How to Get an Apostille for an FBI Background Check
After you've received your FBI background check, the next step is getting it apostilled. Getting an apostille for an FBI background check involves a few steps.
(If you haven't read our guide on getting your FBI background check, you can read that here.)
WHAT IS AN APOSTILLE?
The first thing to know is that an apostille is basically a certificate the government attaches to an official document to certify that it can be used internationally. There are both state and federal apostilles in the U.S.
As a rule of thumb, if the document you want apostilled is a federal document, like an FBI background check, it needs to get a federal apostille. If the document has been issued by a state or county, like a birth certificate or marriage certificate, it needs a state apostille.
You can learn more about apostilles on our FAQ page.
HOW TO GET YOUR FBI BACKGROUND CHECK APOSTILLED
There are two ways to get an FBI background check apostille: expedited and normal processing. In both cases the U.S. Secretary of State will review your FBI background check and then issue the apostille.
Expedited Processing
Turnaround time: 5-10 business days
Normal Processing
Turnaround time: 1.5 - 3 months
→ Option 1: Expedited Processing
Turnaround time: 5-10 business days.
A courier will hand deliver your FBI background check to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. and then collect the apostilled document as soon as it's ready.
Blueprint Spain offers expedited service for FBI background check apostilles. We'll prepare the forms, drop off and pick up your background check in person, and ship the apostilled background check to your door. We charge $150 per apostille, which includes application fees and domestic shipping. All we need to get started is your FBI background check PDF.
Contact us here for expedited processing.
→ Option 2: Normal Processing
Turnaround time: 1.5 - 3 months.
You can mail the report yourself to the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C.
Print out your digital copy of the background check, complete Form DS-4194, add a money order or check for $20 per document, and include a prepaid return envelope.
IMPORTANT When the get the apostilled document back from the Secretary of State's office, you will need to get it officially translated. Translation should always come after the apostille because Spanish authorities want the translation to cover both the background check and the apostille.