Securing a visa to live, work, or teach abroad is an exciting milestone. However, foreign governments require strict proof of your criminal history (or lack thereof). For U.S. citizens, this means obtaining an FBI Identity History Summary (often called an FBI Background Check).
The Clock is Ticking The biggest hurdle expats and international workers face is the timeline. Visas have strict processing windows, and FBI background checks can take weeks if not submitted correctly.
Steps for a Seamless FBI Background Check
Get Properly Fingerprinted: The FBI requires pristine fingerprints, typically on standard FD-258 cards. Smudged or incorrectly rolled prints are the number one cause of delays.
Submit Through an Approved Channel: Submitting your cards correctly ensures the FBI processes your background check as quickly as possible.
The Critical Final Step (The Apostille): An FBI Background check is practically useless to a foreign government unless it has a federal Apostille attached to it. Because it is a federal document, it must be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., not your local state office.
Bundle and Save Time
The smartest way to handle this process is to use a single concierge service. Good 2 Go Mobile Notary Plus can dispatch a technician to your home to roll your fingerprints, guide you on the FBI submission, and immediately take over the complex Federal Apostille process once your results arrive.
The Bottom Line
Don't let a rejected fingerprint card or a delayed Apostille derail your international plans. Trust a professional service to handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on packing your bags.