Americans in France
FBI Background Check & Apostille in Paris
How Americans living in Paris get an FBI background check fingerprinted locally, issued by the FBI, and apostilled for use in France — all by mail.
Quick answer
Get fingerprinted in Paris 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 Paris. France accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 24 January 1965.
- France route
- Apostille
- Translation
- Certified French translation typically required.
- Price
- $399 + $99 worldwide return
- Turnaround
- 12–14 business days once we receive your prints
Why Americans in Paris need it
Some French long-stay visas, professional registrations and adoption files require a criminal record 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 Paris
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 Paris. 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 Paris generally doesn’t take fingerprints for FBI checks — confirm before relying on it.
Step by step from Paris
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 Paris
Returned by tracked international courier, with a certified translation if you ordered one.
What France requires
France accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 24 January 1965. Certified French translation typically 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 France: FBI background check for France · all documents for France.
FBI check from Paris — FAQ
Can I get fingerprinted at the U.S. Embassy in Paris?
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 Paris.
How long does an apostilled FBI check take from Paris?
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 France?
Certified French translation typically required. We can arrange certified translation with your order.
Is the FBI check the same as a France criminal record certificate?
No. The FBI check covers your U.S. record. If you've lived in France for a while, authorities may also ask for a local certificate from France'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.