If you need to use your apostille for FBI background check abroad, whether for immigration, employment, or legal purposes, you will likely need to get it apostilled. An apostille is an official certification that verifies the authenticity of a document so it can be recognized internationally, specifically in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. The process of getting an apostille for an FBI background check involves several steps to ensure the document is officially authenticated for use overseas.

First, you must obtain a certified copy of your FBI background check, which can be requested directly from the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. The FBI background check is a thorough report that includes details about your criminal history (or the absence thereof) in the U.S. You can request this check by submitting the appropriate forms and fingerprints to the FBI. Once you receive your FBI report, it will be an official document that is ready to be apostilled.

Need to Apostille Your FBI Report? Here’s How

Next, you will need to submit the FBI background check to the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications to receive the apostille. This office is responsible for apostilling federal documents, including the FBI background check. To request an apostille, you must complete Form DS-4194 and submit it along with the original FBI background check, a check or money order for the processing fee (currently $20 per document), and a prepaid return envelope.

Once the documents are submitted and processed, the Department of State will attach an apostille to your FBI background check. This apostille certifies that the document is authentic and can be used in any country that recognizes the apostille. The entire process typically takes several weeks, but expedited services may be available for an additional fee.

In essence, getting an apostille for an FBI background check ensures the document is internationally recognized and legally valid in the country where it will be used. To further understand the role of apostilles and the process involved, you can learn more about it through the Hague Apostille Convention.