Boston, MA
FBI Background Check Apostille in Boston, MA
How Boston 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 Boston. 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
- Suffolk County
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- State apostille office
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (headquarters)
FBI check vs. a Massachusetts background check
A background check from the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services is a state document. It can only be apostilled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston — 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 Massachusetts check as well, that one follows the state route. We can advise on both.
Boston: the local details
Boston is in Suffolk County, within the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Massachusetts state documents are apostilled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston.
Fingerprinting is the one step that happens locally — through Boston-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 Boston
We don’t have an office in Boston — and you don’t need one. Boston 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 Boston — FAQ
Is there an apostille office in Boston 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 Boston clients by mail.
Do I need to visit an office in Boston?
No. Boston clients send documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Boston?
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 Boston?
Boston is in Suffolk County, within the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Related: All documents in Boston · FBI Background Check in Massachusetts · FBI Background Check — full guide
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