Thursday Orders
An order placed Thursday afternoon is scheduled for drop-off the following Monday. Monday becomes Day 1 of federal processing.
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Maryland · DC · All 50 States · International Services Available
Federal Apostille Services
FBI Apostille · Fingerprint Cards · Federal Records · Non-Hague Authentication · Embassy Legalization
Maryland Mobile Notary Express helps with courier runs and document preparation for federal apostille and authentication through the U.S. Department of State. Federal service is for documents issued by a U.S. federal agency, including FBI background checks, FBI fingerprinting support where applicable, Social Security letters, federal records, and VA benefit letters. Mail-in service is available across all 50 states, with international return delivery available.
$200 flat service price for an FBI background check apostille. International shipping, certified translation, and embassy legalization are separate when required. Federal processing times can change.
Deadline-Focused Federal Apostille Support
When Your Deadline Cannot Wait, Start Your FBI Apostille Now
Visa, international employment, citizenship, study abroad, and relocation deadlines can move quickly. Send your FBI background check PDF through WhatsApp for review so the correct federal apostille process can begin without unnecessary mailing delays or guesswork.
$200 Flat FBI Apostille ServiceWashington, DC Hand-DeliveryAll 50 StatesInternational Return Available
Start My FBI Apostille — $200 Flat →
11Business Days
Federal ProcessingCurrent processing time after federal submission. Return shipping and additional legalization time are separate.
Federal ProcessingCurrent processing time after federal submission. Return shipping and additional legalization time are separate.
Plan Your Timeline
How the 11-Business-Day Federal Timeline Is Counted
The processing clock begins when the documents are submitted to the U.S. Department of State—not when the online order is placed.
Federal Holidays
Weekends do not count as business days. Each federal holiday within the processing window adds an additional business day.
Seasonal Volume
Summer and early fall—when international relocations and academic enrollments often peak—may add days to U.S. Department of State processing.
Federal Documents
U.S. Department of State — Federal Apostille & Authentication
Federal apostille services are for documents issued by a U.S. federal agency. DC-issued documents and Maryland state documents use different apostille offices.
FBI Background Checks & Fingerprint Cards
FBI identity history summaries, background checks, and fingerprint card mail-in support where applicable for international use.
Federal Records
Documents issued by federal agencies that need U.S. Department of State certification.
Non-Hague Authentication
Authentication for countries that may require embassy or consular legalization after the federal step.
Social Security Letters
Social Security Administration letters and other federal benefit letters for foreign use.
VA (Veterans Affairs Benefit Letter)
VA benefit verification letters and other qualifying Veterans Affairs documents.
VA Benefits Letter Signature Required
VA Benefits Letters must be signed. The letter must include the signature, name, and title of the VA official on the letter.
Authentications will not process without the proper signature.
For help with VA letters, call the MyVA411 main information line at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).
VA records website: https://www.va.gov/records/
Not sure whether your document is federal?
Send a clear photo or PDF before ordering. We can help confirm whether your document belongs with the U.S. Department of State, a state apostille office, or the DC apostille office.
International Use
Hague vs. Non-Hague Countries
If your destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is usually the correct certification. If the country is not a Hague member, your document may need U.S. Department of State authentication followed by embassy or consular legalization.
We help identify which process applies
Before you submit anything, contact us. We review the document type and destination country to determine the correct path — apostille, authentication, or both.
Non-Hague country examples
Non-Hague countries may include Vietnam, Cuba, and other countries where documents may require federal authentication followed by embassy or consular legalization. Not sure which process applies? We can verify the destination country and guide you through the correct steps before you submit your documents.
The Process
How Federal Apostille & Authentication Works
From the free document review through U.S. Department of State processing and secure return delivery, we coordinate each step and explain whether embassy legalization is also required.
Choose Your Level of Help
Mail It Yourself or Choose Full-Service Federal Apostille Support
Both options use the U.S. Department of State. The difference is how much of the document review, preparation, submission, and follow-up you want to manage yourself.
| What to Compare | Do It Yourself | Maryland Mobile Notary Express |
|---|---|---|
| Document review | You confirm the document and destination requirements. | I review the document before submission and help identify the correct process. |
| Submission preparation | You prepare the forms, payment, and mailing package. | I prepare the federal submission details and coordinate delivery to the correct office. |
| Travel or mailing | You arrange and track the submission yourself. | WhatsApp the FBI PDF for review or mail in an eligible physical fingerprint card. |
| Status and return | You monitor the order and arrange return delivery. | I communicate updates and coordinate secure domestic or international return delivery. |
| Price | Government, mailing, and related costs vary. | $200 flat FBI apostille service price. Optional services and shipping are separate. |
Washington, DC Courier Service
We Hand-Deliver Your Federal Apostille Documents in Washington, DC
When Maryland Mobile Notary Express handles your order, we physically hand-deliver your documents to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, DC, and pick them up in person when processing is complete. You can send your FBI background check PDF through WhatsApp or mail an eligible physical fingerprint card, so you do not have to travel to DC yourself. The current quoted processing time is 11 business days after federal submission.
