Pennsylvania & FBI Background Check Apostille Services
Need a criminal background check for a visa, overseas job, residency application, adoption, or another international purpose? The first step is determining whether you've been asked for a Pennsylvania criminal history check, an FBI background check, or both. We help you understand the correct document process and provide apostille and fingerprinting services to get your documents ready for use abroad.
Serving Philadelphia, surrounding Pennsylvania communities, and clients preparing U.S. documents for international use.
Do You Need a Pennsylvania or FBI Background Check?
These two documents are not interchangeable, and they follow completely different apostille processes. A Pennsylvania criminal background check is a state document. An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document. Sending either one to the wrong office means delays and rejections — so confirm exactly which document the requesting authority in the destination country requires before you order anything.
Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check
A Pennsylvania criminal history check searches Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history records. It may be requested for certain:
- Visa applications
- International employment
- Residency or immigration processes
- Adoption matters
- Other overseas administrative requirements
Pennsylvania criminal-record checks intended for a Pennsylvania apostille or authentication have specific document requirements and follow the Pennsylvania Department of State process.
- 1PA Background Check
- 2Required Document Preparation
- 3Pennsylvania Department of State
- 4Apostille
- 5Ready for International Use
FBI Identity History Summary
An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal background check rather than a Pennsylvania state criminal-history check. It may be requested when a foreign authority wants a nationwide U.S. criminal background check — common for residency visas, work permits, and adoption.
Because the FBI report is a federal document, it does not follow the Pennsylvania apostille process. Federal documents requiring an apostille are processed through the appropriate federal authentication process, including the U.S. Department of State.
- 1Fingerprints
- 2FBI Background Check
- 3Federal Apostille Process
- 4Ready for International Use
PA vs. FBI Background Check: What's the Difference?
| Pennsylvania Background Check | FBI Background Check | |
|---|---|---|
| Records searched | Pennsylvania | Federal / nationwide FBI records |
| Issuing authority | Pennsylvania State Police | Federal Bureau of Investigation |
| Document type | State document | Federal document |
| Apostille authority | Pennsylvania Department of State | U.S. Department of State |
| Fingerprints required | Typically no | Yes — FD-258 fingerprint cards or electronic submission |
| Commonly requested for | Certain visas, employment, residency, adoption | Nationwide criminal check for foreign residency, work permits, adoption |
Some destinations ask for both documents. Always confirm the exact requirement — including how recent the check must be — with the requesting authority before ordering.
FBI Fingerprinting in Philadelphia (FD-258)
An FBI background check starts with fingerprints. We provide FD-258 fingerprinting in Philadelphia — the standard ink fingerprint card accepted for FBI Identity History Summary requests — at our office or through a mobile appointment.
- FD-258 ink fingerprint cards for FBI background check requests
- Mobile fingerprinting appointments across Philadelphia and nearby communities
- Guidance on ordering your FBI report through an approved channeler for faster results
- One point of contact from fingerprinting through the finished apostille
How Our Apostille Service Helps
Whether your destination needs a Pennsylvania background check apostille, an FBI apostille, or both, we manage the process so your documents are prepared correctly the first time:
- Review your document and the destination country's stated requirements
- Confirm the correct apostille route — Pennsylvania or federal
- FD-258 fingerprinting when an FBI check is needed
- Document preparation and submission coordination
- Status communication throughout the process
- Return coordination once the apostille is complete
Confirm the Requirement Before You Order
Background-check requirements vary by country, visa type, and requesting authority, and they change over time. We do not provide legal advice, and we cannot guarantee which document a foreign government, consulate, employer, or agency will require. Before ordering a background check or an apostille, confirm the exact requirement — document type, recency, translation, and number of copies — with the authority requesting it. Then we'll handle the fingerprinting, preparation, and apostille process from there.
Background Check Apostille — FAQ
Related resources
Get Your Background Check Ready for International Use
Call, text, or send a quote request. We'll review your situation, confirm the correct apostille route, and handle the process from fingerprinting through return delivery.