How to Get an FBI Background Check Apostille in Washington DC

If you are planning to work, study, or relocate abroad, getting an FBI background check apostille in Washington DC is one of the most important steps you will need to complete. Before your FBI report is accepted internationally, it must be authenticated with an apostille. It is a certification that verifies your document as legitimate and valid for foreign use.

This detailed blog walks you through everything you need to know about getting an FBI background check apostille in Washington, DC. From what an apostille is and why it’s required, to step-by-step instructions on applying through the U.S. Department of State.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to get your FBI apostilled in Washington, DC, the right way! 

An FBI Background Check Apostille is an official certification that verifies your FBI background report as authentic and legally valid for international use. Most foreign governments require this extra layer of verification to ensure that your criminal history record is legitimate and issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

An FBI apostille is issued exclusively by the US Department of State in Washington, DC under the Hague Apostille Convention. This is an international treaty that simplifies the legalization of public documents between member countries. Once attached, the apostille certifies the signature, seal, and authority of the FBI official who issued the background check.

In simpler terms, this means your FBI report becomes globally recognized, making it valid for legal, educational, immigration, or employment purposes in any of the 125+ Hague Convention member countries.

Without this certification, even a genuine FBI background check may be rejected by foreign embassies, employers, or universities. That’s why obtaining an apostille is a mandatory step for US citizens and foreign nationals who plan to present their FBI background check outside the United States.

An FBI apostille not only confirms the authenticity of your record, but also speeds up approval processes abroad, as it eliminates the need for further embassy legalization.

The requirement of an FBI background check apostille applies to many life situations, not just one type of applicant. Common reasons include:

• Immigration or Residency Visas: Countries like Spain, Portugal, and Germany ask for a clean criminal record as part of their visa or residency process.
• Work Visas Abroad: Many employers overseas, especially in the Middle East and parts of Asia, want proof that you have no criminal history before they sponsor your work visa.

• Studying Abroad: Universities and student visa programs in several countries require this document before enrollment.
• Marriage or Citizenship Applications: If you are marrying a foreign national or applying for citizenship through marriage, some countries such as Italy and Portugal ask for this check.
• Adopting a Child From Another Country: Adoption agencies and foreign governments need this to confirm the adopting parents have no criminal record.
• Professional Licensing Overseas: Doctors, teachers, lawyers, and engineers usually need this document to get licensed to practice in another country.
• Investment or Golden Visa Programs: Countries like Portugal, Greece, and Italy require this for investor visa applicants and often for their family members too.
• International Business Setup: Some countries ask for this when a US citizen wants to start a business or become a company director abroad.

The US Department of State in Washington DC, is the only authority that can issue an apostille for FBI background checks. You cannot obtain an FBI apostille from your Secretary of State office, even if you live in California, Texas, New York, or any other state, because the FBI is a federal agency, and only a federal-level office can authenticate documents issued by federal authorities.

The apostille is handled specifically by the Office of Authentications, which is based in Washington, DC. Their Virginia office processes apostille requests submitted by mail.

Obtaining an FBI background check apostilled in Washington, DC, can initially feel overwhelming, but once you understand the correct steps, the process becomes much easier and less stressful. Let's break it down.

Step 1: Request Your FBI Background Check

You have three ways to request this document from the FBI. Each one needs your fingerprints, your basic personal details, and a fee of $18 USD per copy:

Once you receive your Identity History Summary, keep it safe and unfolded if possible.

Read: How to Get an FBI Background Check & Submit It for Apostille

Step 2: Complete Form DS-4194

After you receive your FBI background check, the next step is to fill out Form DS-4194. This form is used to request an apostille from the US Department of State.

Important: Be sure to type or write using black ink only. If you make a mistake, don't try to fix it; start over with a new form. Corrections are not allowed.

When filling out the form, you'll need to include:

• Your full name and contact information (email, phone number, and mailing address)
• The country where you'll use the document
• The document type – choose a Federal document
• The type of authentication – choose an apostille

Step 3: Choose How You Want to Submit the FBI Apostille Request

There are four ways to submit your apostille request to the US Department of State:

Option 1: Apply by Mail

This option is best if your travel date is more than 10 weeks away - allowing 6 to 8 weeks for processing plus mailing time in both directions. It's convenient and ideal for applicants who are not located in Washington, DC. The mailed FBI apostille requests are processed in the US Department of State's office in Virginia.

To apply by mail, you'll need to include the following in your package:

• A completed Form DS-4194
• Your original FBI background check
• A check or money order made payable to the US Department of State
• A self-addressed, prepaid return envelope

Mail these to:

Option 2: Drop-Off or In-Person

If your travel is coming up within a month or less, dropping off your documents in person is a faster and more reliable alternative. Please bring your completed form, the original FBI background check, and the applicable fee, which can be paid by credit/debit card or in exact cash only.

Include a prepaid return envelope if you want your documents mailed back to you after processing. You can submit your apostille request between Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. at :

600 19th Street NW

Option 3: Emergency Appointment

This option is available for urgent international travel within 14 days or in life-or-death emergencies involving an immediate move abroad. You need to request an appointment by mailing the proof of travel and documentation related to the emergency or life-or-death situation. If approved, the apostille can often be issued on the same day as your appointment.

