If you are traveling, original federal document apostille or adopting in a country that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, you may need to have your FBI criminal background check apostilled. This process can seem complicated, but it is actually quite simple.

In this article, we will explain exactly what an apostille is, as well as break down the specific steps required for getting your apostilled background check. We will also discuss the different reasons why it is important to have your apostilled background check.

What is an Apostille For Criminal Records?

An apostille (ah-po-steel) is an internationally recognized form of authentication. It is designed to simplify the process of legalizing documents for use in a foreign country by certifying the signature and seal of the state official who signed the document. The apostille is not a notary certificate, but rather an official government document that authenticates the signature of the notary or County Clerk who signed the document.

The NDNY will authenticate documents for use in countries that are signatories of the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing The Requirement Of Legalization For Foreign Public Documents. This includes foreign passports, birth, death and marriage certificates signed by a County Clerk or NYS Department of Health official, as well as federal documents like FBI criminal background checks that are signed by an FBI agent. Other documents that may need to be apostilled include court files, corporate records and college transcripts.