Question 1

Why does an FBI background check require a federal apostille?

Accepted Answer

FBI background checks (Identity History Summaries) are issued by a federal agency, not a state government. Therefore, they must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., rather than by state Secretary of State offices. This federal apostille certifies the authenticity of the FBI seal and signature for international use.

Question 2

How is your 7-10 day service faster than the standard 3-6 weeks?

Accepted Answer

We use an expedited service with established relationships at the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications. While individuals mailing their documents directly face long processing queues (3-6 weeks), our expedited service prioritizes submissions and retrieves completed apostilles immediately, reducing the timeline to just 10 business days.

Question 3

Can I upload my FBI PDF directly, or do I need to mail the original?

Accepted Answer

Since the FBI issues digital PDF Identity History Summaries, you can securely upload your PDF through our portal. We'll print it on high-quality paper and submit it to the Department of State for apostille. No need to mail anything—your process starts the moment we receive your digital file!

Question 4

Can a local Texas notary apostille an FBI background check?

Accepted Answer

No. A Texas notary — or any state notary — cannot apostille an FBI background check. FBI documents are federal records, which means they must go through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. for apostille certification. Texas Secretary of State apostilles only apply to state-issued documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and notarized documents.

Question 5

How long does an FBI channeler background check take to get apostilled?

Accepted Answer

FBI-approved channelers can get you an Identity History Summary in as little as 24-48 hours, but their optional apostille forwarding services rely on the same standard U.S. Department of State mail-in queue that takes 3-6 weeks. By using our expedited service instead, you get guaranteed 7-10 business day federal apostille processing, bypassing the multi-week bottleneck entirely.

Question 6

Do I need to get my FBI background check from a specific source?

Accepted Answer

No. We accept FBI Identity History Summaries from any official source, including directly from FBI.gov or from FBI-approved channelers. As long as your document has the official FBI seal and signature, we can process it for apostille certification.

Question 7

Which countries accept FBI Background Check Apostilles?

Accepted Answer

FBI Background Check Apostilles are recognized in all 120+ countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. This includes popular destinations like Spain, Italy, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, Canada (some provinces), Japan, South Korea, and many more.

Question 8

What if my FBI background check is older? Can it still be apostilled?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The U.S. Department of State does not have an expiration policy for apostilling FBI background checks. As long as your document has the original FBI seal and signature, we can get it apostilled regardless of its age. However, some foreign countries may have their own requirements about how recent the document must be (typically 3-6 months).

Question 9

Is your 7-10 day guarantee really guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our expedited service guarantees your apostilled FBI background check will be completed and shipped back to you within 10 business days from the moment we receive your document and completed order. If we don't meet this timeline due to our error, we'll refund your service fee. Please note: Our guarantee does not cover delays or closures by the U.S. Department of State, federal holidays, or other government-related interruptions beyond our control.

Question 10

What's included in your pricing?

Accepted Answer

Our pricing is all-inclusive with no hidden fees. It covers: the U.S. Department of State apostille, expedited service, document printing and preparation, secure digital upload portal, real-time tracking updates, customer support, and return shipping to your address. The only thing not included is if you need rush overnight return shipping, which is available for an additional fee.

Question 11

Does my FBI background check need a watermark or seal for apostille?

Accepted Answer

Your FBI background check must have the official FBI seal (a raised embossed seal visible on the document) for the U.S. Department of State to accept it for apostille. Digital watermarks alone are not sufficient. When you request your Identity History Summary from the FBI, make sure to select the option that includes the official embossed seal. If your document only has a printed watermark or digital seal, contact the FBI or your channeler to request a properly sealed copy before submitting for apostille.

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