What is an apostille and why would I need one in Indiana?

An apostille is a certificate from the Indiana Secretary of State that makes your documents valid for international use, often required for birth certificates, marriage records, or powers of attorney.

Can I get an Indiana apostille the same day?

Yes — I hand-deliver documents in Indianapolis and provide same-day apostille service, saving you weeks of waiting by mail.

Which documents can be apostilled in Indiana?

Birth, marriage, and death certificates, divorce decrees, powers of attorney, school records, adoption papers, and business documents can all be apostilled.

Can my document be in Spanish or another language?

Yes, the document can be in any language, but the notarial certificate must be in English under Indiana law.

Do I need to notarize my document before getting an apostille?

Some official records don’t need notarization, but others like a power of attorney or diploma must be notarized first by an Indiana notary.

How much does it cost to get an apostille in Indiana?

The Indiana Secretary of State charges $2 per apostille, plus my service fee for notarization (if needed), same-day delivery, and return.

How long does it take to get an apostille in Indiana?

By mail it can take 2–3 weeks, but with my service, you can have your apostille completed the same day.

Can you help if I live outside Indiana but need an Indiana apostille?

Yes — you can ship documents to me, and I’ll hand-deliver them for apostille and return them securely with priority shipping.

What’s the difference between an Indiana apostille and a federal apostille?

Indiana apostilles are for state-issued or Indiana-notarized documents, while federal apostilles come from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents like FBI background checks.

Can I apostille a copy of my document, or does it have to be the original?

Vital records and court documents must be certified originals, but some other documents may use a notarized copy certification.

Do I need a translation for my apostilled document?

The Indiana Secretary of State will apostille the document as-is, but some countries may also require a certified translation.

How do I get an Indiana birth certificate apostilled?

Request a certified copy from the Indiana Department of Health or your county health department, then I can take it for same-day apostille.

Can a Power of Attorney (POA) be apostilled in Indiana?

Yes — as long as it’s notarized correctly by an Indiana notary with an English notarial certificate, it can be apostilled the same day.

FBI Background Check Apostille Service | Nationwide

A Faster Starting Point

Electronic FBI Fingerprinting Is Available at Participating Post Offices Nationwide

The FBI allows applicants to begin an Identity History Summary request online and submit fingerprints electronically at participating United States Post Office locations.

The FBI currently states that online requests using electronic fingerprints at participating Post Offices are generally processed within 48 hours after the fingerprint visit. Individual processing and delivery times can vary.

A real client experience: One recent Signature Move client used a participating Indianapolis Post Office and received his FBI results by email the same day. This was his individual experience and does not guarantee same-day results for every applicant.

The Complete Process

Five Steps From Fingerprints to Federal Apostille

1

Start Online

Begin the request through the FBI’s official electronic Identity History Summary portal.

2

Pay the FBI Fee

Complete the FBI application and payment before visiting a participating Post Office.

3

Submit Fingerprints

Visit a participating U.S. Post Office that offers electronic fingerprint submission.

4

Receive the Report

The FBI sends the applicant’s Identity History Summary results electronically when processing is complete.

5

Request the Apostille

Forward the FBI-issued PDF to Signature Move for review and nationwide federal apostille assistance.

Reviewing an FBI background check and federal apostille documents

Before Visiting USPS

Complete the FBI Application First

Do not visit a Post Office expecting to begin the entire process at the counter. The FBI instructs applicants to complete the electronic application and payment before visiting a participating USPS fingerprinting location.

Complete the FBI electronic request.
Pay the required FBI fee.
Save the confirmation or enrollment information.
Locate a participating U.S. Post Office.
Bring the identification required for the appointment.
Follow the instructions provided by the FBI and USPS.

Start the FBI Online Request

Know the Difference

The FBI Background Check and Federal Apostille Are Separate Services

The FBI issues the Identity History Summary. The U.S. Department of State handles the federal apostille or authentication required for international use.

FBI

Processes the applicant’s fingerprints and issues the official Identity History Summary.

U.S. Department of State

Issues the federal apostille or authentication certificate for qualifying FBI documents used internationally.

Signature Move

Reviews the document and coordinates federal processing, tracking, return delivery and available translation services.

You Do Not Have to Live in Indiana

Federal Apostille Assistance Is Available Nationwide

Signature Move Notary Services is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, but federal apostille clients do not need to live in Indianapolis or visit the office.

