Washington, DC
FBI Background Check Apostille in Washington, DC
How Washington 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 Washington. 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
- District of Columbia
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- State apostille office
- Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Washington
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (headquarters)
FBI check vs. a Washington, D.C. background check
A background check from Washington, D.C.’s state criminal-records agency is a state document. It can only be apostilled by the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia in Washington — 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, D.C. check as well, that one follows the state route. We can advise on both.
Washington: the local details
Washington is in District of Columbia, within the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Washington, D.C. state documents are apostilled by the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia in Washington.
Fingerprinting is the one step that happens locally — through Washington-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 Washington
Our Washington, D.C. (headquarters) office serves Washington directly, and most clients still send documents by mail.
| 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 Washington — FAQ
Is there an apostille office in Washington 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 Washington clients by mail.
Do I need to visit an office in Washington?
No. Washington clients send documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Washington?
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 Washington?
Washington is in District of Columbia, within the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Related: All documents in Washington · FBI Background Check in Washington, D.C. · FBI Background Check — full guide
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