FBI Background Check Apostille — Live Scan Today, Apostille Handled
A federal document — apostilled by the U.S. Department of State
In short: An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document, so it is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State — not Illinois. We capture your fingerprints by Live Scan as an authorized FBI channeling agency (results in about 1–8 hours) and then coordinate the federal apostille so it's accepted abroad. FBI channeling is for U.S. citizens and green-card holders; visa holders request the report directly from the FBI, and we handle that too.
Why this is a federal apostille
Because the FBI report is issued by a federal agency, only the U.S. Department of State can apostille it — the Illinois Secretary of State cannot. Some countries and consulates instead accept a state-level Illinois State Police check, which we can apostille at the Illinois Secretary of State; we'll confirm which your destination wants.
How we get it done fast
- Live Scan fingerprinting. We channel your prints to the FBI and the Identity History Summary is typically returned in about 1–8 hours.
- Federal apostille. We coordinate the U.S. Department of State apostille on the report.
- Return, tracked. Back to you or your recipient, domestic or international.
Who can use channeling: the FBI only allows channeling for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) located in the U.S. Not a citizen or green-card holder? We fingerprint you on an FD-1164 card, send your request directly to the FBI, and can still arrange the apostille — see FBI background check for non-U.S. citizens.
Going to a specific country?
See our apostille background check by country guide for visa-specific requirements. For a non-Hague country such as the UAE or Qatar, the report needs embassy legalization instead — see apostille vs. authentication vs. legalization.
Why Efficient Biometrics
We're a licensed and insured service with a real, staffed office in Naperville (682 Illinois Route 59) — not a P.O. box — a notary on site, document-level tracking so you always know where your originals are, and local proximity to the Chicago Secretary of State counter for genuine expedited service. Call or text 847-436-5222.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Illinois apostille my FBI background check?
No — federal documents are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. We coordinate that for you.
How fast can I get the FBI report itself?
Live Scan channeling typically returns the FBI Identity History Summary in about 1–8 hours.
My country wants a state check instead — can you do that?
Yes; an Illinois State Police check can be apostilled at the Illinois Secretary of State. We'll confirm which your destination accepts.