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APOSTILLE F.B.I. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

Brief explanation how you can get your FBI Background Check with Apostille

Board of Directors

7/24/20266 min read

APOSTILLE ON THE FBI CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

F. B . I.

If you're planning to live, work, study, or adopt abroad, there's a good chance someone will ask you for an "FBI background check" — and then tell you it needs to be "apostilled." This guide walks you through all three pieces: how to get the background check, how to get it apostilled, and who typically requires one.

PART 1 : How to Get Your FBI Criminal Background Check

The document people commonly call an "FBI background check" is officially known as an Identity History Summary — sometimes referred to as a "rap sheet." It's a record of your interactions with the criminal justice system, compiled from fingerprint submissions to the FBI by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Any U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident can request their own Identity History Summary. The FBI charges $18 per request for this service, (As Today).

Three Ways to Request It

You have three options for submitting your request, each with different speed and cost trade-offs:

Option A: Directly to the FBI (Electronic)

You can submit your request electronically through the FBI's online portal. After completing the online request, you'll visit a participating U.S. Post Office location to have your fingerprints taken electronically. Additional fees may apply at the Post Office ([FBI](https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/i

Option B: Directly to the FBI (By Mail)

If you prefer paper, you can mail your request. You'll need to include:

(1) A completed request form (Form FD-1164, the Identity History Summary Request form) — signed

(2) A completed fingerprint card — with your name, date of birth, descriptive data, all 10 rolled fingerprint impressions, and plain impressions of both thumbs

(3) Payment of $18 by certified check or money order, made payable to the "Treasury of the United States" (cash and personal/business checks are not accepted) ; You must include your Contact information (email or phone)

Mail everything to: FBI CJIS Division — Summary Request 1000 Custer Hollow Road Clarksburg, WV 26306

Option C: Through an FBI-Approved Channeler

For faster turnaround, you can use an FBI-approved channeler — a private business that contracts with the FBI to collect your fingerprints and data, forward them electronically to the FBI's CJIS Division, and deliver the results back to you. Channelers charge their own fees on top of the FBI's $18, but they typically deliver results much faster than mailing directly to the FBI.

A Critical Detail: FBI Authentication

Here's something many people miss: the FBI authenticates all fingerprint search results at the time of issuance by placing its watermark and the signature of a division official directly on the results. The FBI will not authenticate previously processed results after the fact — so if you already received results without authentication, you'll need to submit a new request. Make sure the result you receive includes the FBI watermark and division official's signature, as that's what the Office of Authentications needs to see.

Part 2: How to Get Your FBI Background Check Apostilled

Why the FBI Document Goes to the State Department (Not the State)

Because an FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document, it cannot be apostilled by a state's Secretary of State. Instead, it must go through the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications — the federal authority designated under the Hague Apostille Convention to issue apostilles for U.S. federal documents.

The Office of Authentications issues two types of certificates, and the destination country determines which one you need:

(1) Apostille certificate — if the country where you'll use the document is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention

(2) Authentication certificate — if the destination country is not a Convention party (you'll typically also need embassy/consular legalization afterward)

What to Include in Your Request

You'll need to submit four things:

1. Form DS-4194 — the official request form. You must list the country in which you will use the document, as this determines whether you receive an apostille or an authentication certificate.

2. The FBI background check itself — the authenticated original (with the FBI watermark and division official's signature). Make sure seals and signatures are originals.

3. The fee —As today is $20 per document.

4. A self-addressed, prepaid return envelope — with postage or an air bill already affixed. Use USPS or UPS (do not use FedEx for the return envelope)

Recommendation Important: Do Not Notarize the Document

The State Department is very clear on this: do not notarize your FBI background check. If you do, "your document will no longer be valid." The document should already bear the FBI's official watermark and the signature of a division official — that's the authentication the Office of Authentications needs to see .

How to Submit

You have two main options:

By Mail (if you have more than 5 weeks before travel)

Mail your Form DS-4194, the FBI document, fee, and prepaid return envelope to:

Office of Authentications > U.S. Department of State > 44132 Mercure Circle > P.O. Box 1206 > Sterling, VA 20166-1206

Processing time: Around of 5 weeks from the date they receive it, can it take more time if the demand increase seasonally.

Payment: check or money order payable to the "U.S. Department of State" (check numbers must be over 100; and include your preprinted name and address)

Tip: Use trackable USPS mail so you can confirm arrival at the Sterling, VA postal facility

In Person (if you have 2–3 weeks before travel)

Drop off your materials Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., at:

> 600 19th Street NW > Washington, D.C. 20006

- **Processing time:** 7 business days

Payment: credit card, debit card, or contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) — no cash, checks, or money orders accepted in person

-Limits: one request per day, up to 15 documents per customer or company

If You Need a Translation

If the destination country requires the document to be translated, use a professional translator and have the translation notarized — not the original FBI document ([U.S. Department of State.

Part 3: Who Requires an FBI Criminal Background Check?

FBI background checks are most commonly required when a U.S. citizen needs to prove a clean criminal record to a foreign government, employer, or institution. Below are common situations where one may be request.

1. Obtaining a Visa or Residency Abroad

Many countries require a criminal background check as part of a visa or residency application. The FBI Identity History Summary is the standard way for U.S. citizens to demonstrate their criminal record (or lack thereof) to immigration authorities abroad ([U.S. Department of State](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/living-abroad/criminal-records.html)).

2. Teaching English Abroad

This is one of the most common reasons people request an FBI background check. Many countries require a criminal background check — often apostilled — as part of the work visa process for foreign English teachers. Schools and immigration authorities want to verify that applicants have no disqualifying criminal history.

3. Working Abroad (General Employment)

Beyond teaching, many foreign employers require a background check as a condition of employment, especially for positions involving children, vulnerable populations, finance, or security. The FBI check serves as the U.S. equivalent of a national police clearance.

4. International Adoption

Adopting a child from another country — or completing an adoption recognized across borders — involves extensive documentation, and a clean criminal record is almost always required by both the sending and receiving countries' authorities.

5. Applying for Dual Citizenship

Some countries require proof of no criminal record as part of a citizenship-by-descent or naturalization application. An FBI background check, properly apostilled, is the standard document for U.S. residents seeking citizenship in another country.

6. Reviewing Your Record Before Immigration Filings

Some people request their own FBI Identity History Summary before filing immigration-related applications to review their record in advance. If you're in this situation, follow the specific agency's instructions — many immigration authorities collect biometrics directly rather than asking applicants to bring their own background check.

The Bottom Line

The Apostille process for an FBI Background Check is a complex process that takes place entirely in Washington D.C., and only companies that have agents dedicated to providing that service on-site can make things easier for you. For a modest fee, the INTEGRAMERICA.ORG Association has been offering advice and support in the FBI Background Check Apostille process so that you don’t have to travel for it.

Plan ahead — the combined process (FBI background check + apostille) can take several weeks or more. The State Department's mail processing step alone may take up to about five weeks, and the FBI background check request adds time on top of that.