FBI Background Check Apostille — United States Service

Definition and Purpose

In summary, the FBI Background Check, officially called the FBI Identity History Summary, is the official criminal background report issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States. It contains a history of federal criminal records linked to your fingerprints. It is the document required for visa applications, residency, citizenship, work abroad, and international adoptions.

Pricing by Location and Profile

Generally speaking, the cost depends on your location and the services you need:

• $110 USD — LiveScan fingerprinting + certified processing at our Miami office (U.S. citizens and residents)
• $188 USD — Fingerprinting + FBI-format 10-print card (Bogotá office, no apostille)
• $336 USD — LiveScan fingerprinting + physical FBI Background Check for non-citizens and non-residents from LATAM (apostille not included)

U.S. Department of State Apostille — additional service:
$631 USD — Express (10–12 business days)
$586 USD — Regular (4–5 weeks)

Estimated Processing Times

In general, processing times vary depending on your profile and the service you need:

• U.S. citizens and residents — 1 business day
• Non-citizens / non-residents (LATAM) — 12–15 business days
• Express Apostille (additional) — +10–12 business days
• Regular Apostille (additional) — +4–5 weeks

Example: If you are a non-citizen/non-resident and need an Express Apostille, the estimated total time is 22–27 business days (15 days FBI + 12 days apostille, +$631 USD).

International Validity of the Document

Yes. Moreover, if you will use the document outside the United States. The apostille is a certification issued by the U.S. Department of State that validates the document’s authenticity for international use, in accordance with the Hague Convention of 1961. If the document will be used within the U.S. (for example, for an American employer), you do not need an apostille.

Requirements to Start the Process

To start the process, you need:

1. Valid government-issued ID — passport, ID card, or national identity document
2. Proof of address (in some cases)
3. Your fingerprints — taken at our office with FBI-certified LiveScan equipment

You do not need to be in the U.S. to request the service from LATAM. Schedule your appointment and we will guide you through the entire process.

International Coverage Hague Convention

First and foremost, the FBI apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State is recognized in all countries that signed the Hague Convention of 1961, which includes more than 120 nations. Among them: Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, and most countries in Europe and Latin America. If your destination country is not a signatory to the Convention, the process requires consular legalization — contact us for guidance.

In-Person and Remote Service from LATAM

Yes. Compliance Officers LLC operates from Miami (USA) and Bogotá (Colombia), serving clients both in-person and remotely. If you are in Colombia or another LATAM country, you can visit our Bogotá office for LiveScan fingerprinting, or coordinate the process remotely if your situation allows. Contact us via WhatsApp and an advisor will recommend the best option for your country and type of process.

Eligible Applicant Profiles

For example, the following can apply for an FBI Background Check:

• U.S. citizens residing inside or outside the United States
• Permanent legal residents (Green Card holders)
• Foreign nationals who have lived, studied, or worked in the U.S. and have records in the FBI federal system

If you have never lived in the U.S. and have no records in the federal system, the FBI will issue a document indicating no records found (“No Record”). This document can also be apostilled and used for international applications.