My Georgia Notary and Apostille

FBI Background Check Apostille Services for Use Abroad

If a school, employer, or adoption agency abroad has asked for your FBI background check, the document in your hands is only half the job. An FBI Identity History Summary needs an apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., not from a state office. We are My Georgia Notary and Apostille, a veteran-owned facilitation firm serving all 50 states. Call 770.329.9700 or email support@mygeorgianotary.com for a free consultation before you submit your document.

 What Is an FBI Background Check Apostille? 

• An apostille authenticates a document's origin so it will be recognized abroad. Federal documents, like your FBI check, are apostilled at the federal level:
• The document: The FBI Identity History Summary is issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• The certificate: It confirms the document is genuine, properly signed, and sealed. It does not judge the contents.
• The issuer: For FBI checks, the apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.
• The result: A certificate attached to your FBI check for use abroad.

 The Most Common Mistake: Sending a Federal Document to a State Office 

• PLEASE DO NOT send your FBI background check to a state Secretary of State. It is the most common mistake we see, and it costs people weeks.
• State apostille offices only authenticate state-level documents, like vital records.
• Your FBI check is a federal document, so a state office will reject it.
• The correct authority is the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.
• A rejection means lost time, especially if you mailed your only original.
• Not sure which level applies? Call 770.329.9700 before you submit your document.

Who Needs an FBI Background Check Apostille? 

• Teachers accepting positions at international schools abroad
• Students applying to universities or exchange programs overseas
• Families pursuing international adoption, where a federal check is standard
• Professionals on work placements or transfers abroad
• Applicants for professional licenses requiring federal background verification - Lawyers, engineers, and specialized consultants seeking local professional licensing or long-term residency in countries across Europe, Latin America, and Asia
• Immigration-adjacent cases presenting a federal record check abroad
• Healthcare and Medical Fields - doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and hospital staff moving abroad for clinical practice or licensing
• Finance and Banking professionals - bankers, accountants, financial advisors, and executives working in regulated foreign financial institutions or overseas branches
• Security and Law Enforcement - Private security contractors, guards, risk analysts, and defense-related personnel working internationally
• Childcare and Social Services - Nannies, au pairs, youth counselors, and individuals involved in international adoption processes
• Government and Diplomatic Work - U.S. federal employees, embassy personnel, and contractors deployed overseas

What the FBI Must Issue Before Anything Else 

• Before any apostille, you need the right FBI document. Not every background check qualifies.
• It must be the official FBI-issued Identity History Summary, carrying the FBI watermark, the agency seal, and a division official's signature.
• If you use an FBI-approved channeler, the report it returns is the official FBI document, and it can be apostilled. What cannot be apostilled is a summary or record letter that is not FBI-issued, even if it looks official.
• Check three things on the document in front of you: the FBI watermark, the seal, and a signed name.
• Please don't be alarmed if this sounds confusing. That is exactly what our free consultation is for.
• Timing matters. Many institutions treat background checks as valid only for a limited window, so plan the apostille close to when you need it.

Our Two-Stage Federal Process, Step by Step 

1. Free consultation: We confirm whether you need the official FBI Identity History Summary and quote the service in writing. If you do not yet have it, we coordinate the FBI issuance step.
2. Document audit: We inspect the seal, signature, and legibility before submission.
3. Federal submission: We coordinate delivery of your FBI check to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications through our Washington, D.C. partner.
4. Monitoring and return: Your document is tracked through the federal office and returned with the apostille attached.
5. Optional translation: If required, we facilitate accurate, ATA-certified translation after the apostille is issued.

How Long Does the FBI Apostille Take? 

• We do not promise turnaround dates, and be cautious of anyone who does. Federal processing times change, sometimes with little notice. With an apostille courier the Department of State can process a request quicker. There is an additional fee for in-person delivery.
• Build in buffer time before your deadline.
• Patience is key here, but so is starting early. Reach out as soon as you know a background check will be required by calling or texting us at 770.329.9700.

Why Choose My Georgia Notary and Apostille? 

• Veteran-owned precision: Founded in July 2020 by Kristina Butler, a retired U.S. Army IT Senior Project Manager and commissioned notary public. The firm is a Certified Veteran Owned Business.
• Experience you can measure: Mrs. Butler has handled approximately 6,500 apostilles and notarizations.
• A single point of contact: One accountable team coordinates the FBI, the Department of State, and any translation needs.
• Nationwide reach: We serve clients in all 50 states and five U.S. territories, not just the state of Georgia.
• Meticulous review: Every document is audited before submission, because a missing signature can cost you a month. 

Frequently Asked Questions About FBI Background Check Apostilles 

Can I apostille a photocopy or scan of my FBI background check?

No. The Department of State authenticates the original FBI-issued document with its seal and signature. Photocopies, wrong-format prints, and channeler reports are rejected. Unsure what you are holding? Describe it to us before you pay for anything.

What is a channeler, and why can't I use that report?    

A channeler is a private company approved by the FBI to obtain your record on your behalf. If the report it returns is the official FBI-issued Identity History Summary, carrying the watermark, the seal and the signature, it can be apostilled. A non-FBI-issued summary or record letter cannot. Unsure what you are holding? Describe it to us before you pay for anything.

Do I need an apostille or an authentication?    

It depends on the destination. Hague Convention countries accept a single apostille. Countries outside the convention require a chain of authentications ending with embassy legalization. We handle both routes.

How long is an apostilled FBI background check valid? 

There is no universal expiration. The receiving institution sets its own validity window, and many treat background checks as current for only a limited period. Ask them what window applies, then schedule the apostille to fit it.

Can you also help me get the FBI background check itself?    

Yes. We partner with a number of affordable channelers nationally. We coordinate the full two-stage process: the official FBI Identity History Summary, then the Department of State apostille. 

Do you serve clients outside Georgia?    

Yes. Apostille and authentication cover all 50 states and the U.S. territories. Mobile notary covers Metro Atlanta.

Call/text/WhatsApp 770.329.9700 or email support@mygeorgianotary.com for a free consultation. We will help coordinate the correct route for your FBI document.

Disclaimer: My Georgia Notary and Apostille authenticates U.S. documents for use abroad. We do not advise on which documents a destination country requires, and we make no guarantees regarding visas, residency, admission, or the acceptance of any document by any government. Processing times are subject to change and are confirmed at the time of service.