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