Baltimore, MD
FBI Background Check Apostille in Baltimore, MD
How Baltimore residents get their FBI Background Check authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, the local details, timing and price.
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille office in Baltimore. Federal documents like your FBI Background Check are authenticated only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. We handle that submission; you send the document by mail.
- County
- The independent City of Baltimore
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- State apostille office
- Maryland Secretary of State, Annapolis
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (headquarters)
FBI check vs. a Maryland background check
A background check from Maryland’s state criminal-records agency is a state document. It can only be apostilled by the Maryland Secretary of State in Annapolis — and foreign authorities asking for a nationwide or FBI record will reject it. The FBI Identity History Summary is the federal record they want, and it’s authenticated only in Washington, D.C.
If a foreign authority specifically asks for a Maryland check as well, that one follows the state route. We can advise on both.
Baltimore: the local details
Baltimore is in the independent City of Baltimore, within the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Maryland state documents are apostilled by the Maryland Secretary of State in Annapolis.
Fingerprinting is the one step that happens locally — through Baltimore-area law-enforcement agencies or licensed providers, or electronically through an FBI-approved channeler. Everything after that we handle by mail.
About the FBI Background Check
How to apostille an FBI background check for use abroad.
Getting it done from Baltimore
We don’t have an office in Baltimore — and you don’t need one. Baltimore clients send documents by mail, and our nearest office is Washington, D.C. (headquarters).
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
FBI Background Check in Baltimore — FAQ
Is there an apostille office in Baltimore for a FBI Background Check?
No. The only office that can authenticate this document is the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. We handle that submission for Baltimore clients by mail.
Do I need to visit an office in Baltimore?
No. Baltimore clients send documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Baltimore?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$399 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Which federal court covers Baltimore?
Baltimore is in the independent City of Baltimore, within the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Related: All documents in Baltimore · FBI Background Check in Maryland · FBI Background Check — full guide
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