Obtaining citizenship in a foreign country often involves assembling multiple documents that need to be authenticated. Completing a Criminal Background Check is likely to be one of those documents. Some countries are stricter than others when it comes to the authentication process but most have similar procedures and requirements.

A U.S. Citizen attempting to obtain a foreign citizenship will have to apply for a background check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This background check will be on a national scale and can take some time to obtain. However, there are methods that can speed up the application process. One way consists of using the services of an official FBI channeler.

The applicant will also need to obtain individual background checks from each state that he or she resided in. For example, if a person lived in Georgia, California, and Mississippi, they will need to get a background check from each of these states. These documents must be properly signed and issued before an apostille can be applied to them. 

What companies can assist with the FBI Background Check process?

There are multiple options for receiving assistance with getting a background check from the FBI. Friend and family can assist with the process it they have proper permission from the applicant. Third party services also can assist with obtaining a background check, and FBI channelers who are very familiar with the process can expedite retrieval of the background check for a fee. The FBI’s website provided a list of channelers that are approved for this process. Before the process can be completed by any method, the applicant must submit his or her fingerprints.

Does the FBI grant Apostilles for Background Checks?

The FBI does not issue Apostilles. This is done by the United States Department of State for all documents submitted by Federal entities. A background check submitted by the FBI must have all the required official signatures on each document before the U.S. Department of State will issue an Apostille. An Apostille will not be issued if all required certifications are not present on each document. Therefore, when requesting a background check at each level, be sure to indicate that it will be submitted for an Apostille to ensure that it is processed and certified correctly by the issuing party.