An apostille is an official certification that verifies the authenticity of a document’s signature, seal, and issuing authority, making it legally valid for use in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Convention. It ensures that your documents issued in one country are legally valid and recognized in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Without an apostille, your documents might not be accepted, which could lead to delays and complications in your international dealings.

The type of apostille you need depends on the origin of your document or where it was issued. For example, if your birth certificate is from the State of Oregon, you'll need an apostille from Oregon. Likewise, if you have a personal document notarized by a Washington State notary, you'll need an apostille from Washington.

Federally-issued documents like an FBI background check or Naturalization documents will require a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State.

Furthermore, if your documents are destined for a country not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, they must first be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State before submission to the foreign embassy in the United States of the requesting country, which will perform the final authentication.

Apostille processing times are subject to various factors, such as document type, origin, issuing authority workload, and availability of expedited services. Certain documents may undergo additional verification, potentially prolonging processing times. If urgent, expedited services may be available for faster processing, typically incurring extra fees.

For estimates on turnaround times, feel free to contact us.

1. Request Your FBI Background Check

Start by requesting your background check directly from the FBI or an FBI-approved Channeler. Channelers are private companies authorized by the FBI to process these requests and may offer faster results. You’ll need to provide fingerprints and complete the required forms.

2. Receive the FBI Background Check

Once processed, you’ll receive your background check either digitally or as a hard copy. If you receive it electronically, ensure it is a certified PDF directly from the FBI, as this is required for apostille processing.

3. Order your FBI background check apostille

Once your FBI background check is ready, you can initiate your apostille order with us. Simply upload the PDF file you received from the FBI during checkout or mail us the physical copy, and we'll handle the processing on your behalf.

4. Receive the Apostilled Document

Once completed, you’ll receive your FBI background check with the apostille affixed, ready for submission to the foreign agency.

Special Considerations:

Confirm Apostille Requirements: Verify the receiving country’s requirements to ensure the FBI background check meets their standards. Check if the background check must be issued within a specific time frame (e.g., within 3 or 6 months of submission), as some countries only accept recent documents. Additionally, determine if they require translations or legalization (if the country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention).

Translation (If Required): If the receiving country requires the document in their official language, we can provide a certified translation of the apostilled document. For special translation requirements (e.g., sworn translation from a certified translator), please feel free to reach out and we'd be happy to accommodate your requests.

International Shipping: If you'd like us to send the apostilled document to the foreign agency once it's completed, we offer international shipping for a flat rate of $85.

It’s possible to expedite the apostille process for your FBI background check, potentially completing it in just a few days, but there are a few important considerations. The FBI background check is a federal document, and the apostille is typically issued by the U.S. Department of State, which is the most reliable and accurate method for authenticating federal documents. However, their processing time can be lengthy. To speed things up, we can notarize a copy of your FBI background check and obtain an apostille in just a few days.

That said, not all receiving countries will accept an apostille on a notarized copy of an FBI background check, as it may need to be issued by the U.S. Department of State for full acceptance. It is the customer’s responsibility to verify with the foreign agency or consulate whether they will accept this option before proceeding. Please be aware that if the receiving country rejects the apostille for any reason, we are not responsible for any delays or additional costs incurred.

We highly recommend reaching out to the foreign agency directly to confirm their specific requirements.

In most cases, yes, your document will require notarization before obtaining an apostille. Notarization is often a requirement by the apostille's issuing authority.

Exceptions exist: Certain government-issued documents, such as birth certificates, official court documents, or federally-issued documents like an FBI background check, may not require notarization before obtaining an apostille.

Yes, we can help. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, we can notarize your documents online before obtaining an apostille. While most countries that are part of the Hague Convention accept remote online notarizations, some may not. Please check with the receiving agency beforehand to ensure remote online notarization is accepted in the destination country.

Improper notarization is one of the top reasons why documents get rejected when trying to obtain an apostille. To ensure your document was notarized correctly, check for the following key elements:

Notary’s Seal or Stamp: The document should have the notary's official seal or stamp, which includes the notary's name, state of commission, and commission expiration date.

Notary’s Signature: The notary should have signed the document. The signature should match the one on file with the notary's commissioning authority.

Notarial Certificate: The document should include a notarial certificate that specifies the type of notarization performed (e.g., acknowledgment, jurat, etc.). This certificate should include:

• The date of notarization

• The location (city and state) where the notarization took place

• A statement indicating that the notary verified the identity of the signer and that the signer acknowledged signing the document willingly.

Note: Simply having the notary's signature and stamp without the proper notarial certificate is insufficient and will result in the document being rejected.

If you're unsure or need further verification, simply email a copy to us and we'll review the document to ensure it meets the state requirements.

Yes! If you want us to ship your completed documents internationally, that is one less thing to worry about! We use DHL, FedEx, or UPS so you're always in the know of where your document is. We have discount rates that start at $65.

Please note that while we strive to provide expansive coverage, shipping is not available to some countries due to postal restrictions or regulatory limitations.

Typically, yes, you can obtain an apostille for a non-English document if the notary certificate is in English. While many languages are accepted, it's recommended to verify with the receiving agency or country regarding their specific language preferences for apostilled documents.

Certainly! Here are the key reasons why your document may have been rejected:

1. Incorrect Notarial Wording or Improper Notarization: Notary acknowledgments must adhere to state laws regarding wording and format. Any deviation may lead to rejection. Additionally, incomplete or improperly completed notarial certificates can result in rejection.

2. Unacceptable Document Types: Vital record photocopies, like birth or death certificates, may not qualify for apostille. Typically, only certified copies are eligible.

3. Incorrect Jurisdiction: Documents must be apostilled by the appropriate authority within the correct jurisdiction. Submitting to the wrong state or jurisdiction can lead to rejection.

4. Incomplete Documentation: Missing signatures or seals on submitted documents can lead to rejection.

To prevent apostille rejection, ensure your documents are accurately prepared, properly notarized (if needed), and obtained from authorized sources. Reach out for assistance navigating this process.

No. We provide apostille services for documents intended for use in countries outside of the United States.

Yes! We offer professional document translation services in over 90 languages to ensure your documents meet apostille and legalization requirements. We work with reputable third-party translation agencies to provide accurate, certified translations accepted by government offices, embassies, and other institutions.

There are a few ways to get started:

• Click on here to fill out the intake form to specify your requirements.

• Call us at (253) 308-4366; or

• Send an email at chelsea@homestretchnotary.com