Expedited Texas FBI Apostille Services
Moving to Mexico, teaching overseas or applying for residency abroad from Texas? Apostille Authentications has an office in Houston and serves every Texas city by mail. Your FBI background check comes back with its federal apostille 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 Austin cannot apostille your FBI background check
The Texas Secretary of State in Austin apostilles Texas documents only: birth and death certificates from Vital Statistics, county clerk and district court records, and documents signed by a Texas notary. An FBI background check comes from a federal agency, so Austin will send it back. The only office that can apostille it is the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, DC.
Two mistakes we see from Texas clients:
- A Texas DPS criminal history check is not an FBI check. A Department of Public Safety report covers Texas records only. If the consulate asks for an FBI or national check, the DPS report will be refused.
- Notarizing the FBI report does not help. Having a Texas notary stamp your FBI result and sending it to Austin produces a state apostille on the notary’s signature, which most foreign authorities reject for a federal background check.
Need a Texas document apostilled too? See Texas state apostille services.
How it works from Texas
- Fingerprints. Book an appointment at our Houston office (6124 Hwy 6 N), or get an ink FD-1164 card from a local police department or fingerprinting vendor anywhere in Texas.
- FBI Identity History Summary. Fingerprints go to the FBI electronically. The result comes back as a PDF with the FBI watermark and a division official’s signature.
- Review. We check your name, date of birth and the signature block against your passport. Texans with two surnames or a hyphenated name should send the passport page with the order, since name mismatches are the top cause of rejection.
- Federal apostille. We complete Form DS-4194 and our Herndon, Virginia office hand-carries your request to the Office of Authentications. No DOJ certification step is needed.
- Return. Pick up in Houston, or we ship by FedEx anywhere in Texas or overseas.
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.
Texas pricing and turnaround
| Service | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Expedited FBI apostille (you already have the FBI result) | $390 | 10 business days |
| Expedited bundle: fingerprinting + FBI background check + apostille | $490 | 10 business days after FBI results |
| Standard FBI apostille | $195 | 7–8 weeks |
Where we serve Texas clients
In person: our Houston office on Highway 6, close to Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land and the Energy Corridor.
By mail, statewide: Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, McAllen, Laredo, Corpus Christi and Lubbock. Email us the FBI PDF or mail a fingerprint card and we return the apostilled document by FedEx.
Why Texans need an apostilled FBI check
Mexico is the leading destination for our Texas clients, for temporary and permanent residency, followed by Panama and Spain for retirement and residency visas. Houston’s energy and engineering workforce often needs an apostilled FBI check for assignments in China, India and Australia, and teachers leave Texas every year for South Korea and Japan. Italy is common for citizenship by descent.
Mexico, Panama and Spain will also want a Spanish translation. Certified translation can be added to the same order. Most countries want the FBI check dated within the last 3 to 6 months.
FAQ
Can the Texas Secretary of State apostille an FBI background check?
No. The Secretary of State in Austin only apostilles Texas-issued and Texas-notarized documents. FBI background checks must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC.
How fast is an expedited FBI apostille in Texas?
10 business days from the day we have your FBI result. Standard processing takes 7–8 weeks.
Is a Texas DPS background check accepted instead of an FBI check?
Only if the foreign authority asked for a state-level check. If the request says FBI, federal or national, a DPS report will be rejected.
I am in Dallas, Austin or San Antonio. Do I need to come to Houston?
No. Clients outside Houston work with us by email and mail, and the apostilled document is shipped back by FedEx.
Do I need a Spanish translation for Mexico?
Usually yes. Mexican immigration offices generally require the apostilled FBI check with a Spanish translation, which we can prepare with your order.
Start your Texas FBI apostille
Call (971) 514-3743, message us on WhatsApp, or request a quote with your destination country and deadline.
