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FBI APOSTILLE FAQ FBI Apostille in Miami: Federal Background Check Authentication FBI APOSTILLE Click here to submit your FBI PDF -> JUMP TO A SECTION What Is an FBI ApostilleWhere to StartFingerprintingRequesting Your Background CheckThe Apostille ProcessRequirementsCommon MistakesApostille vs. AuthenticationCountries That Require ItTranslationsFAQ OVERVIEW What Is an FBI Apostille An FBI apostille is an official authentication issued by the U.S. Department of State, verifying the legitimacy of an FBI background check for international use. This certification is required in countries that recognize the Hague Apostille Convention, and is commonly needed for work visas, immigration applications, dual citizenship filings, and legal matters abroad. Without an apostille, an FBI background check may not be accepted outside the United States, no matter how legitimate the underlying document is. It's important to understand that the FBI itself does not issue apostilles. The FBI issues the background check, and the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. is the only federal authority permitted to attach the apostille certifying that document for international use. This is different from state-level documents like birth or marriage certificates, which are apostilled by the relevant state's Secretary of State instead. We process your FBI apostille in our Miami office, and submit it to the U.S. Department of State through expeditors at our Washington, D.C. office, so you don't have to travel or mail documents directly to the federal government yourself. We handle the entire process from start to finish, whether you already have your background check results in hand, or you still need to get fingerprinted before you can request one. TWO STARTING POINTS Where Are You in the Process? I already have my FBI resultsUpload or send us your background check and we'll handle apostille submission, payment coordination, and shipping. Click here to submit them > I haven't been fingerprinted yetYou'll need fingerprints on file before the FBI can issue a background check. Come to either Miami location for fingerprinting, we'll get you set up. Book a fingerprinting appointment > FINGERPRINTING If You Haven't Been Fingerprinted Yet An FBI background check request requires a completed fingerprint card (the FD-258 form) or an electronic fingerprint submission through an FBI-approved channeler. If you haven't been fingerprinted, Miami Dade Apostille offers fingerprinting at both Miami locations, walk-ins are welcome, or you can book ahead. Once your fingerprints are captured, they're submitted along with your request for the background check itself, either by mail directly to the FBI, or electronically through a channeler. Once your background check is issued, bring or send it to us and we'll take it from there for apostille processing. REQUESTING YOUR BACKGROUND CHECK Two Ways to Get Your FBI Background Check Before an FBI background check can be apostilled, it has to be requested and issued. There are two accepted paths, and the one you choose affects how quickly you'll have a document in hand: Direct Request by Mail You submit a fingerprint card, a completed request form, and payment directly to the FBI's CJIS Division by mail. This is the traditional route and does not require a third party, but it depends entirely on USPS mail transit time in both directions plus FBI processing time. FBI-Approved Channeler An FBI-approved channeler submits your fingerprints electronically and can often return results significantly faster than a mailed request. This is the route most people use when they're on a deadline for a visa, apostille, or immigration filing. Either method produces a background check that is eligible for a federal apostille, the apostille process itself is identical regardless of which path you used to obtain the underlying document. HOW IT WORKS The FBI Apostille Process Obtain Your FBI Background CheckRequest a digital or printed copy from the FBI directly or through an approved channeler, after being fingerprinted. Submit for Apostille CertificationYour document is processed in our Miami office, then hand-delivered by our expeditors to the U.S. Department of State through our Washington, D.C. office, not by any state. ProcessingWe process most FBI apostilles in 10 days or less. DeliveryCompleted apostilles are shipped to you, domestically or internationally. REQUIREMENTS What You'll Need A valid FBI background check, issued within the last 3-6 months A completed application form, if required by the destination country Fingerprints on file, if you haven't requested a background check before A certified translation, if the destination country doesn't use English For legal use abroad, always verify the specific requirements of the receiving country before submitting your documents, requirements can vary even between two countries that are both Hague Apostille Convention members. COMMON MISTAKES What Causes Delays or Rejection Using a State Background Check Instead of an FBI Report State or local police background checks are apostilled by that state's Secretary of State, but most countries requiring an FBI apostille specifically want the federal FBI report, a state-level check will be rejected even if it's apostilled correctly for a different purpose. An Expired or Outdated Report Many countries require the FBI background check to be dated within the last three to six months of submission. A report that was accurate when issued can still be rejected simply for being too old by the time it reaches the receiving authority. Submitting Before the Destination Country's Requirements Are Confirmed Translation format, notarization of the translation, and document validity windows differ by country. Confirming requirements with the receiving consulate or authority before starting the apostille process avoids having to redo the entire submission. Assuming the FBI Apostilles Its Own Documents The FBI issues the background check, but has no role in apostille certification. Only the U.S. Department of State can apostille it, sending a request to the wrong federal office causes unnecessary delay. APOSTILLE VS. AUTHENTICATION Which One Do You Need? An apostille is a simplified, single-certificate authentication used between countries that are both members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If the destination country is not a member, an apostille alone will not be accepted, the document instead needs full consular authentication and legalization, a multi-step