The most time-sensitive document in your visa application — apostilled fast, done right. FBI, state, and international clearances.
Step 1 of 4
Which country issued your background check?
Background checks have the strictest expiration rules of any document in an immigration application. In Spain, Portugal, and most EU countries, your police clearance must have been issued within 90 days of your visa submission. In the UK, 3 months. Start the apostille process the moment you receive your check — do not wait.
Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Italy all require an apostilled background check for long-stay visas: Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad, Golden Visa, and family reunification.
Citizenship recovery and naturalization processes require apostilled background checks from your country of origin and every country where you have resided for 2+ years.
Foreign employers, professional licensing bodies, and remote-first companies increasingly require an apostilled police clearance before finalizing employment contracts.
Whether you are applying for a Digital Nomad Visa, Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa, Portugal's Golden Visa, or dual citizenship, a criminal background check is mandatory. Without a Hague Apostille, the document has no legal standing abroad and will be automatically rejected at the consulate or immigration office.
Background checks must be apostilled in the country that issued them. An FBI check requires an apostille from the US Department of State. A UK DBS check requires apostille from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. We handle both — and everything in between.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original background check certificate | FBI, DHS, Secretary of State, RCMP, national police authority | Variable — see notes | Must be the original or a digital version with valid electronic signature / QR code. Photocopies are not accepted. |
| Government-issued photo ID | Applicant | Valid / not expired | Passport preferred. State ID or national ID card also accepted in most cases. |
| Authorization / power of attorney (if third-party processing) | Notary | At time of submission | Required when a representative submits on your behalf. |
| Government fee payment | Apostilling authority | At submission | Varies by state and country. We confirm the exact amount during your free review. |
Most apostille rejections are entirely preventable. Our pre-submission review catches these issues before we file:
Send us a scan of your background check. We confirm eligibility, check for expiration risk, identify the correct apostilling authority (FBI → US Dept. of State; state checks → Secretary of State), and quote a firm timeline.
Mail your original document to us by tracked, insured courier. For digital checks with QR codes or electronic signatures, we handle e-Apostille without any physical mailing.
We submit to the correct authority on your behalf — US Department of State for FBI documents, the relevant Secretary of State for state-issued checks, or the equivalent foreign ministry for international clearances.
Your apostilled background check is returned by express international courier or via secure digital download, with a verifiable apostille number for the receiving authority to confirm online.
Many Golden Visa and long-stay applications require background checks from every country you have lived in for 2+ years. We manage simultaneous apostille requests across multiple origin countries, consolidating delivery into one package.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
The apostille stamp itself does not expire. However, the underlying background check expires: most European immigration authorities require it to be no more than 3–6 months old at the time of your visa or residency application. Always check the specific country's rules before starting your application.
Yes. The FBI now issues Identity History Summary Checks in digital format with a QR code. Many states offer e-Apostille processing for these, cutting weeks off the timeline. We assess whether your document qualifies for the faster digital route.
No. You can request your FBI background check by mail or online (via an FBI-approved channeler). We partner with channelers who can expedite the request, then we apostille the result — the entire process is remote.
Yes. We strongly recommend starting as soon as you receive your document. Standard apostille takes 5–10 business days. If your check was just issued, you have a safe window. If it's already 2+ months old, we recommend our 48-hour rush service.
Yes. Many visa applications (especially for Golden Visa or long-term residency) require background checks from every country you have lived in for 2+ years. We coordinate apostilles from multiple origin countries in parallel.
No. An FBI Identity History Summary Check (federal document) must be apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington D.C. State-level police clearances are apostilled by that state's Secretary of State. We handle both.
Message us today for a free document review and guidance.