FBI Background Check Apostille
Going abroad for work, residency, or immigration? Your FBI background check must be authenticated at the federal level before another country will accept it. We handle the entire process through the U.S. Department of State, so your document is ready and accepted where you are going.
What Is a Federal Apostille?
(FBI Background Check - CRBA - Naturalization)
An FBI background check, officially called an Identity History Summary, is a federal record based on your fingerprint submissions, maintained by the FBI. Many countries require one to satisfy a requirement to live, work, study, or gain residency there, as proof of your background.
Because it is a federal document, it cannot be apostilled by the Texas Secretary of State like a birth certificate or state document. Instead, it must be authenticated by the Federal Authority. This is the single most common point of confusion, and getting it wrong costs weeks.
FBI Apostille Price & Speed Options
FBI background checks are federal documents, authenticated through the U.S. Department of State. Choose the turnaround that fits your deadline. Every tier includes our full federal handling.
- Full federal authentication path, U.S. Department of State
- Document compliance review before submission
- Return shipping options
- The patient option when your deadline is far out
- Concierge pickup across Greater Houston
- Prioritized federal handling, faster turnaround
- Document acceptance support
- Proactive updates on your case
- Return shipping options
- Everything in Gold, at our fastest speed
- Concierge pickup across Greater Houston
- Expedited processing, routing overseen end to end
- Hand delivery or shipping included, anywhere in the world
- Our fastest confirmed federal turnaround
Turnaround times are estimates based on our day-to-day experience, not guaranteed times, because federal processing depends on U.S. government queues we do not fully control. Guaranteed timelines, when offered, are stated in writing on your invoice or service order. Embassy legalization, if your destination country requires it, is a separate service. Concierge pickup is available in the Greater Houston area.
How the Process Works
You obtain your FBI Identity History Summary first
You must request your own FBI background check directly through the FBI or an FBI-approved channeler, which includes completing the fingerprinting and application yourself. Once the FBI issues your results, you are ready for the next step.
Send us your FBI results
Once you have your FBI Identity History Summary, email it to us or bring the copy to our Katy office. We confirm it is the correct, current version and ready for authentication.
We authenticate it federally
We submit your document to the U.S. Department of State for the federal Apostille. If your destination country is not a Hague member, your document will also need embassy legalization, which we offer as a separate service.
You receive your finished document
When your authenticated FBI background check is ready, you can pick it up at our Katy office or have it returned to you by hand delivery, courier, or shipping, anywhere in the world.
FBI Apostille FAQs
Do you order the FBI background check for me?
No. You must request your own FBI Identity History Summary and complete the fingerprinting and application yourself, directly through the FBI or an FBI-approved channeler. We do not order background checks or provide fingerprinting. Once you have your results, we authenticate them for use abroad.
Does the digital PDF version work, or do I need a printed copy?
In most cases the FBI issues your Identity History Summary as a digital PDF, and that is what we work from. Send us your results and we will confirm the version is correct and ready for federal authentication before anything moves forward.
How long does an FBI Apostille take?
On your own, the federal authentication process can drag on for 10 to 12 weeks. Our service method moves much faster. With our handling we have completed FBI Apostilles in as little as 2 weeks, and we offer expedited federal processing for tight deadlines. Once we review your document, we give you a clear timeline. If you have a hard deadline, tell us and we will match the right speed to it.
Which countries require an apostilled FBI check?
Many countries request an FBI background check for work visas, residency, immigration, or long-term stays. If your destination is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, a federal Apostille is all you need. If it is not, embassy legalization is also required, which we offer as a separate service. See our full list of Hague countries to check your destination.
Get your FBI Apostille done in weeks, not months.
Once you have your FBI Identity History Summary, send it to us and we handle the federal authentication fast. Email your PDF or start online, whichever is easier for you.