How do I order an FBI check?

Through the FBI's eDO portal or an FBI-approved channeler. Channelers are usually much faster.

How recent does the report need to be?

Depends on the destination. Portugal and Spain often want within 90 days. Confirm with the recipient.

Do I need fingerprints?

Fingerprint-based reports are more common for immigration purposes. We provide ink fingerprinting on FD-258 cards if you need that step too.

Can you help me order the FBI check?

Yes — we can point you to the fastest approved channeler and help you order correctly.

Is the FBI apostille different from a state apostille?

Yes. Federal records go to the U.S. Department of State, while state records go to their issuing state.

FBI Apostille

FBI Background Check Apostille

FBI Identity History Summary apostille for foreign residency, work permits, adoption, and marriage abroad — handled through the U.S. Department of State.

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Were You Asked for a Pennsylvania Background Check Instead?

If your instructions specifically request a Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history check, PATCH report, Pennsylvania criminal record, or state-level background check, you may need the Pennsylvania pathway rather than an FBI Identity History Summary.

PA Background Check
Pennsylvania Apostille — $235

See Pennsylvania Background Check Process

Overview

An FBI Identity History Summary (often just called an FBI background check) is a federal record. It's apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by your home state. Many foreign residency programs — Portugal D7, Spain non-lucrative, UAE employment, China Z visa, Brazil residency — require a recent apostilled FBI report.

We handle the apostille end of the process: preparing the correct submission, sending it to the Department of State, tracking it, and returning it to you promptly.

Who needs this service

Applicants for Portugal's D7 or Golden Visa residency
Applicants for Spain's non-lucrative visa
Teachers or professionals moving to China or the UAE
Applicants for family reunification visas that require background checks
International adoption applicants

Required documents

The FBI Identity History Summary itself, unopened and unaltered
A cover request with correct fee payment
Return shipping instructions

Step-by-step process

1
Order the FBI check
Order through the FBI's eDO portal or an FBI-approved channeler. Channelers are typically much faster.
2
Send the report to us
Ship or deliver the untampered report as soon as it arrives.
3
Federal apostille
We submit to the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications and track it through.
4
Return delivery
We return the apostilled report by your preferred shipping method.
5
Translate if required
Non-English destinations usually require a certified translation performed after the apostille.

Processing times

FBI report itself
Channelers can deliver in one to three business days. Direct FBI orders take longer.
Federal apostille
Currently four to eight weeks; check with us for the latest estimate.
Combined timeline
Plan for roughly six to ten weeks from ordering to apostilled report in hand.

Common mistakes to avoid

Opening the sealed FBI report before submission
Ordering the report far in advance — many destinations want recency (often within 90 days)
Requesting the wrong report type (name-based vs. fingerprint-based)
Skipping the certified translation for non-English destinations

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For Pennsylvania-notarized documents: is additional verification of the notary's commission required?

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