FBI Background Check Apostille for the Netherlands
For the DAFT & highly-skilled migrant routes — Live Scan today, apostille handled
In short: The Netherlands is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so a U.S. criminal background check used for the Netherlands' DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) and highly-skilled migrant routes must be authenticated with an apostille — not embassy legalization. For a visa this is normally the FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. Efficient Biometrics captures your fingerprints by Live Scan as an authorized FBI channeling agency (results in about 1–8 hours) and then coordinates the apostille so it's accepted in the Netherlands.
When you need an apostilled background check for the Netherlands
Dutch immigration routes such as the DAFT entrepreneur visa can require a criminal-record certificate. For U.S. applicants that means an apostilled FBI background check.
The document these applications call for is almost always the FBI Identity History Summary — a nationwide criminal-history check — authenticated with a U.S. federal apostille for use in the Netherlands.
Dutch sworn translations are made by translators on the Dutch register of sworn translators (Rbtv). A translation made in the U.S. usually won't qualify, so check with the receiving office before ordering one; we handle the apostille so your translator there can work from the apostilled original.
How we get it done — fast
- Live Scan fingerprinting on site. As an authorized FBI channeling agency in Naperville, we capture your fingerprints electronically and submit them straight to the FBI — no ink cards, no mailing. Walk in or call/text 847-436-5222.
- FBI results in about 1–8 hours. You receive your FBI Identity History Summary the same day in most cases, instead of the 3–14 weeks a direct mail submission takes.
- We coordinate the apostille. Because the FBI report is a federal document, its apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State — we prepare the report correctly and guide you through (or handle) that step so it's accepted abroad.
- Delivered and tracked. Back to you or straight to your destination, domestic or international, with status you can follow the whole way.
Why Efficient Biometrics
We're a licensed and insured service with a real, staffed office in Naperville (682 Illinois Route 59) and an authorized FBI channeling agency — Live Scan fingerprints, same-day FBI results, and apostille coordination under one roof. Same-day and walk-in fingerprinting is often available. Call or text 847-436-5222.
Passport & visa photos for the Netherlands
A visa for the Netherlands normally requires a photo to that country's own specification — 35 × 45 mm — which differs from the standard U.S. 2×2-inch passport photo. Efficient Biometrics takes compliant passport and visa photos to the correct size in the same visit as your Live Scan and apostille, so you don't have to make a second trip. Exact requirements vary by visa type and consulate, so we shoot to the precise spec your application needs. Book passport & visa photos or call 847-436-5222.
Two paths worth knowing: a nationwide FBI background check is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, while some countries and consulates accept a state-level criminal-history check — an Illinois State Police report, which we can apostille directly at the Illinois Secretary of State. Tell us your destination country and visa and we'll confirm exactly which one your consulate requires.
Related guides: how to get an FBI background check in Naperville, apostille vs. authentication vs. legalization, and our apostille background check by country overview.
Who can use FBI channeling
The FBI only allows channeling (the fast Live Scan route) for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) located in the U.S. If you are in the U.S. on a visa or are not a citizen or green-card holder, your FBI report must be requested directly from the FBI. We fingerprint you on an FD-1164 card, send the request to the FBI, and can still arrange the apostille — see FBI background check for non-U.S. citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an apostille used for the Netherlands?
Yes -- the Netherlands is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so an apostille is used rather than legalization.
How current does the check need to be?
Dutch authorities generally want a recent certificate; same-day Live Scan makes a fresh one easy.
Do I need an apostille or embassy legalization for the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is in the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille is what you need -- not embassy legalization.
What size passport or visa photo does the Netherlands require?
The Netherlands's visa photo requirement is 35 × 45 mm, which differs from the U.S. 2×2-inch size. We take compliant passport and visa photos to the exact spec in the same visit — book them at efficientbiometrics.com/book. Requirements can vary by visa type and consulate.
How fast can I get the FBI background check itself?
Through our authorized FBI channeling (Live Scan fingerprinting), results are typically ready in about 1-8 hours -- versus 3-14 weeks for a direct mail submission.
Who issues the apostille on an FBI background check?
The U.S. Department of State, because the FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document. Illinois cannot apostille a federal report. We prepare the report and guide you through (or handle) the Department of State step.