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