After receiving the FBI report, clients can forward the original, unaltered FBI-issued PDF for review. Documents can be coordinated remotely and returned to clients throughout the United States or shipped internationally when requested.

Nationwide service includes: document review, federal apostille preparation, processing coordination, tracking, return shipping and available certified translation coordination.

Protect the Official Document

What Should You Send to Signature Move?

When the FBI emails your results, forward the original FBI email with the original PDF attached. Do not edit the report, rewrite information, add a signature or convert it into another document.

Do not notarize the FBI background check.

An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document. The U.S. Department of State advises applicants not to notarize the original federal document. Notarizing or altering it may make it unacceptable for federal processing.

Forward the original FBI-issued PDF.
Provide the country where the document will be used.
Provide your deadline and travel date, if applicable.
Tell us whether a translation is required.
Provide the final domestic or international delivery address.

Fingerprinting Options

Electronic USPS Fingerprinting vs. Ink Fingerprint Cards

Electronic USPS Submission

This option may be used after completing the FBI’s online Identity History Summary application. Participating Post Offices transmit fingerprints electronically to the FBI.

Not every Post Office offers this service. Applicants must locate a participating location and complete the FBI application before the fingerprint visit.

Review the official FBI instructions →

Professional Ink Fingerprinting

Physical fingerprint cards are still required by many employers, licensing agencies, international authorities and requesting organizations.

Signature Move provides professional ink fingerprinting on FD-258 and qualifying fingerprint cards in the Indianapolis area, with mobile appointments available.

Learn about ink fingerprinting →

International Document Use

Do You Need an Apostille or Authentication?

The answer depends on the country where the FBI background check will be used.

Hague Convention countries generally require a federal apostille.
Non-Hague countries generally require a federal authentication certificate and may require embassy or consular legalization.
The foreign receiving authority determines the final document requirements.

Signature Move reviews the destination country and document before confirming the recommended service.

Worldwide destinations for an FBI background check and federal apostille

Nationwide Professional Coordination

How Signature Move Helps

Document Review

We review the FBI report, destination country and intended use before preparing the submission.

Federal Processing

Qualifying documents are prepared and coordinated for processing through the U.S. Department of State.

Return Delivery

Available services include tracking, domestic return shipping, international delivery and translation coordination.

Frequently Asked Questions

FBI Background Check and Federal Apostille FAQs

How quickly will I receive my FBI background check?

The FBI currently states that online requests using electronic fingerprints at a participating U.S. Post Office are generally processed within 48 hours after the fingerprint visit. Individual processing times can vary, so same-day results are not guaranteed.

Can I visit any U.S. Post Office for electronic fingerprinting?

No. You must use a participating Post Office location offering electronic fingerprint submission for FBI Identity History Summary requests. Complete the FBI application and payment before visiting the Post Office.

Do I need to live in Indianapolis to use Signature Move?

No. Signature Move is based in Indianapolis but provides federal apostille assistance to clients throughout the United States. Most of the process can be coordinated remotely.

Can Signature Move request the FBI report for me?

The applicant must complete the FBI request using their personal information and submit their fingerprints. Signature Move can provide guidance and assist with federal apostille processing after the FBI issues the report.

Can I email my FBI background check to Signature Move?

Yes. Forward the original FBI email with the original, unaltered PDF attached for document review. Acceptance for federal processing will be confirmed after the report is reviewed.

Should my FBI background check be notarized?

No. An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document. Do not notarize or alter the original FBI report before federal apostille or authentication processing.

Do I need a translation?

Translation requirements depend on the destination country and receiving authority. Signature Move can coordinate certified translation services when required.

How long does the federal apostille process take?

Signature Move’s estimated federal processing timeframe is generally 10–14 business days after an acceptable document is received. Government processing, document issues, holidays and shipping can affect the final timeline.

How much does federal apostille service cost?

Federal apostille service starts at $275 for the first qualifying document. Translation, international shipping and other additional services are priced separately.

Nationwide Federal Apostille Assistance

Have You Received Your FBI Background Check?

Send the original FBI-issued PDF to Signature Move Notary Services for review. We will confirm the document, destination country, estimated timeframe and total cost before processing begins.

Request Document Review View Federal Apostille Services

This article provides general educational information and does not guarantee acceptance by a foreign government, embassy, consulate or receiving organization. Government procedures and processing times may change. The receiving authority makes the final decision regarding document acceptance.

How to Get an FBI Background Check and Federal Apostille