How to Get an FBI Background Check Apostilled
Updated: Sep 20
By Parviz Malakouti-Fitzgerald, Esq.
If you’ve spent any time living in the United States and you’re applying for citizenship in another country, you’ll likely have to get an FBI background check, and possibly apostille it too.
An apostille is a form of authentication of a state-issued document such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or state-run background check.
Here are some common reasons someone might request an FBI background check:
Applying for a foreign visa (student, business, family reunification)
Citizenship by descent
Citizenship by investment
To check your background for U.S. immigration
In this video, I explain how to get your FBI background check apostilled by the U.S. office of authentications.
I show you how to fill out the application, make the payment, and put together the envelope to send to the U.S. office office of authentications, and how to prepare the return addressed envelope.
Don’t Hesitate to Consult with a Professional
As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, so if you want to plan out the next immigration and citizenship steps for yourself and your family, you don’t have to guess.
Book a consultation with a qualified immigration lawyer who can answer your questions, including those you didn’t know you had.
The information in this page could become outdated. The Law Office of Parviz Malakouti does not guarantee the accuracy of information presented nor assume responsibility for actions taken in reliance of this information. Each immigration case is particular and you should consult with a qualified, licensed immigration lawyer about your case before taking any steps.
FBI Background Check Apostille FAQs
Q: Does the FBI background check (IdHS) need to be notarized before being sent to the office of authentications for an apostille?
No! Once and for all, it does not need to be notarized.
Q: Is it a problem if my address on the FBI background check (IdHS) is different than the address I write on the DS-4194 for requesting the apostille?
No, it's not a problem.
Q: Is there any way to expedite the apostille process?
No. The only way to save time is to send your apostille request with overnight mail/shipping and include a pre-paid return label for overnight mail/shipping with your request.
Q: Who do I make the check payable to?
"U.S. Department of State" per the instructions on the DS-4194 as of June 1st, 2023.
Q: If I am requesting an apostille for both an FBI background check and another document, do I have to pay one apostille fee of $20 or multiple apostille fees?
You must pay one apostille fee of $20 per document you are requesting to get apostilled.
Q: Do i need to send my photocopies of passport and green card together with the application of apostille of FBI background check?
No.
Click here to read more about FBI background checks.
Other Articles of Interest:
Americans Want a Second Citizenship
Slovak Citizenship by Descent - How to Prepare!
2nd Citizenship: FBI Background Check Complete Guide