Expedited Iowa FBI Apostille Services
An apostilled FBI background check is a federal document from start to finish, which means no office in Iowa can complete it. Apostille Authentications works with Iowa residents remotely. Send us your FBI result by email, we have it hand-delivered to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC, and the finished apostille is back at your door by FedEx in 10 business days.
Call (971) 514-3743 or request a quote.
- Ensure your documents are processed without delay
- Speak with our experts for personalized assistance
- Discover how we can expedite your apostille process
Why Des Moines cannot apostille your FBI background check
Iowa apostilles are issued by the Iowa Secretary of State, on the first floor of the Lucas Building at 321 E. 12th Street in Des Moines. The office describes its apostilles and certificates as confirming that the notary or elected official who signed a document in Iowa was able to do so at the time of signing.
That definition is the reason an FBI report is out of reach. The Secretary of State says the state can only certify documents signed by a notary or elected official within Iowa, and it sends people with federal background checks to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. The official who signs an FBI Identity History Summary is a federal employee, not an Iowa one.
Two things to know before you start:
- An Iowa DCI record check is not an FBI check. The Division of Criminal Investigation, part of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, runs Iowa criminal history record checks. The request is name-based and needs a first name, last name and exact date of birth. It reports Iowa criminal history. When a consulate writes FBI, federal or national, this is not the document it means.
- Adding an Iowa notary does not convert the document. Because Des Moines certifies notary signatures, a notarized copy of an FBI report can technically receive an Iowa certificate. That certificate speaks to the notary, not to the FBI, and foreign immigration offices commonly reject it.
For Iowa vital records, court documents or notarized papers, see state apostille services.
How it works from Iowa
- Fingerprints, taken locally. Choose an ink FD-1164 card from a police department, sheriff’s office or fingerprinting vendor, or sign up on the FBI’s eDO site and give electronic prints at a participating U.S. Post Office. You then request the FBI Identity History Summary and pay the FBI’s $18 fee.
- The FBI sends your result. It is a PDF with the FBI watermark and the signature of a division official.
- You forward the PDF to us. We compare the name and date of birth with your passport first. Include a scan of the passport photo page.
- Washington, DC. We fill in Form DS-4194, and our Herndon, Virginia office hand-carries the request to the Department of State Office of Authentications. An FBI result needs no DOJ certification beforehand. It goes straight to the Department of State.
- Delivery. FedEx to any address in Iowa, or FedEx or DHL to an address overseas.
Apostille Authentications does not have an Iowa office and does not fingerprint anyone in the state. We take over once the FBI PDF is in your inbox.
Avoid Rejections
Avoid apostille rejections with our expert help.
Expedite Your Documents
State agents for same-day apostille service.
Security
We prioritize the security and confidentiality of your documents.
Translations/ Intl. Shipping
Certified translation and discounted shipping.
Iowa pricing and turnaround
| Service | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Expedited FBI apostille (you already have the FBI result) | $390 | 10 business days |
| Standard FBI apostille | $195 | 7–8 weeks |
We count the 10 business days from receipt of your FBI PDF. The expedited price pays for hand delivery in Washington instead of the slower standard route.
Where we serve Iowa clients
Every county, since the service runs on email and FedEx. Our Iowa clients write to us from Des Moines, West Des Moines and Ankeny, from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, from Davenport in the Quad Cities, and from Sioux City, Waterloo, Dubuque, Ames and Council Bluffs. A farm address outside any of these gets the same 10 business days.
Why Iowans need an apostilled FBI check
Common destinations for our Iowa clients include South Korea, Japan and China, where teaching and work visas require an apostilled FBI check. Spain, Mexico and Costa Rica ask for it with study, residency and retirement applications. Germany and the Netherlands request it in some work and residence permit cases, India with employment and family visas, and Italy with citizenship by descent files.
Where the receiving country does not work in English, expect to supply a translation. Certified translation is available on the same order. Many authorities accept only an FBI check issued in the past 3 to 6 months, so do not get fingerprinted too far ahead.
Our FBI apostille services page covers the federal process in more detail.
FAQ
Can the Iowa Secretary of State apostille an FBI background check?
No. The office in Des Moines can only certify documents signed by an Iowa notary or elected official. It refers federal background checks to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC.
How quickly can I get an expedited FBI apostille in Iowa?
10 business days, counted from the day your FBI result reaches us. The standard service takes 7–8 weeks.
Is an Iowa DCI criminal history record check the same as an FBI check?
No. The Division of Criminal Investigation check is a name-based search of Iowa criminal history. Use it only when a foreign authority specifically asks for a state check.
I am in Cedar Rapids or Sioux City. Do I need to visit the Lucas Building in Des Moines?
No. The Secretary of State has no role in an FBI apostille, and we have no office in Iowa. You email the PDF and the apostille comes back by FedEx.
Do you translate the apostilled FBI check?
Yes. Certified translation can be added to the order, which is useful for Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica and other countries that want the document in their own language.
Start your Iowa FBI apostille
Call (971) 514-3743, message us on WhatsApp, or request a quote with your destination country and the date you need the document.
