South Carolina
FBI Background Check Apostille for South Carolina Residents
How South Carolina residents get their FBI Background Check authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the South Carolina Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
There is no federal apostille office in South Carolina. Federal documents like your FBI Background Check are authenticated only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — the South Carolina Secretary of State can’t apostille them. We handle the Washington 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 — the South Carolina Secretary of State can’t apostille it.
- 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.
- Authenticated by
- U.S. Department of State
- South Carolina apostille office
- South Carolina Secretary of State, Columbia
- Our nearest office
- Charlotte
- Price
- $299 per document ($399 non-Hague), government fees included
FBI check vs. a South Carolina background check
A background check from South Carolina’s state criminal-records agency is a state document. It can only be apostilled by the South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia — 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 South Carolina check as well, that one follows the state route. We can advise on both.
About the FBI Background Check
How to apostille an FBI background check for use abroad.
What the South Carolina Secretary of State can do
The South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia issues apostilles for documents signed by South Carolina officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from South Carolina registrars, South Carolina state-court records, and documents notarized by South Carolina notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from South Carolina
We serve South Carolina by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to South Carolina is Charlotte. There’s no need to visit an office in person.
| 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 |
Serving Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach and everywhere else in South Carolina.
Official sources: FBI — Identity History Summary Checks · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · South Carolina Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries).
South Carolina state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) are apostilled by the South Carolina Secretary of State, Authentications · 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201 · state fee $5. We don’t provide state-level apostilles. Official page (checked October 2026).
How long does the FBI Background Check apostille take from South Carolina?
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 from South Carolina?
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 South Carolina — FAQ
Can the South Carolina Secretary of State apostille my FBI Background Check?
No. This is a federal document, so only the U.S. Department of State can authenticate it. A state apostille on it would be rejected abroad.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from South Carolina?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most South Carolina clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from South Carolina?
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.
Will a South Carolina background check work instead?
Usually not. A South Carolina check is a state document and foreign authorities asking for an FBI or nationwide record will reject it.
Related: FBI Background Check — full guide · All documents in South Carolina · Federal vs. state apostille
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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.