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Last updated: November 2026. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change, so confirm with official sources and your school before you apply.
If you are signing an international teaching contract, there is a good chance your new school will ask for an apostilled FBI background check. It is one of the most common visa documents, and one of the most commonly delayed. I've been through this process more than once over a decade of teaching overseas. Here is how to do it right the first time, even if you are already living abroad.
What you actually need
Your school will usually ask for three things in a row:
An FBI Identity History Summary, the official name for an FBI background check. It is based on your fingerprints, not your name.
A federal apostille from the US Department of State, which certifies the FBI document for use abroad.
Embassy legalization, only if your destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
The most expensive mistake teachers make is sending their FBI check to their home state's Secretary of State. An FBI check is a federal document, so its apostille can only come from the US Department of State in Washington, DC. Your state handles state documents, such as your degree, not federal ones.
Step 1: Get fingerprinted, even overseas
US embassies and consulates generally do not take fingerprints for background checks, so you need a local option:
Print the FBI's FD-258 fingerprint card on white card stock.
Ask your local police whether they will roll your prints on it. Many countries will; some will not.
If police won't help, search for a private fingerprinting service in your city that handles FD-258 cards for expats.
Ask for both rolled and flat impressions of all ten fingers, and check that every box is clear before you leave. Smudged prints are the top reason for rejection.
Step 2: Request your FBI check
You have two routes:
Directly from the FBI (start the request online, then mail your card): $18. Expect about 2–3 weeks once the FBI receives your card, plus international mail time. Paper-only mail requests can take much longer. Best for teachers with a few months before their start date.
Through an FBI-approved channeler: the $18 FBI fee plus a service fee of about $25–$50. Results usually arrive in 1–3 business days once your prints are received. Best for anyone on a deadline.
Tip: choose the electronic PDF result if offered. Apostille services can work from the official PDF, which saves international postage. If you do need to post your fingerprint card or paperwork, use a tracked courier rather than standard mail. DHL publishes a discount code for international document shipments, so check its document-shipping page before you pay full price.
Step 3: Get the federal apostille
The State Department's Office of Authentications charges $20 per document. You can:
Mail it yourself with form DS-4194, the fee and a prepaid return envelope. The State Department says it processes mailed requests within five weeks of receiving them; add mailing time on both ends. Apostille services report real waits of 6–12 weeks in 2026, so build in a buffer.
Use an apostille service that hand-delivers in Washington, DC. Published prices run from about $60 to $250 per document, and most fall between $100 and $200 (check whether the $20 government fee is included), and turnaround can drop to days rather than weeks.
Check your destination's age limit: many countries and schools want the FBI check issued within the last three to six months. Don't start too early.
Step 4: Embassy legalization (only for some countries)
If your new country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you are done after Step 3. If not, the document needs one more stamp from that country's embassy in the US, and sometimes a final stamp after you arrive.
For the Gulf, which hires a lot of international teachers:
Saudi Arabia: accepts the apostille (it joined the Convention in December 2022).
Bahrain and Oman: accept the apostille.
UAE: embassy legalization, about AED 150 at the UAE embassy, then AED 150 at the UAE foreign ministry.
Qatar and Kuwait: embassy legalization through their embassies in Washington, DC.
Always confirm with your school's HR first. Rules change, and some schools have their own preferred agents.
How long it really takes
Plan for two to four months from fingerprints to finished document if you do everything by mail. With a channeler and an apostille service, it can be done in a few weeks. Start as soon as you sign your contract.
Paying fees from abroad
Most of these fees are charged in US dollars. If your salary is now paid in another currency, a low-fee transfer account saves you a lot on exchange margins.
For the full picture of moving abroad to teach, from recruiters to contracts to what to pack, see my Guide to Teaching Overseas.
Frequently asked questions
Can my state apostille my FBI background check?
No. It is a federal document, so only the US Department of State can apostille it.
Can I get fingerprinted at a US embassy?
Generally no. Use local police or a private fingerprinting service.
Do I need to notarize my FBI check first?
No. The FBI document goes straight to the State Department.
How recent does my FBI check need to be?
It depends on the country and school; three to six months is common. Ask HR before you order it.
What if my destination isn't a Hague country?
You will also need embassy legalization. See Step 4.
Sources: FBI fee, 28 CFR 16.33 · FBI processing times · State Department Office of Authentications · Form DS-4194 · Reported 2026 apostille wait times · Criminal records for citizens abroad · Saudi Arabia joins the Apostille Convention · Oman joins the Apostille Convention · Bahrain and Oman dates · UAE attestation fees · Channeler fees · DHL document shipping · Apostille service prices: US Legalization, APVI, Southeast Spanish, VisaRite, PrintScan