FBI Apostille for Spain
FBI Background Check — Federal Apostille for Spain
The complete package: FBI Identity History Summary + federal apostille (US Dept. of State) + certified Spanish translation, prepared to the requirements of Spanish consulates and immigration offices. 100% remote.
Why the FBI apostille for Spain requires the US Dept. of State
We submit exclusively to the correct federal authority. Every document we process passes the Spain test.
Wrong (rejected by Spain)
- State Secretary of State apostille on an FBI document
- Local police background check instead of FBI
- FBI certificate older than your procedure allows (the age limit is set per consular post and visa)
- Plain translation instead of certified sworn translation
Correct (accepted by Spain)
- FBI Identity History Summary (original)
- Federal apostille from US Dept. of State
- Issued within the age limit your consular post sets (verified examples: 3, 5 or 6 months)
- Certified Spanish translation by sworn translator
Choose your package
Apostille only
Already have a valid FBI Identity History Summary? We submit it to the US Dept. of State for the federal apostille.
- Federal apostille submission
- US State Dept. published timelines (mail: currently within five weeks from receipt)
- No FBI-style "expedite" exists at the federal level
- Tracked delivery
Full Spain package
Everything — FBI check, federal apostille, and certified Spanish translation in one coordinated service.
- FBI fingerprinting guidance
- FBI submission & tracking
- Federal apostille (US Dept. of State)
- Certified Spanish translation
- Express international delivery
- Total: per published FBI and State Dept. timelines
Rush — expedited
Urgent visa or regularization deadline? Prioritized handling between steps + same-day translation — with the real FBI and State Dept. windows confirmed up front.
- Priority coordination & tracking
- State Dept. apostille submission
- Same-day certified translation
- Total: per current official timelines, confirmed before start
How the FBI apostille process works
FBI apostille FAQ
Can a state Secretary of State apostille my FBI document?
No. FBI documents are federal records. Only the US Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, DC can issue a valid apostille. State offices do not have jurisdiction. Spain will reject a state-level apostille on an FBI document.
Do I need to go to the US to get fingerprinted?
No. We mail you an FBI fingerprint card (FD-258). You can get fingerprinted at most local law enforcement offices, UPS stores with LiveScan, or US embassy/consulate in your country. We provide complete instructions.
How long is the FBI certificate valid for Spain?
There is no single nationwide age rule for Spain. The maximum age and translation requirements are verified per consular post and visa, not with a fixed national range. For example, Boston's long-term-residence recovery visa checklist says five months. We help you time the request correctly relative to your application date.
Can you get the apostille if I already have my FBI certificate?
Yes. If you already have a valid FBI Identity History Summary, we only charge for the apostille and translation. Send us a scan for a free review.
Does Spain need the translation of the apostille as well?
Not always. Boston's long-term-residence recovery visa checklist, for example, expressly says the apostille need not be translated. Verify the requirements for your actual post and visa before ordering translations.
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Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.