New York City, NY
FD-258 Fingerprint Card Apostille for New York City, NY Residents
How New York City residents get their FD-258 Fingerprint Card authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, the local details, timing and price.
Quick answer
The FD-258 card itself is never apostilled. The one local step in New York City is getting fingerprinted; the FBI report your prints produce is then authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.
Key takeaways
- Issued by a federal agency; apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Through us: $299 all-in for Hague countries (10–12 business days) or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries (15–17 business days).
- Do it yourself: Form DS-4194 and a $20 fee per document — processed within 5 weeks by mail, or 7 business days if you drop it off in Washington, D.C.
- County
- The five boroughs
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- State apostille office
- New York Department of State, Albany
- Our nearest office
- New York
Getting fingerprinted in New York
Fingerprinting is the one step that has to happen locally. The FD-258 card itself is never apostilled — it produces the FBI report, and the report is what gets authenticated.
In New York, prints can be taken by local law-enforcement agencies and licensed fingerprinting providers in cities such as New York City, Buffalo, Rochester. Electronic (live scan) capture through an FBI-approved channeler is usually fastest.
Once the report is issued, we authenticate it in Washington, D.C. and ship it anywhere. See FBI background check apostille.
New York City: the local details
New York City is in the five boroughs, within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York — Manhattan and the Bronx fall under the Southern District; Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island under the Eastern District. New York state documents are apostilled by the New York Department of State in Albany.
Fingerprinting is the one step that happens locally — through New York City-area law-enforcement agencies or licensed providers, or electronically through an FBI-approved channeler. Once the FBI issues your report, mail it to us and we handle the apostille.
About the FD-258 Fingerprint Card
How the FD-258 fingerprint card fits into obtaining and apostilling an FBI background check.
Getting it done from New York City
Our New York office handles New York City orders by phone and online. It’s a processing office and isn’t open to the public, so documents come to us by mail.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Official sources: FBI — Identity History Summary Checks · FBI — Approved Channelers · New York Department of State — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · U.S. Courts — Federal Court Websites.
New York state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) are apostilled by the New York Department of State, Apostille and Authentication Unit · 1 Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave, 6th Floor, Albany, NY 12231 · (518) 474-4429 · state fee $10. We don’t provide state-level apostilles. Official page (checked October 2026).
How long does the FD-258 Fingerprint Card apostille take from New York City?
The U.S. Department of State is the only office that issues a federal apostille. Mailed in yourself, it is processed within 5 weeks of receipt; dropped off in person in Washington, D.C., within 7 business days. Through us it takes 10–12 business days, or 15–17 business days for a non-Hague country that also needs embassy legalization.
| Route | How | Processing time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail it yourself | Form DS-4194 + check to the Office of Authentications, Sterling, VA | Within 5 weeks of receipt | $20 per document + shipping |
| Drop it off yourself | 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. — Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, no appointment | Within 7 business days | $20 per document + travel |
| Emergency appointment | Only for a life-or-death family emergency with travel within 2 weeks | Same day | $20 per document |
| Through Federal Apostille USA | We review it, drop it off in D.C. and return it to you with tracking | 10–12 business days total | $299 all-in ($399 non-Hague) |
What does it cost in New York City?
The government fee is $20 per document, paid with Form DS-4194. Our all-in price is $299 per document, covering the government fee, review, D.C. drop-off and U.S. return shipping; non-Hague destinations are $399 with embassy legalization.
Government figures: U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services (checked October 2026).
FD-258 Fingerprint Card in New York City — FAQ
Is there an apostille office in New York City for a FD-258 Fingerprint Card?
No. The only office that can authenticate this document is the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. We handle that submission for New York City clients by mail.
Do I need to visit an office in New York City?
No. Our New York City office isn’t open to the public — New York City clients order online or by phone, send documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from New York City?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Which federal court covers New York City?
New York City is in the five boroughs, within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Related: All documents in New York City · FD-258 Fingerprint Card in New York · FD-258 Fingerprint Card — full guide
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.