Americans in Spain
FBI Background Check & Apostille in Madrid
How Americans living in Madrid get an FBI background check fingerprinted locally, issued by the FBI, and apostilled for use in Spain — all by mail.
Quick answer
Get fingerprinted in Madrid on FBI FD-258 cards at a local police station or fingerprinting service, then mail the cards to us. We obtain your FBI Identity History Summary, apostille it in Washington, D.C., and ship it back to Madrid. Spain accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 25 September 1978.
- Spain route
- Apostille
- Translation
- Sworn translation by a traductor jurado usually required.
- Price
- $399 + $99 worldwide return
- Turnaround
- 12–14 business days once we receive your prints
Why Americans in Madrid need it
Spanish residence visas — including the non-lucrative and digital nomad visas — commonly require a criminal record certificate, which for Americans means an FBI check. Because only the FBI holds your nationwide U.S. record, it can’t be replaced by anything you get locally — and because it’s a federal document, only the U.S. Department of State can authenticate it.
Fingerprinting: the only step that happens in Madrid
Everything after your fingerprints is paperwork between Washington offices, handled by mail. The prints themselves have to be taken where you are:
- Where: a local police station or a private fingerprinting service in Madrid. Call ahead — not every station offers it, and some want an appointment.
- What to bring: blank FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards and your passport. Ask for rolled prints in black ink.
- Take two sets. If the FBI rejects one card for quality, the spare saves you another appointment and weeks of delay.
- The U.S. Embassy in Madrid generally doesn’t take fingerprints for FBI checks — confirm before relying on it.
Step by step from Madrid
Get fingerprinted
Two full sets on FD-258 cards, with your identifying details filled in exactly as on your passport.
Order online and mail the cards
Send them to our processing office by tracked international courier. Don’t fold or bend them.
We obtain your FBI report
We submit your prints through an FBI-approved channel — typically 1–2 business days after we receive them.
Apostille in Washington, D.C.
We hand-deliver the report to the U.S. Department of State for the apostille.
Shipped to Madrid
Returned by tracked international courier, with a certified translation if you ordered one.
What Spain requires
Spain accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 25 September 1978. Sworn translation by a traductor jurado usually required. Receiving offices often want the report issued within the last three to six months, so time your fingerprinting close to your filing date.
More detail on the route for Spain: FBI background check for Spain · all documents for Spain.
FBI check from Madrid — FAQ
Can I get fingerprinted at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid?
U.S. embassies and consulates generally don't take fingerprints for FBI background checks. Confirm with the embassy, but plan on a local police station or fingerprinting service in Madrid.
How long does an apostilled FBI check take from Madrid?
Allow several days for your prints to reach us by courier, then about 12–14 business days once we receive your prints, plus international return shipping.
How much does it cost?
FBI check + apostille bundle, plus $99 worldwide return shipping. Government fees are included.
Do I need a translation in Spain?
Sworn translation by a traductor jurado usually required. We can arrange certified translation with your order.
Is the FBI check the same as a Spain criminal record certificate?
No. The FBI check covers your U.S. record. If you've lived in Spain for a while, authorities may also ask for a local certificate from Spain's own authorities.
What if my fingerprints are rejected?
The FBI rejects prints it can't classify. Taking two full sets at the same appointment saves weeks if one is rejected.
Related: How to get an FBI background check · FD-258 fingerprint cards · FBI background check apostille
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.