Seattle, WA
FBI Background Check Apostille in Seattle, WA
How Seattle residents get their FBI Background Check authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, the local details, timing and price.
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille office in Seattle. Federal documents like your FBI Background Check are authenticated only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. We handle that submission; you send the document by mail.
Key takeaways
- Issued by Federal Bureau of Investigation (CJIS Division); 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
- King County
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- State apostille office
- Washington Secretary of State, Olympia
- Our nearest office
- Seattle
FBI check vs. a Washington background check
A background check from the Washington State Patrol is a state document. It can only be apostilled by the Washington Secretary of State in Olympia — and foreign authorities asking for a nationwide or FBI record will reject it. The FBI Identity History Summary is the federal record they want, and it’s authenticated only in Washington, D.C.
If a foreign authority specifically asks for a Washington check as well, that one follows the state route. We can advise on both.
Seattle: the local details
Seattle is in King County, within the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Washington state documents are apostilled by the Washington Secretary of State in Olympia.
Fingerprinting is the one step that happens locally — through Seattle-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 FBI Background Check
How to apostille an FBI background check for use abroad.
Getting it done from Seattle
Our Seattle office handles Seattle 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 · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · Washington Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · U.S. Courts — Federal Court Websites.
Washington state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) are apostilled by the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division · 960 Washington St, Cheney, WA 99004 · (360) 725-0377 · state fee $15. We don’t provide state-level apostilles. Official page (checked October 2026).
How long does the FBI Background Check apostille take from Seattle?
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 Seattle?
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 Background Check in Seattle — FAQ
Is there an apostille office in Seattle for an FBI Background Check?
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 Seattle clients by mail.
Do I need to visit an office in Seattle?
No. Our Seattle office isn’t open to the public — Seattle clients order online or by phone, send documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Seattle?
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 Seattle?
Seattle is in King County, within the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Related: All documents in Seattle · FBI Background Check in Washington · FBI Background Check — full guide
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