However, if your request is missing documentation or doesn't qualify, the appointment may be canceled or denied. Many applicants choose to use professional apostille services for urgent cases as these services help gather the correct documents, submit everything on time, and reduce the risk of rejection.

Option 4: FBI Apostille Services: Fastest Way

If speed matters most to you, using a specialized FBI apostille service is usually your best option. These are private companies that handle apostille requests for a living. They know the process well, and they usually have same day or next day access to the Department of State's office in Washington DC.

This is how it works:

• You send your FBI Identity History Summary to the service, either by mail or drop off, along with any other documents that need apostilling.
• The service reviews your documents to make sure there are no errors that could cause rejection.\
• They submit your request in person at the Department of State's office in DC, instead of mailing it in.
• Your apostilled document is returned to you within a few business days.

This option tends to cost more than doing it yourself by mail, since you are paying for their time and their in person access. But it saves you weeks of waiting, and it lowers the chance of your request getting rejected due to small paperwork mistakes.

The cost of obtaining an FBI apostille in Washington, DC, varies depending on your application method and any additional services needed. The US Department of State currently charges $20 per document for an FBI background check apostille in Washington DC. This covers the apostille only. If you require translation, notarization, or expedited processing, additional fees will apply.

Using an FBI channeler or a third-party apostille service may also incur additional charges for convenience, shipping, or rush options. For the most accurate pricing, it's best to contact these services directly or visit the Department of State's official website.

The FBI background check apostille processing time varies based on how you submit your documents. Mail submissions to the Sterling, Virginia office currently take 6 to 8 weeks in 2026, not including mailing time in either direction. Plan for a total of 8 to 10 weeks if mailing from outside the US.

If you choose to drop off your documents in person, the turnaround is usually faster, about 2 to 3 weeks. For urgent cases, emergency appointments can provide same-day issuance of an apostille. Third-party services often help speed up the process by handling submissions and appointments on your behalf.

No, they do not. States can apostille documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and diplomas. But an FBI background check is not a state document. It is issued by a federal agency, and that changes everything about who can apostille it.

Why States Cannot Apostille This Document

An apostille has to come from the government authority that has power over the agency that issued the original document. Since the FBI is a federal agency, only a federal authority can apostille its reports.

That authority is the US Department of State, Office of Authentications, located in Washington DC. No state Secretary of State office, in any of the 50 states, has the legal power to apostille it.

This rule applies no matter where you live or where you send your request. Even if your state office is closer to you, or usually faster for other documents, they do not have jurisdiction over federal paperwork.

What Happens If You Send It To A State Office By Mistake

• Your request will be rejected and sent back to you.
• You lose the time it took to mail it there and get it returned.
• You will still need to submit it correctly to the Department of State afterward.
• You will need to pay processing fees again.

The US Department of State apostille is issued on the original FBI background check and confirms the authenticity. It includes:

• The title “Apostille” and a reference to the Hague Convention.
• The country name.
• The name and title of the official who signed the original document.
• The agency’s name - U.S. Department of Justice, FBI.
• The place and date of certification.
• A unique reference number and the official seal of the U.S. Department of State.
• The signature of a Department of State official.

FBI background check apostille applications are often delayed, not because of eligibility issues, but due to avoidable filing errors. Understanding these can significantly improve approval speed.

If you're not comfortable handling the apostille process yourself, third-party apostille services like Globeia can manage everything on your behalf. Using our FBI apostille services can save you time and money.

We have a dedicated office in Washington, DC, and work directly with the US Department of State. Whether you need an apostille urgently or for regular processing, we ensure everything is done correctly and efficiently.

FBI Fingerprinting and Background Check Support

Globeia offers mobile fingerprinting services, whether you are located in the USA or abroad. An associate comes to your location, takes your fingerprints correctly the first time, and prepares your documents for submission.

Your fingerprints and requests are then submitted directly to the FB, coordinated through Globeia Inc. in the USA, so you do not have to handle any of the paperwork yourself.

Expedited FBI Apostille Services

Globeia's US office is located just a few blocks away from the US Department of State's Office of Authentications. This means your documents can be physically dropped off in person instead of being mailed in and left waiting in a queue. Because of this location advantage, processing time can be reduced to as little as 10 days.

Real Time Tracking

Once your application is submitted, you can track its live status at every stage, from fingerprinting to final apostille. Globeia's automated system sends you regular status updates and notifications, so you always know exactly where your document stands, without needing to call or email for updates.

Secure Delivery of Documents

Once your FBI background check has been apostilled, Globeia coordinates delivery of the final document to your address, anywhere in the world. This is done through a secure international courier, so your document reaches you safely and can be tracked right up to your doorstep.

Easy Digital Booking Portal

The entire process with Globeia is 100% remote and paperless. You simply fill in your basic details, attach the required documents, and you can apply for any of these services in just a few minutes through Globeia's smart portal.

Start your FBI Apostille application today!

Getting an FBI background check apostille in Washington DC requires four things: an original FBI Identity History Summary, a completed DS-4194 form, a payment to the US Department of State, and a prepaid return envelope.

Mail submissions take 6 to 8 weeks in 2026. In-person drop-off at 600 19th Street NW takes around 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the workload of the US Department of State. For urgent travel within 14 days, book an emergency appointment.

If you are outside the US or working against a deadline, Globeia coordinates document review, in-person submission at the Washington DC office, and return delivery on your behalf.