Americans in Mexico
FBI Background Check & Apostille in Playa del Carmen
How Americans living in Playa del Carmen get an FBI background check fingerprinted locally, issued by the FBI, and apostilled for use in Mexico — all by mail.
Quick answer
Get fingerprinted in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen. Mexico accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 14 August 1995.
- Mexico route
- Apostille
- Translation
- Certified Spanish translation usually required by the receiving authority.
- Price
- $399 + $99 worldwide return
- Turnaround
- 12–14 business days once we receive your prints
Why Americans in Playa del Carmen need it
Mexican work permits, teaching roles and some residency processes can require 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 Playa del Carmen
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 Playa del Carmen. 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 Mexico City generally doesn’t take fingerprints for FBI checks — confirm before relying on it.
Step by step from Playa del Carmen
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 Playa del Carmen
Returned by tracked international courier, with a certified translation if you ordered one.
What Mexico requires
Mexico accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 14 August 1995. Certified Spanish translation usually required by the receiving authority. 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 Mexico: FBI background check for Mexico · all documents for Mexico.
FBI check from Playa del Carmen — FAQ
Can I get fingerprinted at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City?
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 Playa del Carmen.
How long does an apostilled FBI check take from Playa del Carmen?
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 Mexico?
Certified Spanish translation usually required by the receiving authority. We can arrange certified translation with your order.
Is the FBI check the same as a Mexico criminal record certificate?
No. The FBI check covers your U.S. record. If you've lived in Mexico for a while, authorities may also ask for a local certificate from Mexico'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.