process that typically involves the U.S. Department of State and then the destination country's embassy or consulate. Whether your FBI background check needs an apostille or full legalization depends entirely on whether the destination country is a Hague Apostille Convention member. See our Hague Apostille guide for more on this distinction. COVERAGE Countries That Commonly Require an FBI Apostille Europe, the Middle East, and virtually all of Latin America require an FBI apostille for immigration, work visa, residency, and citizenship purposes: Mexico Guatemala Belize Honduras El Salvador Nicaragua Costa Rica Panama Colombia Venezuela Ecuador Peru Brazil Paraguay Uruguay Argentina Chile Dominican Republic Spain Italy Portugal Germany United Arab Emirates Qatar Saudi Arabia This isn't an exhaustive list, dozens of countries require an FBI apostille for immigration, work visa, and citizenship purposes. Requirements and validity windows change over time, always confirm current requirements with the receiving consulate before submitting. A Note on Bolivia, Cuba, and Haiti: These three Latin American and Caribbean countries are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention, an FBI apostille alone will not be accepted there. Documents for these countries instead require full consular legalization through that country's embassy, which we also handle. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Translations and Expedited Options We provide certified translations for non-English-speaking destination countries. In some cases, the translation itself also needs to be notarized or apostilled, depending on the receiving country's requirements, we can advise on this before you submit. Expedited processing is available for urgent requests. A Note on Federal Processing Limits: To comply with U.S. Department of State regulations, there is a daily limit on in-person apostille submissions for federal documents. Any provider claiming unlimited processing is not giving you accurate information. We commit to honest, transparent timelines while working within these regulations, and offer multiple service levels to fit different needs. Call NowMessage Us on WhatsAppRequest Apostille ProcessingGet Document Reviewed RELATED RESOURCES Helpful Pages FBI Apostille Hague Apostille Certified Translations Academic Document Apostille US Apostille Processing About Miami Dade Apostille FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Common Questions GENERAL Do you process the FBI apostille in your Miami office, or do I have to go to Washington, D.C.? Everything starts in our Miami office, you never have to travel to Washington, D.C. yourself. We handle submission to the U.S. Department of State through expeditors at our D.C. office on your behalf. What is an FBI apostille and why is it needed? It's an authentication issued by the U.S. Department of State that verifies an FBI background check for use in Hague Apostille Convention countries, commonly required for work visas, immigration, and legal matters abroad. Does the FBI apostille its own background checks? No. The FBI issues the background check, but only the U.S. Department of State can apostille it. How long does an FBI apostille take? We process most FBI apostilles in 10 days or less, not including mailing time. Expedited processing may be available for urgent requests. Can a state background check be apostilled instead of an FBI one? No. FBI background checks must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., a state apostille is not valid for this document, and most countries specifically require the federal FBI report. FINGERPRINTING & REQUESTING YOUR REPORT What if I haven't been fingerprinted yet? You'll need fingerprints on file before the FBI can issue a background check. We offer fingerprinting at both Miami locations, walk-ins welcome or by appointment. What's the difference between requesting my FBI check by mail versus through a channeler? A direct mail request goes straight to the FBI and depends on postal transit time in both directions. An FBI-approved channeler submits fingerprints electronically and often returns results faster, which is useful when working against a deadline. Does the FBI background check need to be recently issued? Yes. Most countries require the FBI background check to have been issued within the last three to six months. PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS Is there a limit on how many federal apostilles can be submitted per day? Yes. The U.S. Department of State enforces a daily limit on in-person apostille submissions for federal documents, this applies to any provider, not just Miami Dade Apostille. Can documents be submitted entirely online? Yes. Documents can be uploaded digitally, we handle submission, payment coordination, and shipping from there. Do I need a translation along with my apostille? For non-English-speaking destination countries, a certified translation is often required alongside the apostilled document, and in some cases the translation itself must also be notarized or apostilled. APOSTILLE VS. LEGALIZATION Does an FBI apostille work for Bolivia, Cuba, or Haiti? No. Bolivia, Cuba, and Haiti are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone isn't accepted there. Documents for these countries need full consular legalization instead, which we also handle. What is the difference between an apostille and authentication? An apostille applies to documents used in Hague Apostille Convention countries. Authentication and consular legalization, a longer multi-step process, are required for non-member countries. How do I know if the country I'm sending my document to needs an apostille or full legalization? It depends on whether that country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. If it is, an apostille is sufficient. If not, full consular legalization is required instead. OTHER FEDERAL DOCUMENTS Can diplomas, transcripts, or professional certifications also be apostilled? Yes. Diplomas, transcripts, and professional or teaching certifications can be apostilled for international study, work, or licensing purposes. For apostille, legalization, translation, or notarization, contact Miami Dade Apostille or start an order online. Start Your Order ->Book an Appointment -> A Note on Legal Advice: Miami Dade Apostille is not a law firm, and our team does not include attorneys. This page is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Always verify specific requirements with the receiving country's consulate or a licensed attorney before submitting documents.