FBI Apostille in 2 Weeks: How We Do It and Why It’s the Fastest Legal Method

If you have been researching FBI apostille services, you have probably seen two kinds of timelines: the standard 6–8 week government mail-in route, and vague claims of ‘expedited processing’ with no explanation of what that actually means.

This post explains exactly how MR Fingerprints delivers FBI apostilles in approximately 2 weeks — what the mechanism is, why it is faster, and why it is the fastest non-emergency method legally available in the United States. No vague claims. No fine print.

Why Standard FBI Apostille Takes 6–8 Weeks

The US Department of State Office of Authentications in Sterling, Virginia (with walk-in counter in Washington DC) is the only office in the United States with authority to apostille an FBI background check. There is no shortcut around this — it is a federal requirement.

When someone submits their FBI document by mail, here is what happens:

1. They download and complete the DS-4194 form (the State Department’s Request for Authentication Services form)
2. They mail the document, the form, a check or money order for $20, and a prepaid return envelope to Sterling, VA
3. The State Department receives the package — typically 2–5 days after mailing depending on the carrier
4. The package sits in queue with thousands of other mail-in submissions
5. Processing takes 6–8 weeks from the date the State Department receives it — as of 2026
6. The apostilled document is mailed back to the return address on the envelope

Total time from sending: 7–10 weeks including transit in both directions. And that assumes the DS-4194 form was filled out correctly — a missing or incorrect destination country in Section 4 causes the entire package to be returned unprocessed, resetting the clock completely.

Why Our Method Takes 2 Weeks

The State Department Office of Authentications has a walk-in counter in Washington DC, open Monday through Thursday, 7:30am–9:00am only. Documents submitted in person at the walk-in counter are processed in 7–10 business days — significantly faster than mail-in.

MR Fingerprints works with a DC-based partner who submits documents in person at the Office of Authentications every business day. This is the mechanism. Here is the full sequence:

7. You email us your FBI Identity History Summary as a PDF
8. We prepare your DS-4194 form and submission package — same day we receive your PDF
9. Our DC partner submits your document at the walk-in counter — next business day
10. The State Department processes your apostille in 7–10 business days and releases it to our partner
11. Our partner ships your apostilled document to your address via FedEx or UPS

From the day you email us to the day your apostilled document arrives at your door: approximately 2–3 weeks. This is the fastest non-emergency method available to any provider in the United States — because in-person walk-in submission is the fastest method the State Department offers.

What About Emergency Same-Day Options?

The State Department does offer emergency same-day apostille service — but only for genuine life-or-death emergencies, approved in advance by the Office of Authentications. Visa deadlines, job start dates, consulate appointments, and moving dates do not qualify for emergency processing.

Our 2-week expedited service is the fastest available option for every non-emergency situation. If you have a real emergency — a medical situation requiring immediate international travel — contact us and we will advise on whether you qualify and how to apply.

The Real Timeline — Side by Side

Timeline assumes your FBI document is already in hand. If you still need your FBI background check, contact MR Fingerprints — we handle fingerprinting and FBI submission as well, with results in 5–7 business days standard or 48 hours expedited.

What Can Delay Even Expedited Processing

In the interest of full transparency — these are the things that can add time to even the expedited route:

• Federal holidays — the State Department is closed on all federal holidays. The Office of Authentications is also closed Fridays year-round. If your submission week includes a holiday, add 1–2 business days.
• Volume spikes — while rare with in-person submission, unusually high government document volume can occasionally extend processing by 1–2 days beyond the standard 7–10 business day window.
• Return shipping delays — FedEx and UPS transit to your address is typically 2–3 days. Remote locations may take longer.

Even accounting for these variables, our expedited service consistently delivers in 2–3 weeks total. We have never seen it exceed 4 weeks for a standard submission.

Do I Need to Be in Los Angeles or DC to Use This Service?

No. MR Fingerprints processes FBI apostilles for clients in all 50 states — entirely remotely. You email us your FBI PDF from Boston, Denver, New York, Miami, Seattle, anywhere. Our DC partner handles the State Department submission. Your apostilled document ships directly to your address.

You never need to travel to Los Angeles or Washington DC. The only thing you send us is an email with your FBI document attached.

What If I Need a Translation Too?

If your destination country requires a certified translation — Germany, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Spain, France, Mexico, and others — MR Fingerprints coordinates certified translation in all major languages as part of the same process. Your apostilled document and certified translation are delivered together as one complete, submission-ready package. You do not need to coordinate a separate translation provider.

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