Do I need a state criminal record, an FBI background check, or both?

Many foreign countries require both. The state record covers crimes in your state of residence; the FBI check covers federal and multi-state records. We help you determine what your destination requires.

How long does it take?

State criminal history processing times vary by state agency and current volume, plus the Secretary of State apostille time. We give you a combined estimate when you order.

What if I have lived in multiple states?

Some countries require a criminal record from every state where you have lived for an extended period. We advise on how many states your destination typically requires and coordinate ordering from each.

What if I have a record? Does that prevent apostille?

An apostille authenticates the document regardless of its contents. Whether an existing criminal record affects your visa or residency application is a decision made by the foreign authority, not by the apostille process.

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Criminal Record apostille

State-issued criminal records — sometimes called criminal history reports or background clearance letters — are frequently required by foreign governments when a U.S. citizen or resident applies for a long-term visa, work permit, residency, or citizenship. The document must be apostilled to be recognized officially in the receiving country. State criminal records and FBI records are separate documents with different authentication paths.

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What is a criminal record apostille?

A state criminal record is issued by a state law enforcement or justice agency (such as the state police or department of public safety). Because it is a government-issued public document, it can be apostilled directly by the Secretary of State of the issuing state without prior notarization. The apostille certifies the issuing agency's signature and seal.

When you need one

State criminal record apostilles are commonly required for: long-term work visas that require a background check from the applicant's state of residence, residency and citizenship applications in foreign countries, teaching or professional licensing applications abroad that mandate a clean criminal record, adoption proceedings in countries that require background clearance of prospective adoptive parents, and some investor visa programs.

How Laurela handles it

We identify the correct state agency for your state's criminal record, order the official document, and route it to the Secretary of State for apostille. If you need both a state criminal record and an FBI check, we coordinate both orders so they move in parallel and arrive together.

Apostille vs. embassy legalization

State criminal records follow the same Hague / embassy legalization split as other state documents. For non-Hague destinations, the document goes through state certification, then U.S. Department of State authentication, then the destination country's consulate. We manage the appropriate path.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a state criminal record, an FBI background check, or both?: Many foreign countries require both. The state record covers crimes in your state of residence; the FBI check covers federal and multi-state records. We help you determine what your destination requires.
How long does it take?: State criminal history processing times vary by state agency and current volume, plus the Secretary of State apostille time. We give you a combined estimate when you order.
What if I have lived in multiple states?: Some countries require a criminal record from every state where you have lived for an extended period. We advise on how many states your destination typically requires and coordinate ordering from each.
What if I have a record? Does that prevent apostille?: An apostille authenticates the document regardless of its contents. Whether an existing criminal record affects your visa or residency application is a decision made by the foreign authority, not by the apostille process.

This page explains a general process and is not legal advice. Requirements vary by issuing authority and destination country; we confirm the specifics for your order. Verified 2026-06-20.