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