You just got offered your dream job — in Singapore. Your new employer says they need two things: an FBI background check, and an apostille on that background check.
If you're asking, "Wait, what's an apostille? And how does fingerprinting fit in?" — you're not alone. Thousands of Oregonians go through this process every year when pursuing jobs, visas, or professional opportunities abroad.
The good news: it's simpler than you think. The better news: Oregon Fingerprinting can handle the entire fingerprinting and apostille process for you, in one place.
In this guide you'll learn exactly how FBI background checks work, why they need apostilles, how fingerprinting fits in, and how long the whole thing takes — so you'll know exactly what to do next.
FBI background checks: why employers around the world require them
An FBI background check — officially an Identity History Summary — is an official record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation showing your criminal history (or lack of one). It includes federal criminal records, FBI fingerprint records, and any federal arrests or convictions.
International employers and governments require it for:
- Visa requirements — many countries require an FBI check for teaching visas, skilled-worker visas, and residency.
- Employment verification — international companies want proof you're not a criminal risk.
- Professional licensing — teaching, healthcare, and finance abroad often require FBI clearance.
- Immigration — Australia, Canada, the UK, and others mandate FBI checks for work permits.
If you're moving to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or the UK — or teaching abroad — an FBI background check is standard.
The fingerprinting process: the first step
An FBI background check starts with fingerprinting. There are two ways to capture prints:
Option A: Digital (electronic) fingerprinting — recommended
- Your fingers are scanned electronically — no ink, no mess.
- Takes 10–15 minutes.
- More accurate, and it enables the fastest FBI processing.
Option B: Traditional ink cards
- A technician rolls each finger in ink onto an FD-258 card.
- Takes 10–15 minutes.
- Mailed cards take significantly longer to process.
Oregon tip: Oregon Fingerprinting submits electronically through an approved FBI channeler, so results come back in about 30 minutes instead of the weeks a mailed card can take. Same-day appointments and walk-ins are welcome across Portland Metro and Clark County, WA.
Why does your FBI background check need an apostille?
Here's the key question: "My employer wants my FBI background check. Why do they also want an apostille?" The answer: because it's a U.S. federal document being used internationally.
An apostille is an official certification that proves a government document is authentic. When you take an FBI background check to another country, that country needs proof that the FBI really issued it and that it hasn't been forged or altered. An apostille from the U.S. Department of State essentially certifies: "The FBI really did issue this background check, and we certify it's authentic."
So most international employers and visa applications require both: the FBI background check itself, and an apostille on it.
From fingerprinting to apostille: the complete timeline
| Step | Timeline | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Get fingerprinted | 15 minutes | We capture your prints electronically (or on an ink card). |
| 2. FBI processes your check | about 30 minutes | We submit electronically through an approved FBI channeler; your report comes back by email. |
| 3. Federal apostille | 7–10 business days | We authenticate your FBI report through the U.S. Department of State. |
| 4. Returned to you | 2-day shipping included | Your apostille-certified document is shipped back. |
| Total | ~2 weeks | From fingerprinting to an apostille-certified FBI background check. |
That federal apostille turnaround — 7–10 business days — is the fastest in the nation. The standard mail-in process through the Department of State takes 5–8 weeks or longer.
How to get an FBI background check apostille in Oregon
Step 1: Get fingerprinted
Book an appointment with Oregon Fingerprinting — same-day appointments, professional digital or ink fingerprinting, evenings and weekends by arrangement, serving Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Tigard, and Clark County, WA.
Step 2: The FBI processes your check (about 30 minutes)
Your prints are submitted electronically through an approved channeler. Your Identity History Summary comes back to you by email — no waiting weeks for the mail.
Step 3: We apostille it (7–10 business days)
This is where people get stuck if they go it alone. You could mail your original FBI report to the U.S. Department of State's Authentication Service in Washington, D.C. and wait 5–8 weeks — or hand it to us and we handle all the paperwork, coordination, and tracking, and return it fast.
Step 4: You're done
Your FBI background check now carries an official apostille, ready for your international employer, visa application, or immigration authority.
Real-world examples
Teaching job in Australia
Maria was hired to teach in Sydney, which requires an apostilled FBI check. Day 1: she gets fingerprinted (same-day). Day 3: her FBI report arrives by email. Day 4: we submit for the federal apostille. ~Day 12: the apostille is complete and shipped back. She sends it to her Australian employer well ahead of her start date.
Work visa for Canada
James needs an apostilled FBI check for a Canadian work permit. Fingerprinted on Monday, FBI report back within 72 hours, apostille complete and returned inside two weeks — comfortably ahead of his application deadline.
Professional credential verification (UK)
Sarah's UK registration board requires an apostilled FBI check. Same path: quick fingerprinting, fast electronic FBI results, and a 7–10 business-day federal apostille returned with 2-day shipping.
Fingerprinting for FBI checks: what actually matters
Not all fingerprinting is equal. For an FBI background check you need professional capture (not self-fingerprinting), the correct forms, and quality prints so the FBI can match them. Rejected prints mean re-doing the whole thing and losing weeks.
We specialize in exactly this. We're an approved FBI channeler and take real care to get clean prints the first time — no rejections, no delays. If prints are ever rejected for a quality issue on our end, we re-print you at no additional cost.
Common questions
How much does it cost?
An FBI background check is $125 (results in about 30 minutes). A federal apostille is $350 for the first document and $200 for each additional, with 2-day return shipping included. See our full pricing.
How long is an FBI background check valid internationally?
Generally 6–12 months, depending on the country. Check with your employer or visa authority for their specific requirement.
Can I get an FBI background check without fingerprinting?
No. Fingerprints are the foundation of an FBI background check — there's no way around it.
Can I speed up the FBI check?
Not through the FBI directly — but submitting electronically through a channeler (what we do) is what gets your results in about 30 minutes instead of weeks.
What if my check comes back with an error or my prints are rejected?
If prints are rejected for quality, we re-print you at no additional cost. For questions about the contents of your FBI report, you'd contact the FBI directly.
Your international opportunity is waiting
Whether it's a teaching position in Australia, a work visa in Canada, or professional licensing in the UK, we make fingerprinting and apostille simple — from clean prints to an apostille-certified document, handled in one place.