Begin with an already-issued FBI document
This service concerns administrative apostille coordination for an eligible FBI Identity History Summary that you already obtained. Florida Apostillar does not issue FBI records, perform background checks or act as the FBI. To obtain a new summary or resolve a question about the record itself, use the FBI’s official instructions.
Ask the overseas recipient exactly which background record it requires, whether an apostille is needed and whether the record must have been issued within a particular period. A state or local police record and an FBI record are different documents; they may follow different authentication routes.
Use the federal route
An eligible FBI document follows the U.S. Department of State’s federal apostille process. A Florida apostille is not a substitute for federal authentication of the FBI’s signature or certification. Consult the U.S. Department of State preparation instructions for document eligibility and current submission requirements.
Do not add a notarization to an original federal record in an attempt to change its jurisdiction. Before mailing, verify that the version available to you contains the applicable official certification and is suitable for the federal procedure. A casual scan or altered copy may create additional preparation problems.
What to provide for review
Tell our team that the document is an FBI Identity History Summary, when it was issued, the destination country and your deadline. Explain whether you have the official electronic result, a printed result or another version. We can review the available format and explain the coordination steps before you send documents.
For questions about FBI issuance and certification, consult the FBI Identity History Summary FAQs. Follow the current agency instructions when obtaining or preparing a result; prior or third-party copies should not be assumed eligible without review.
Plan time and delivery separately
Record issuance, private administrative review, federal government processing and transportation are separate stages. Florida Express or Priority handling estimates do not apply automatically to federal documents. Request a case-specific estimate and allow for changes in official processing and return shipping.
See the state and federal authority guide, timing guide and document guide directory.
This is general information. Florida Apostillar is a private document coordination company; the competent authority issues the apostille. Confirm requirements with the receiving institution.