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