How to Apostille an FBI Background Check (Texas Guide)
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An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document, so it does not go to the Texas Secretary of State. It must be apostilled by the US Department of State Office of Authentications using form DS-4194. Sending it to Austin is the single most common mistake, and it costs weeks. A Texas Department of Public Safety state background check is different and does go to the Texas SOS.
Last updated: 1 August 2026 · Written by Atikur Rahman, commissioned Texas Notary Public
Federal or state? Check this first
| FBI Identity History Summary | Texas DPS background check | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | FBI (federal) | Texas Department of Public Safety (state) |
| Apostilled by | US Department of State, Washington DC | Texas Secretary of State, Austin |
| Form required | DS-4194 | Form 2102 |
| Typical fee | $20 per document | $15 per document |
| Timeline | Weeks — verify current times before relying on any figure | Same-day counter, or around 10 days by mail |
Ask the receiving country which one they want before you order anything. Many require the FBI check specifically and will not accept a state-level one. Some accept either. Ordering the wrong one costs you the whole cycle.
The steps for an FBI check
- Request your Identity History Summary from the FBI. Directly, or through an FBI-approved Channeler, which is usually faster.
- Make sure it is signed by an FBI official. The Department of State authenticates that signature. An unsigned electronic copy will not work.
- Complete form DS-4194. The destination country must be named on it, and it must be the correct country — the apostille is issued for that country.
- Include the fee — $20 per document at time of writing, payable as the Department of State currently specifies.
- Post it to the Office of Authentications with a prepaid return envelope.
Do not notarise an FBI background check. It is already a certified government document, and notarising it can invalidate it — the same principle that applies to birth and marriage certificates.
How long it takes
Federal apostille processing times fluctuate significantly and have run anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months depending on backlog. Some services advertise expedited handling around nine business days, but that reflects courier and hand-delivery arrangements rather than a guaranteed government turnaround.
Verify the current published processing time with the US Department of State before committing to any deadline. If you have a visa appointment or a job start date, build in far more margin than you think you need.
Common reasons it comes back
- Sent to Austin instead of Washington. The most frequent error by a wide margin.
- Wrong country named on DS-4194, or left blank.
- Unsigned or uncertified copy of the FBI summary.
- The document was notarised when it should not have been.
- Summary too old. Many countries will not accept one issued more than three to six months earlier.
- Destination is not a Hague Convention country — in which case you need consular legalisation, not an apostille.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Texas Secretary of State apostille an FBI check?
No. State offices can only authenticate documents issued within that state. Federal documents route through the US Department of State.
How long is an FBI background check valid for apostille?
The apostille itself does not expire, but the receiving authority usually cares how recently the check was issued. Three to six months is the common expectation — confirm with whoever is asking.
Do I need the physical copy?
Generally yes for apostille purposes. Requirements around electronic summaries have shifted over time, so confirm current rules before ordering.
What if my country is not in the Hague Convention?
You need consular legalisation instead — authentication followed by the destination country's embassy or consulate. Longer, more expensive, more steps.
Can I do it myself?
Yes. The process is public and the fees are modest. What a service adds is checking the document is acceptable before it is submitted, and handling the resubmission if something is wrong.
Where we can help
We handle Texas-issued documents end to end at $90 per document with a one to two business day turnaround, and we can advise on the federal route before you submit — which is usually the point at which mistakes are cheapest to fix. See our apostille service, or notary services if a document needs notarising first.
Related: how much an apostille costs in Texas and jurat vs acknowledgement.
General information about process and fees, not legal advice. Federal and state fees and processing times change; confirm current figures with the US Department of State and the Texas Secretary of State before relying on them.