1. Introduction
Heading overseas for work, residency, education, or family reasons? You’ll likely need to provide legally recognized U.S. documents—especially your FBI background check. But to be accepted abroad, these federal records often require an apostille.
In this guide, we’ll clarify exactly which documents require an FBI apostille, why it’s essential, and how PacSigning.com simplifies and expedites the process.
2. What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certification from the U.S. Department of State that authenticates a U.S. document for use in countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. It ensures your document is recognized legally and accepted abroad without the need for embassy legalization.
3. Why FBI Documents Need Apostille
The FBI background check is a federal document, issued by the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) branch of the FBI. That means an apostille must be obtained via the U.S. Department of State, not a state-level authority.
This step ensures foreign governments recognize it as an official U.S. criminal record, which is critical for employment, immigration, teaching, and more.
4. Documents That Require an FBI Apostille
The most common federal documents needing an FBI apostille are:
FBI Criminal History Report
Required for international employment, adoption, residency, marriage, study, and citizenship.
Certified Federal Records (as applicable)
Naturalization/citizenship certificates
FBI-signed court documents or federal affidavits
IRS or SSA certification letters (for foreign tax or social services)
Federal court orders and other signed U.S. government documents
Important: State-issued documents (like state background checks, birth or marriage certificates) must be apostilled through that state’s Secretary of State, not federally.
5. Common Use Cases for These Documents
Here are frequent scenarios where an FBI apostille is essential:
- 📌 Immigration or visa processing (e.g., Canada, Australia, EU countries)
- 📌 Working abroad: teaching, corporate positions, government contracts
- 📌 Foreign marriage or adoption
- 📌 University admission or professional licensing overseas
- 📌 Dual citizenship applications (e.g., Italy, Mexico)
- 📌 Remote work multinational compliance
Without an apostilled FBI document, most international authorities will reject or delay your application.
6. Apostille vs. Authentication
If your destination is not a Hague member, you’ll need authentication (a multi-step process):
| Process | Purpose | Includes |
| Apostille | For Hague Convention countries | Issued solely by State Dept |
| Authentication | For non-Hague countries | Dept of State + Embassy legalization |
PacSigning helps you determine and follow the correct path for your destination.
7. Country-Specific Requirements
Here’s a quick guide by destination:
- Spain/Italy/Germany → require FBI apostille
- South Korea, Japan → FBI apostille + certified translation
- Brazil → apostille + additional notarized stamps
- China/UAE → require full authentication (no apostille allowed)
Need clarity for a specific country? Just ask—PacSigning handles global requirements regularly.
8. How PacSigning Simplifies the Process
Doing this yourself can involve a maze of forms, submissions, and shipment logistics. PacSigning streamlines it:
✅ Live Scan fingerprinting and FBI report request
✅ Apostille submission to U.S. Department of State
✅ Form DS-4194 and document preparation
✅ Expedited processing and tracked shipping
✅ Authentication/emphasis for non-Hague countries
You get your apostilled or authenticated document fast—without headaches or errors.
9. FAQs
Q: Can I apostille both FBI and state documents at once?
A: Yes, but they must go through separate channels: federal through the Department of State, and state through the Secretary of State.
Q: Do I need translated apostilles?
A: Some countries require translated apostilles or accompanying certified translations—PacSigning can coordinate these services.
Q: How long does the FBI apostille process take?
A: Standard 8–12 business days; expedited 3–6 days via PacSigning.
Q: Is an apostille permanent?
A: The apostille doesn’t expire, but most authorities require the underlying FBI report itself to be recent (under 90 days old).
Q: Does PacSigning serve outside Oregon?
A: Absolutely—we handle documents and ship nationwide and internationally.
10. Final Thoughts
If you’re stepping into a major life milestone abroad—whether it’s a job, family, or education—you don’t want paperwork errors derailing your plans. Understanding which documents require an FBI apostille is critical.
At PacSigning.com, we make sure you submit the correct documents, in the correct form, and within the right timeframe—so your application sails through acceptance.
Ready to start? Contact us today and secure your FBI apostille quickly and correctly.