| Direct Answer: An FBI background check (Identity History Summary) is a federal document. Federal apostilles are issued exclusively by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, DC—not the FBI and not state Secretaries of State. You can handle the process yourself via mail for $20 plus shipping (5–6 weeks turnaround) or hire a Washington, DC courier service for expedited hand-delivery (~9 business days). |
Who Issues an FBI Background Check Apostille? (State vs. Federal)
An FBI Identity History Summary originates at the federal level, meaning it requires federal-level authentication.
- The FBI: Issues the criminal background check, but does not issue apostille certificates.
- State Secretaries of State: Authenticate state and local records (e.g., birth certificates, local notarizations). They cannot process federal FBI reports.
- U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications: The sole authority authorized to issue a federal apostille for an FBI background check.
If your destination country participates in the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, you will receive a federal apostille. If the receiving country is non-Hague (e.g., UAE, Qatar, China), your document requires federal authentication followed by embassy legalization.
Do I Need to Notarize an FBI Background Check Before Getting an Apostille?
No. For standard federal authentication, you should not notarize an official FBI report.
Notarizing a printed copy creates a separate notarized record. This shifts your document into a state-level authentication path through a Secretary of State rather than securing a federal apostille on the original FBI document. Submit the official FBI eDO PDF or original hard copy directly to the federal government unless your receiving authority abroad explicitly specifies a notarized copy.
Step-by-Step DIY Guide: Mailing Your FBI Report to the U.S. Department of State
Handling the process yourself is valid and economical if your timeline is flexible.
- Obtain the Official FBI Report: Download your PDF Identity History Summary directly from the FBI eDO portal or an approved channeler.
- Complete Form DS-4194: Fill out the U.S. Department of State Request for Authentications Service form, explicitly naming the destination country.
- Attach the Government Fee: Include a check or money order for $20 per document payable to “U.S. Department of State.”
- Supply Pre-Paid Return Shipping: Include a self-addressed, pre-paid USPS Priority Mail or UPS shipping envelope with tracking.
- Mail to the Intake Facility:
U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications
44132 Mercure Cir, PO Box 1206
Sterling, VA 20166-1206
2026 FBI Apostille Fees & Processing Times: DIY vs. DC Service
| Feature / Metric | DIY Mail-In Method | Washington, DC Courier Service
|
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | U.S. Department of State | U.S. Department of State |
| Submission Method | USPS Mail Depot (Sterling, VA) | In-Person Courier (Washington, DC) |
| Typical 2026 Turnaround | 5–6 weeks (plus shipping) | ~9 business days (Expedited) / ~3 weeks (Standard) |
| Total Estimated Cost | ~$50–$80 ($20 fee + shipping) | Service Fee ($125–$195) + $20 Cert Fee |
| Pre-Submission Review | Self-verified | Professional verification included |
| Best Suited For | Flexible deadlines (8+ weeks available) | Tight deadlines (visas, employment, moving) |
Common DIY Mistakes That Cause Multi-Week Delays
Most rejections stem from minor administrative errors that become apparent only after weeks in the mail queue:
- Routing to a State Office: Submitting a federal FBI document to a local Secretary of State.
- Omitting Form DS-4194 Data: Leaving the destination country blank on the State Department request form.
- Document Expiration: Foreign authorities often require background checks issued within the last 3 to 6 months. Mail processing delays can render your report expired upon receipt.
- Invalid Payment Formats: Enclosing cash or credit card details instead of an official check or money order.
Decision Framework: When to DIY vs. Hire a DC Service
Choose the DIY Mail-In Route If:
- You have at least 8 to 10 weeks before your document submission deadline.
- You are submitting a single, straightforward electronic FBI report.
- You are comfortable executing federal forms and handling tracked shipping logistics.
Hire a Washington, DC Service If:
- Your visa, residency, or employment deadline is within 3 to 4 weeks.
- You are coordinating multiple document types across federal and state jurisdictions.
- Your receiving country is non-Hague, requiring embassy or consular legalization.
- A rejection or multi-week delay would lead to canceled travel, lost job offers, or missed legal filings.
| Verification Tip: Before hiring any provider, ask: “Are you submitting my FBI report for a federal apostille, a state apostille, or embassy legalization—and why?” A qualified specialist will explain the precise legal path for your target country. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the FBI issue apostilles for its own reports?
No. The FBI issues the background check, but federal apostilles are issued by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications.
Can an electronic PDF FBI report receive an apostille?
Yes. The official electronic PDF issued directly by the FBI eDO system is accepted for federal authentication.
How long is an apostilled FBI background check valid?
Apostille certificates do not carry an explicit expiration date. However, foreign governments and consulates generally require the underlying FBI background check to be issued within the last 3 to 6 months.
What if my destination country is not part of the Hague Convention?
Documents for non-Hague nations require federal authentication from the State Department followed by embassy legalization through the destination country’s embassy in Washington, DC.
Properly authenticating an FBI background check requires aligning your document type with the correct government authority. If you have open timelines, submitting directly to the U.S. Department of State saves money while delivering the exact same official federal certificate. When timing is critical, utilizing a Washington, DC service provides speed, submission verification, and process security.
About the Author
Aziz Bekishov is the Founder & CEO of DC Mobile Notary, located in Washington, DC. Established in 2016, DC Mobile Notary assists individuals and corporations with federal and state apostilles, embassy legalization, and international document authentication.
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