Portland, Oregon · Nationwide Service
FBI Apostille Service
Portland, Oregon
Work, Teach & Live Abroad Fully Prepared
PDX Fingerprinting provides the complete FBI apostille service in Portland, Oregon, from live scan fingerprinting through FBI background check submission through official U.S. Department of State apostille certification. We handle every step so you do not have to navigate federal bureaucracy alone.
Whether you are preparing to teach English abroad, apply for foreign residency, work internationally, or obtain dual citizenship, PDX Fingerprinting is Portland’s one-stop FBI apostille provider.
✓ Expedited Service Available ✓ Three Portland-Area Locations ✓ Same-Day Fingerprinting
What Is an FBI Apostille and Why Do You Need One?
An FBI apostille is a two-part authentication that makes your U.S. FBI background check legally valid for use in foreign countries. It consists of:
FBI Identity History Summary
The official FBI report showing your complete U.S. criminal history required by most foreign governments before issuing visas, residency permits, or employment authorization.
U.S. Dept. of State Apostille
An authentication certificate under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961 that verifies your FBI report is genuine. Without this, most foreign governments will reject the document.
FBI Identity History Summary + U.S. Dept. of State Apostille = what 125+ countries require before issuing a visa, work permit, or residency. PDX Fingerprinting handles both.
Who Needs an FBI Apostille?
| Who Needs FBI Apostille | Why They Need It |
|---|---|
| Teaching English Abroad | Teachers heading to South Korea (E-2 visa), China, Japan, Vietnam, Spain, UAE, Taiwan, and other countries. An FBI apostille is mandatory for most English teaching visas. |
| Working Abroad (General) | Professionals taking international employment who need to prove their U.S. criminal history is clear. Required across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. |
| Foreign Residency & Retirement | Applying for long-stay or retirement visas in Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia, and other popular destinations. |
| Dual Citizenship Applications | Most countries processing dual citizenship require U.S. citizens to submit an apostilled FBI Identity History Summary. |
| Marriage Abroad | Some countries require an apostilled FBI background check confirming no felony history before authorizing a foreign marriage. |
| Adoption | International adoption agencies and foreign courts require FBI background checks and apostilles for prospective adoptive parents. |
| Foreign Academic Enrollment | Certain graduate programs and universities abroad require an apostilled criminal background check for enrollment. |
| Expats Establishing Residency | Anyone transitioning from a tourist visa to legal residency in a Hague Convention country needs an apostilled FBI report. |
The Complete FBI Apostille Process Step by Step
Fingerprinting at PDX Fingerprinting
Visit any of our three Portland-area locations in Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, or Beaverton or request mobile service. Our certified technician captures your fingerprints via live scan (electronic, no ink) or FBI standard ink cards (FD-258) if required. The appointment takes less than 10 minutes.
FBI Submission via Approved Channeler
As an FBI-Approved Channeler, PDX Fingerprinting submits your fingerprints electronically to the FBI. Your FBI Identity History Summary is returned electronically (EDO) in as little as 24–48 business hours with our expedited service. Standard submission takes 2–4 weeks.
U.S. Department of State Apostille Submission
PDX Fingerprinting submits your FBI Identity History Summary to the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. for apostille certification. We prepare all required documents, cover letters, and payment on your behalf. You do not need to contact the Department of State directly.
Apostille Certificate Attached & Returned
The U.S. Department of State attaches the apostille certificate to your FBI report and returns the combined document. Standard State Dept. processing: 7–10 business days. Expedited State Dept. service is available for an additional fee.
Translation (If Required)
Some destination countries require your FBI apostille to be translated into their official language. PDX Fingerprinting ATA-certified translators provide USCIS-accepted, notarized, certified translations. We coordinate this simultaneously, so no time is lost
FBI Apostille Timeline How Long Does It Take?
| Process Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Fingerprinting at PDX Fingerprinting | Less than 10 minutes at any of our three locations or mobile. Same-day. |
| Step 2: FBI Processing Expedited (channeler) | 24–48 business hours. Results returned electronically. Recommended. |
| Step 2: FBI Processing Standard (mail) | 2–4 weeks. Lower cost, significantly slower. |
| Step 3: State Dept. Apostille Standard | 7–10 business days after the FBI report is received. |
| Step 3: State Dept. Apostille Expedited | 3–5 business days (subject to State Dept. availability). |
| TOTAL: Expedited FBI + Standard Apostille | 2–3 weeks from fingerprinting to document in hand. |
| TOTAL: Expedited FBI + Expedited Apostille | 10–15 business days from fingerprinting to document in hand. |
| TOTAL: Standard FBI + Standard Apostille | 6–8 weeks. Not recommended for time-sensitive applications. |
Which Countries Require an FBI Apostille?
