FBI Background Check Apostille

An FBI Background Check Apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State, not by the Secretary of State of any individual state, since FBI background checks are federal documents. Our office assists clients through this process from start to finish.

What is an FBI Background Check Apostille?

 

Individuals, employers, and government officials can examine criminal histories and arrest information on citizens and residents of the United States by using an FBI background check. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) maintains detailed records of all arrests, crimes, and suspicious activity gathered by virtually every local or federal law enforcement agency.

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An FBI Background Check Apostille is an internationally recognized certification that authenticates an FBI background check for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. The Apostille certificate, which accompanies the Apostilled FBI background check, basically verifies that the background check is a genuine document issued by the FBI and can be used for legal or official purposes in those countries, for employment, residency, or other legal requirements. 

 

FBI Criminal Record Apostille Process

 

There are several things you should understand about the FBI criminal record Apostille process when obtaining an Apostilled FBI background check. The first component of the FBI criminal record process you should understand is the "FBI Criminal History Report".  

 

An individual who runs an FBI background check essentially obtains a copy of any files that have been compiled for a certain person. This compilation of files is what makes up the FBI Criminal Record History Report. 

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An FBI Criminal Record History Report, sometimes known as a "rap sheet," will consist of vital information kept by the FBI, such as federal employment, military service, citizenship, and arrest history. The date, arresting agency, cause for the arrest, and disposition of the arrest are typically shown on the rap sheet if you have any arrests (whether you served time or charges were dropped).

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Getting An FBI Background Check For Apostille:

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• Apply directly online to the FBI for a copy of your FBI Criminal History Report

• Apply directly to the FBI and have a hard copy of your FBI Criminal History Report mailed through the U.S. Postal Service

• Use an FBI-Approved Channeler to obtain a copy of your FBI Criminal History Report

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American Apostille is not itself an FBI-Approved Channeler. Once you have obtained your FBI Background Check report, either directly from the FBI or through a channeler, we handle the apostille of that document through the U.S. Department of State, working with a partner office in Washington, D.C., on your behalf. 

 

The options for getting an Apostille for an FBI background check have the same certification requirements. A Channeler is an FBI-authorized third party that can submit your fingerprints electronically and often returns results faster than mailing your request directly to the FBI. Requirements for the background check itself are the same regardless of which submission method you use. When getting an Apostille for an FBI background check, fingerprints, and pertinent information such as your name, aliases, date of birth, current address, and more, will still need to be submitted, like any other FBI background check Apostille service.

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