sheriff, State, etc.. More details here: Background Check Apostille. Please note that an FBI background check does not expire. Most countries will accept an FBI background check with the apostille if received within six months of issue. Please double check!
We recommend that you first check with your contact in the foreign country to find out what is acceptable before you get started. When ready, contact our office for the most up-to-date estimated processing time and cost.
Office Hours: Monday – Saturday 9am – 6pm
Toll-Free: 1-888-810-4054
Int’l Callers: 771-888-1448
FBI@internationalapostille.com
Obtaining an apostille on your FBI background check can be complicated. Don’t leave this process to untrained employees or non-professionals who do not fully understand the apostille process and the unique requirements of certain countries. Your paperwork could be rejected costing you time and money. Don’t let this happen to you!
Our staff is available Monday-Saturday from 8am to 7pm to answer your questions and provide you easy to follow-step-by-step instructions. Please call us at 1-888-810-4054.
Click the PDF download image to get started. Our apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.