WhatsApp Your Document for Review →Real Washington, DC Service
Inside the Federal Apostille and Authentication Process
These are real photos from the U.S. Department of State authentication office and a completed federal apostille handled in Washington, DC.
Why Use a Courier Service
Federal Apostille Services — Skip the Trip.
Embassy Legalization
For non-Hague countries that require embassy or consular legalization after authentication — available by request.
No DC Trip Required
You can WhatsApp me the PDF for review. If you have a physical fingerprint card for federal apostille, you also have the option to mail it in instead of traveling to Washington, DC.
Correct Office, First Time
We identify whether your document goes through the federal process before submission.
Bilingual Support
English and Spanish assistance available throughout the process.
Combined Services
Need notarization or certified translation too? We handle multiple steps together.
Certified Translation Guidance
Do You Need a Translation Before or After the Apostille?
Translation requirements depend on the destination country and the reason you are using the document — such as a visa, citizenship, residency, work permit, school enrollment, marriage, or another official process.
We review the use and country before recommending the next step
Some countries require the original document to be apostilled first and then translated. Other countries may require the certified translation itself to be notarized and apostilled. We can help coordinate apostille services with certified translation when needed.
Learn About Certified TranslationsAvoid Preventable Delays
Common Federal Apostille Mistakes
A quick review before submission can prevent the most common federal apostille problems.
Sending It to the Wrong Office
FBI background checks and federal agency documents do not go through the Maryland Secretary of State.
Not Confirming the Destination Country
The receiving country determines whether you need an apostille, federal authentication, or additional embassy legalization.
Using an Incomplete Federal Letter
Some federal letters, including VA benefit letters, must contain the appropriate official signature, name, and title.
Starting Too Late
Many consulates and embassies require a recently dated FBI background check or apostille. If the receiving authority’s freshness window passes before the process is complete, you may need to obtain a new background check and restart.
Mailing Before the Document Is Reviewed
Send the PDF or a clear photo through WhatsApp first so I can help confirm the correct path before you spend money mailing it.
Federal Apostille FAQ
Questions About FBI Background Check Apostilles
Clear answers before you order or mail your documents.
How much is an FBI background check apostille?
The FBI apostille service price is a flat $200. International shipping, certified translation, or embassy legalization is quoted separately when needed.
How long does a federal FBI apostille take?
The current federal processing time is 11 business days after submission to the federal office. Shipping time and any embassy or consular legalization are additional, and federal processing times can change.
Can I WhatsApp the PDF of my FBI background check?
Yes. Send the PDF through WhatsApp for review. I will confirm whether it is ready for the federal apostille process and explain the next step.
Can I mail in a physical fingerprint card?
Mail-in fingerprint card service is available where applicable. Send a clear photo first so I can review what you have before you mail the original.
Do I need to travel to Washington, DC?
No. You can send the FBI PDF through WhatsApp or mail an eligible physical document. I coordinate the federal submission so you do not have to make the DC trip.
Do you serve clients outside Maryland?
Yes. Mail-in federal apostille service is available in all 50 states, and completed documents can be returned domestically or internationally.
Do you handle non-Hague countries?
Yes. Non-Hague documents may require federal authentication followed by embassy or consular legalization. I can review the destination country and explain which steps apply.
Do you handle Maryland or DC-issued documents?
Yes, but those documents use different apostille offices. Send a photo or PDF first and I will help identify whether the document is federal, Maryland-issued, or DC-issued.
Maryland Mobile Notary Express is a private apostille courier service and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any government agency. Government processing times are controlled by the issuing office and may change because of federal holidays, seasonal volume, or agency operations.
Need Federal Apostille Services?
Contact Maryland Mobile Notary Express for FBI apostilles, fingerprint card mail-in service where applicable, Social Security letters, federal records, VA benefit letters, and non-Hague authentication support across all 50 states and internationally.