Americans in Costa Rica
FBI Background Check Apostille in San José
How Americans living in San José get fingerprinted locally, request their FBI report, and have it apostilled for use in Costa Rica — all by mail.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
Get fingerprinted in San José on FBI FD-258 cards at a local police station or fingerprinting service, then submit them to the FBI or an FBI-approved channeler that accepts international cards. When your Identity History Summary arrives, mail it to us: we apostille it in Washington, D.C., and ship it back to San José. Costa Rica accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 14 December 2011.
Key takeaways
- Fingerprints are the only step done locally — on FBI FD-258 cards or through an FBI-approved channeler.
- The FBI report is a federal document, apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Mail us the report: $299 including the $20 government fee, 10–12 business days, plus a flat $99 for tracked return abroad.
- Costa Rica route
- Apostille
- Translation
- Certified Spanish translation required.
- Price
- $299 + $99 worldwide return
- Turnaround
- 10–12 business days once we receive your report
Why Americans in San José need it
Costa Rican residency categories such as pensionado and rentista require a criminal background check from your country of residence. Because only the FBI holds your nationwide U.S. record, it can’t be replaced by anything you get locally — and because it’s a federal document, only the U.S. Department of State can authenticate it.
Fingerprinting: the only step that happens in San José
After your prints are taken, everything is paperwork by mail — first with the FBI, then with us. The prints themselves have to be taken where you are:
- Where: a local police station or a private fingerprinting service in San José. Call ahead — not every station offers it, and some want an appointment.
- What to bring: blank FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards and your passport. Ask for rolled prints in black ink.
- Take two sets. If the FBI rejects one card for quality, the spare saves you another appointment and weeks of delay.
- The U.S. Embassy in San José generally doesn’t take fingerprints for FBI checks — confirm before relying on it.
Step by step from San José
Get fingerprinted
Two full sets on FD-258 cards, with your identifying details filled in exactly as on your passport.
Request your FBI report
Submit your cards to the FBI or an FBI-approved channeler that accepts international cards, and ask for the version suitable for apostille.
Order online and mail us the report
Send the FBI-issued report to our processing office by tracked courier, exactly as issued — no notarization, staples or markings.
Apostille in Washington, D.C.
We hand-deliver the report to the U.S. Department of State for the apostille.
Shipped to San José
Returned by tracked international courier, with a certified translation if you ordered one.
What Costa Rica requires
Costa Rica accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 14 December 2011. Certified Spanish translation required. Receiving offices often want the report issued within the last three to six months, so time your fingerprinting close to your filing date.
More detail on the route for Costa Rica: FBI background check for Costa Rica · all documents for Costa Rica.
Official sources: FBI — Identity History Summary Checks · FBI — Approved Channelers · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries).
How long does an FBI background check apostille take from San José?
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?
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).
FBI check from San José — FAQ
Can you get the FBI check for me?
Only in person: we take fingerprints and run FBI checks by appointment at our West Palm Beach and Miami offices in Florida. From abroad, request the report from the FBI or an approved channeler, then mail it to us for the apostille.
Can I get fingerprinted at the U.S. Embassy in San José?
U.S. embassies and consulates generally don't take fingerprints for FBI background checks. Confirm with the embassy, but plan on a local police station or fingerprinting service in San José.
How long does an apostilled FBI check take from San José?
About 10–12 business days once your FBI report reaches us, plus international return shipping. The FBI’s own processing comes first and depends on how you submit.
How much does it cost?
$299 for the apostille, plus $99 worldwide return shipping. Government fees are included. The FBI and any channeler charge their own fees for the report.
Do I need a translation in Costa Rica?
Certified Spanish translation required. We can arrange certified translation with your order.
Is the FBI check the same as a Costa Rica criminal record certificate?
No. The FBI check covers your U.S. record. If you've lived in Costa Rica for a while, authorities may also ask for a local certificate from Costa Rica's own authorities.
What if my fingerprints are rejected?
The FBI rejects prints it can't classify. Taking two full sets at the same appointment saves weeks if one is rejected.
Related: How to get an FBI background check · FD-258 fingerprint cards · FBI background check apostille
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.