California FBI / Background Check Apostille Guide
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If you're applying for a work visa, teaching job, foreign residence permit, or dual citizenship, many countries require an apostilled criminal background check. For Californians, there are two main routes: FBI Identity History Summary (federal) apostilled by U.S. Department of State, or California DOJ background check (state) apostilled by California Secretary of State. The apostille certifies the origin and authenticity of the signature and seal — not the content of the report.
The two types of background checks
Covers your entire U.S. record (nationwide). Issued directly by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division.
Commonly required for:
- • Residency abroad
- • Teaching positions
- • Immigration applications
- • International adoption
Covers your California state record only. Issued by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) in Sacramento.
Required when:
- • Foreign authority specifically requests state-level check
- • Local residency requirements
- • Employment verification within California
Comparison chart: which one do you need?
| Requirement | Use Case | Issued By | Apostilled By | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FBI Background Check | Working abroad, residence permits, citizenship | FBI (CJIS) | U.S. Department of State (DC) | $18 (FBI) + $20 (DoS) | 5–7 weeks mail / ~7 days walk-in |
| California DOJ Record | Local residency, adoption, employment | California DOJ | California Secretary of State | Varies + $20 ($6 in-person add-on) | 1–3 weeks depending on method |
Step-by-step: FBI Background Check + U.S. Department of State Apostille
- 1
Request your FBI report
- • Apply online at https://www.edo.cjis.gov/
- • Pay $18
- • Submit fingerprints at a participating USPS or mail an FD-1164 fingerprint card
- 2
Wait for FBI results
Digital report available in 3–5 days
Physical mailed copy takes longer
- 3
Prepare apostille packet for U.S. Department of State
- • Complete Form DS-4194
- • Pay $20 per document (check/money order to "U.S. Department of State")
- • Include destination country
- • Attach FBI report + payment + DS-4194
- 4
Submit to DoS
Mail to:
Office of Authentications
U.S. Department of State
44132 Mercure Circle, PO Box 1206
Sterling, VA 20166-1206In-person (drop-off/pick-up):
600 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006 - 5
Receive apostilled FBI report
You'll receive your report back with a federal apostille attached by the U.S. Department of State
Step-by-step: California DOJ Background Check + CA Secretary of State Apostille
- 1
Request your Record Review
- • Visit https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review
- • Submit Live Scan Form BCIA 8016RR
- • Pay DOJ processing fee
- 2
Wait for your DOJ record
You'll receive the original signed record from the California DOJ
- 3
Prepare for apostille
- • Verify it's signed by a recognized DOJ official
- • Complete the Apostille Mail Request Cover Sheet (from sos.ca.gov)
- • Include $20 per apostille (check/money order to "Secretary of State")
- 4
Mail or drop off
Mail (USPS only):
Notary Public Section
P.O. Box 942877
Sacramento, CA 94277-0001Courier / other carriers:
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814In-person:
- • Sacramento Office: 1500 11th St.
- • Los Angeles Office: 300 S. Spring St., Room 12513
- • $6 Special Handling Fee per signature applies in person
- 5
Receive your apostille
CA SOS attaches a gold foil apostille to the DOJ record. Processing: 1–3 weeks (mail) or same/next-day (walk-in)
Processing times & fees (summary)
| Agency | Fee | Processing Time | Submission |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBI (CJIS) | $18 | 3–5 business days (electronic) | Online |
| U.S. DoS | $20 per document | 5+ weeks mail / 7 business days walk-in | DS-4194 form |
| CA DOJ | Varies | 7–14 days | Live Scan / Mail |
| CA SOS | $20 + optional $6 | 1–3 weeks mail / same-day walk-in | Cover Sheet + Payment |
Real-world examples & visa use cases
Require FBI report + apostille issued within 6 months
Accepts FBI apostille only
Accepts either FBI or CA DOJ, depending on company requirements
Either FBI or state-level record may suffice; always confirm with consulate
Usually require both — a state and a federal background check
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- ❌ Sending the FBI report to the California SOS (wrong level — state cannot apostille federal docs)
- ❌ Forgetting to include the destination country on DS-4194 (DoS will return it)
- ❌ Submitting electronic FBI PDFs printed at home without DoS authentication — must be authenticated copy from FBI
- ❌ Using old Live Scan forms (must use BCIA 8016RR, latest revision)
- ❌ Mailing to wrong address (Sterling, VA vs. Sacramento)
Confused about FBI vs CA DOJ?
Answer a few questions and we'll tell you exactly which path to take, what forms you need, and where to send everything.
Get My Personalized GuideFrequently asked questions
Can I apostille my FBI report in California?▼
What if my destination country isn't in The Hague Convention?▼
Can I use a copy of my FBI report?▼
Do I need to notarize my DOJ background check?▼
Can someone else submit on my behalf?▼
I live in California — can I still do the FBI/DoS route?▼
Related guides
Sources & Methodology
Official Sources
- California Secretary of State — Apostille Services
- California Department of Public Health — Vital Records
- Hague Conference on Private International Law
Our Process
- Daily verification against official state sources
- Expert review by certified document specialists
- Fee and processing time monitoring
Disclaimer: This information is general guidance and not legal advice. Always verify current information directly with the California Secretary of State before submitting your application.
Verification & Updates Log
Tracking content accuracy and improvements
- 2026-02-20Verified
Confirmed current fees ($20) and processing times (5-7 days) with CA SOS
- 2026-01-10Updated
Added information about LA office walk-in availability
- 2026-01-05Verified
Confirmed same-day service still available at Sacramento office
- 2025-12-25Improved
Added FAQ about photocopies vs original certified copies
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