Federal Document Authentication
FBI Apostille in Miami
Federal Background Check Authentication
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 never have to travel or mail documents to the federal government yourself.
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?
Option A
I already have my FBI results
Upload or send us your background check and we'll handle apostille submission, payment coordination, and shipping.
Click here to submit them →Option B
I haven't been fingerprinted yet
You'll need current fingerprints before the FBI can issue a background check. Come to either Miami location for fingerprinting — walk-ins are welcome, or you can book ahead.
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.
For full details on FBI identity history summary checks, see the FBI Identity History Summary Checks FAQ.
How It Works
The FBI Apostille Process
Obtain Your FBI Background Check
Request a digital or printed copy from the FBI directly or through an approved channeler, after being fingerprinted.
Submit for Apostille Certification
Your 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.
Processing
We process most FBI apostilles in 10 business days or less, subject to U.S. Department of State availability and government processing times. Expedited options may be available — contact us to confirm current timelines.
Delivery
Completed apostilles are shipped to you, domestically or internationally.
Requirements
What You'll Need
- A valid FBI background check — verify the issue-date window required by your destination country before submitting, as requirements vary
- A completed application form, if required by the destination country
- Current fingerprints, if you have not yet requested a background check
- A certified translation, if the destination country does not 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 a specific window before 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. Confirm the required issue-date window with the receiving consulate before you begin.
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.
Coverage
Countries That Commonly Require an FBI Apostille or Authentication
Europe, the Middle East, and virtually all of Latin America require an FBI apostille or authentication for immigration, work visa, residency, and citizenship purposes. Whether apostille or full consular legalization is required depends on whether the destination country is a Hague Apostille Convention member — always confirm with the receiving authority:
- 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 or authentication 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: Bolivia joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 7 May 2018. Cuba and Haiti are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention — an FBI apostille alone will not be accepted there. Documents for Cuba and Haiti 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.
Related Resources
Helpful Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Fingerprinting & Requesting Your Report
Process & Requirements
Apostille vs. Legalization
Other Federal Documents
Get Started
Ready to process your FBI apostille?
For apostille, legalization, translation, or notarization — contact Miami Dade Apostille or start an order online.
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.