All 125+ member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention require an apostille on U.S. federal documents. The following are the most commonly requested by PDX Fingerprinting clients:
| Country | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Teaching visa (E-2), work visas. Must be issued within 6 months. Apostille required. | Also often requires a certified Korean translation. |
| Spain | Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), work permits, residency. Apostille required. | Must include full criminal history disclosure. |
| Italy | Elective residency, citizenship. Apostille required. | Italy also accepts legalizations for some document types. |
| Mexico | Temporary and Permanent Residency (FM2/FM3). Apostille required. | Among our most frequently requested destinations. |
| Portugal | D7 Visa, NHR, Golden Visa program. Apostille required. | Very popular for retirees and remote workers. |
| Germany | Work visa and Blue Card applications. Apostille often required. | Requirements vary by German state (Bundesland). |
| Brazil | Permanent residency and work permits. Apostille required. | Strong demand among the Brazilian diaspora in Portland. |
| Australia | Certain visa classes. Apostille or notarization, depending on document type. | Confirm the requirement with your visa agent. |
| UAE | Work visa. Not a Hague member requires embassy authentication, not an apostille. | PDX Fingerprinting handles embassy legalization, too. |
| China | Work visa (Z visa). Not a Hague member requires embassy authentication. | The process differs from an apostille. PDX handles this. |
Not sure what your country requires? Call (503) 212-0678. PDX serves clients going to 30+ countries every year.
FBI Apostille vs. Oregon State Apostille
FBI Apostille
- Issued by: U.S. Department of State (federal)
- For: FBI Identity History Summary
- Used for: Working abroad, teaching abroad, foreign residency, dual citizenship
Oregon State Apostille
- Issued by: Oregon Secretary of State
- For: Oregon-issued documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas)
- Used for: State documents going to foreign countries
Do I Need Both?
Many clients going abroad need BOTH an FBI apostille for their federal background check AND an Oregon apostille for their birth certificate or divorce decree. PDX Fingerprinting handles both processes simultaneously.
Why Choose PDX Fingerprinting for FBI Apostille?
Complete In-House Process
Fingerprinting + FBI submission + apostille + translation all handled by PDX. One contact, one process.
FBI-Approved Channeler
We submit fingerprints directly to the FBI electronically. Expedited results in 24–48 hours far faster than self-submission.
Nationwide Service
PDX Fingerprinting provides FBI apostille services to clients in all 50 U.S. states.
Experienced with 30+ Destination Countries
We know current requirements for South Korea, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, UAE, China, and more.
Translation & Notarization On-Site
ATA-certified translators and licensed notary publics at all three locations no second visit needed.
Veteran-Owned & Women-Owned
Portland business proudly serving the community since 2018.
Start Your FBI Apostille Process Today
Three Portland-Area Locations + Mobile Service · Same-Day Fingerprinting Available
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FBI apostille and do I need one?
An FBI apostille is a U.S. Department of State authentication certificate attached to your FBI Identity History Summary that makes the document legally valid in foreign countries. You need one if you are going abroad to teach, work, retire, establish residency, obtain dual citizenship, or get married in a country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Without the apostille, most foreign governments will not accept your FBI background check.
How long does the complete FBI apostille process take?
With PDX Fingerprinting expedited service: fingerprinting takes less than 10 minutes. FBI processing via channeler: 24-48 business hours. U.S. Department of State apostille: 7-10 business days standard, 3-5 days expedited. Total expedited: approximately 2-3 weeks from fingerprinting to apostilled document in hand. Call (503) 212-0678 for current processing estimates.
Does PDX Fingerprinting handle the entire FBI apostille process?
Yes. PDX Fingerprinting is one of the very few Portland-area providers that manages the complete FBI apostille process in-house: live scan fingerprinting, FBI submission via approved channeler, document preparation, and U.S. Department of State apostille submission. You do not need to contact the FBI or the Department of State. We handle everything and keep you updated throughout the process.
Which countries require an FBI apostille?
All 125+ member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention require an apostille on U.S. federal documents. This includes South Korea, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Mexico, Brazil, Portugal, Japan, Australia, and many more. For countries not in the Hague Convention like the UAE and China, we assist with embassy legalization, which is a different process that serves the same purpose.
Does an FBI apostille expire?
The apostille certificate itself does not expire. However, most foreign governments require the underlying FBI Identity History Summary to be recent typically issued within the last 3-12 months. South Korea (E-2 visa) requires it within 6 months. Always check your specific destination country’s current requirement. We recommend starting the process at least 6-8 weeks before your visa appointment.
Can I get an FBI apostille if I live outside Oregon?
Yes. PDX Fingerprinting provides FBI apostille services to clients in all 50 states. If you are not near our Portland locations, contact us at (503) 212-0678 or in**@***************ng.com to discuss your options including coordinating with your local fingerprinting provider for the fingerprinting step.
What if my destination country requires translation of the FBI apostille?
Some destination countries particularly non-English-speaking countries require a certified translation of your FBI apostille into their official language. PDX Fingerprinting ATA-certified translators provide this service on-site. We coordinate translation simultaneously with the apostille process, so no additional time is added to your timeline.
Is the FBI apostille the same as an Oregon state apostille?
No. They are two different documents. An FBI apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. An Oregon state apostille is issued by the Oregon Secretary of State for state-issued documents. Many clients going abroad need both. PDX Fingerprinting handles both processes.
How much does an FBI apostille cost at PDX Fingerprinting?
Our fee includes fingerprinting, FBI submission coordination, and apostille submission management. The FBI and U.S. Department of State also charge their own processing fees. Visit pdxfingerprinting.com/pricing or call (503) 212-0678 for a complete current price breakdown. Bundle pricing is available for fingerprinting + FBI + apostille.
Do I need to be physically present for the FBI apostille process?
Only for the fingerprinting step either at one of our three Portland-area locations or via our mobile service that comes to you. All subsequent steps (FBI submission and apostille submission to the Department of State) are handled remotely by PDX Fingerprinting on your behalf. Documents are returned to you by tracked mail or courier.
