FBI Background Check for International Adoption: Complete US Guide (2026)

If you are in the process of adopting internationally, you have almost certainly encountered the FBI background check requirement — and if you are doing this for the first time, the combination of USCIS forms, fingerprinting requirements, apostille rules, and country-specific deadlines can feel overwhelming.

This guide covers everything US families need to know about FBI background checks for international adoption in 2026 — what is required, which process applies to your adoption type, how both parents need to be fingerprinted, the apostille requirement, country-specific considerations, and how MR Fingerprints handles the complete process so you can focus on your family.

Why International Adoption Requires an FBI Background Check

When a US family adopts a child from another country, both the US government and the child’s birth country require criminal background clearance for all prospective adoptive parents. For US citizens, this means the FBI Identity History Summary — the federally-issued, fingerprint-based background check covering your entire US criminal history across all jurisdictions.

This is not optional and cannot be substituted with a state criminal record check. The FBI check is required because it is comprehensive — it covers all 50 states, all federal agencies, and is fingerprint-based, meaning it is tied to your specific biometric identity rather than just your name.

Hague vs. Non-Hague Adoptions — Two Different Processes

Hague Convention Adoptions — USCIS Form I-800A

If you are adopting from a country that is a member of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption — which includes China, Colombia, India, Philippines, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, and many others — your adoption goes through the Hague process. The key USCIS form is I-800A (Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country).

Under the I-800A process, USCIS conducts FBI fingerprint checks on all household members 18 and older as part of the home study approval process. USCIS submits your fingerprints to the FBI directly through their own channels. However, the birth country may also independently require an apostilled FBI background check as part of their documentation package — separate from the USCIS process. This is especially common in Colombia, the Philippines, and several Eastern European countries.

Non-Hague Adoptions — USCIS Form I-600A

If you are adopting from a country that is not a member of the Hague Adoption Convention — including many African nations, some Asian countries, and others — your adoption goes through the non-Hague process using USCIS Form I-600A (Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition). The FBI fingerprint requirement applies here as well, with USCIS conducting the checks through their own process.

As with Hague adoptions, the birth country may separately require an apostilled FBI background check submitted directly to their adoption authority.

Which Countries Require an Apostilled FBI Background Check for Adoption?

Requirements vary significantly by country. Here is a general overview of where apostilled FBI checks are commonly required in addition to the USCIS process:

Requirements change frequently. Always confirm current requirements with your licensed adoption agency and the specific country’s Central Authority or adoption authority before submitting any documentation.

Both Parents Must Be Fingerprinted — No Exceptions

This is the rule that surprises most families: every adult household member — both parents if you are a couple, plus any other adults living in the home — must be individually fingerprinted and provide their own separate FBI Identity History Summary. There is no joint or family background check.

Each person needs:

• Their own individual fingerprinting appointment
• Their own FBI Identity History Summary
• Their own federal apostille
• Their own certified translation (if the birth country requires it)

MR Fingerprints handles multiple applicants simultaneously — both parents can be processed at the same time, with both complete packages delivered together to avoid any delay in your adoption timeline.

The Process — From Fingerprinting to Apostilled Document

1. Contact MR Fingerprints — we confirm requirements for your specific adoption country and agency, advise on timing, and schedule fingerprinting for both parents
2. Get fingerprinted — in-person Live Scan at our downtown Los Angeles location (fastest, highest print quality) or remote ink fingerprinting from your city — we ship FD-258 cards to your address anywhere in the US
3. We submit to the FBI — as an FBI-approved channeler, we submit electronically to DOJ Sacramento. Results in 5–7 business days standard, 48 hours expedited
4. We coordinate your federal apostille — same day we receive your FBI results, we prepare your DS-4194 and submit to the US Department of State via our DC partner. Expedited: ~2 weeks. Standard: 6–8 weeks
5. Certified translation — if your adoption country requires translation, we coordinate certified translation in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Ukrainian, French, Portuguese, and other languages
6. Complete package delivered — apostilled FBI document plus translation delivered to your address, ready to submit to your adoption agency and the birth country authority

Timing — The Most Critical Factor in Adoption FBI Checks

What If One Parent Has a Criminal Record?

Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from international adoption. Different countries evaluate criminal history differently — they look at the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and the sentence. Misdemeanors and old minor offenses are treated differently than serious felonies.

The FBI background check and apostille do not hide or modify criminal history — they simply certify the document as authentic. If you have a criminal record and are concerned about how it will affect your adoption application, consult your licensed adoption agency and a qualified adoption attorney before starting the documentation process. MR Fingerprints processes the FBI documentation regardless of what the record shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does USCIS fingerprinting satisfy the birth country’s FBI check requirement?

Not always. USCIS conducts FBI fingerprint checks for their own I-800A or I-600A determination. However, many birth countries also require you to independently obtain and apostille your own FBI Identity History Summary for submission to their adoption authority. These are two separate requirements from two separate authorities. Confirm with your adoption agency whether your birth country has this additional requirement.

We live in Texas — do we need to come to Los Angeles for fingerprinting?

No. MR Fingerprints serves adoptive families in all 50 states. We ship FD-258 ink fingerprint cards to your Texas address with detailed instructions. You complete fingerprinting locally — at a UPS Store, police station, or notary — and mail the cards back to us. We handle FBI submission and apostille from there. Your complete package ships back to your Texas address.

How much time should we allow for the complete FBI apostille process for adoption?

With expedited processing, plan for 2–3 weeks from the day you are fingerprinted to receiving your complete apostilled package. With standard processing, 8–10 weeks. For adoption timelines specifically, we almost always recommend expedited — adoption dossier windows are tight and there is usually no time to recover from a delay.

Can both parents use the same apostille service order?

Yes — contact MR Fingerprints and let us know both parents need the complete package. We process both simultaneously and deliver both together, which is the most efficient approach for your dossier timeline. Each parent receives their own individual apostilled FBI document since apostilles are issued per person.

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