Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You're Wondering About
FBI Apostille
26 questions answered — process, documents, pricing, shipping, timing, and country-specific requirements.
Process
How does the apostille process work?
You courier your original FBI Identity History Summary to our US address. We notarize it and physically submit it to the US Department of State in Washington DC. After the apostille is issued (2–10 business days), we DHL the apostilled original back to your India address. You don't need to travel, visit any embassy, or handle any US paperwork.
Do I need to do anything in the US?
No. Our entire service is remote. You send the original document from India via DHL, we handle everything on the US end, and we DHL it back apostilled.
Do I need to notarize the document before sending it to you?
No. We handle notarization here in the US. Simply send us the original FBI PCC as received from the FBI — no prior notarization needed on your end.
What happens after I send the document?
We confirm receipt on WhatsApp, inspect the document, notarize it, submit to the US Dept of State, and send you a photo of the apostilled result. Then we DHL it back. You'll get tracking at every stage.
Can I track my document's progress?
Yes. We update you on WhatsApp at each milestone: (1) Document received, (2) Notarized, (3) Submitted to Dept of State, (4) Apostille attached (photo), (5) DHL tracking number sent. See our full timeline at /track-order.
Documents
Which documents can you apostille?
We specialize in the FBI Identity History Summary (FBI PCC) — a federal document apostilled by the US Dept of State. We can also assist with US Naturalization Certificates (also federal, apostilled by US Dept of State). For state-issued documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates), the apostille authority is the Secretary of State of the issuing state — different process, contact us to discuss.
Can I send a photocopy instead of the original?
No. The US Dept of State can only apostille original documents. Photocopies, scanned printouts, and PDF printouts cannot be apostilled. If you've lost the original, you'll need to request a new FBI Identity History Summary.
My FBI PCC is several years old. Can it still be apostilled?
An apostille can be applied to a document regardless of when it was issued. However, the receiving authority (VFS Global/OCI, IRCC, UAE employer, etc.) may have freshness requirements. VFS Global for OCI typically requires a PCC obtained within 12 months. We recommend getting a fresh PCC if possible.
What does the apostilled document look like?
The US Dept of State attaches a formal apostille certificate (usually one page) to your original document using a staple or ribbon. The certificate has the State Dept seal, signatures, and a unique apostille number. The original document remains intact — nothing is changed or overwritten on it.
Does my FBI PCC need to be in English?
The FBI Identity History Summary is issued in English by default. No translation is needed for an apostille from the US Dept of State.
Pricing
How much does it cost?
Standard (16 days total): $175. Rush (11 days): $225. Same Day / Urgent (8 days): $275. All prices include DHL return shipping to India. The US Dept of State charges $20/document — this is included in our fee. See full breakdown at /pricing.
What's included in the price?
Everything: notarization fee, US Dept of State apostille fee ($20/doc), our coordination and in-person DC drop-off fee, and DHL Express return shipping to your India address. The only thing not included is the DHL shipping you pay to send the document to us from India.
How do I pay?
We accept UPI, NEFT/IMPS, and international wire transfer. We'll send you a payment link or bank details via WhatsApp after confirming the order.
Are there hidden fees?
No. The price you see is the price you pay. No last-minute add-ons, no surprise courier charges, no currency conversion fees on our end.
Shipping & Courier
How do I send my document from India to the US?
Use DHL Express. It's trackable, fast (~3 business days), and reliable for document shipments. At the counter, declare it as 'Personal Documents'. WhatsApp us your tracking number as soon as it's shipped.
Is return shipping to India included?
Yes. DHL Express return shipping to your India address is included in the Veritas service fee. No separate payment needed.
How long does DHL take between India and the US?
DHL Express typically takes 2–3 business days each way between major Indian cities and the US East Coast. Total courier time (both legs) is ~6 business days.
What if my document gets lost in transit?
DHL Express shipments are fully tracked and insured. In the unlikely event of loss, DHL's insurance covers the shipment. On the return trip, we ship the apostilled original on a tracked DHL Express waybill — the tracking number is shared with you on WhatsApp so you can monitor it directly.
Timing
How long does the complete process take?
Total time (India to apostille to back in India): Standard = ~16 business days, Rush = ~11 business days, Same Day = ~8 business days. This includes both DHL courier legs (~3 days each) and the US Dept of State processing time.
What is 'Same Day' processing?
'Same Day' means we walk your document into the US Dept of State DC office on the same business day we receive it (if received before 2PM ET). The apostille is typically issued in 1–2 business days. This is the fastest tier and reduces the total timeline to ~8 business days.
What if I'm in a hurry?
Choose the Same Day tier ($275). If you need it even faster, message us on WhatsApp — we can sometimes accommodate urgent situations on a case-by-case basis.
How does Veritas process so much faster than mailing directly to the US government?
Because we hand-deliver to the US Dept of State's Washington DC office in person. Mail-in processing via their Sterling, VA facility takes 5+ weeks. In-person submission at the DC walk-in counter takes 2–10 business days. We also add same-day or next-day pickup at the DC office for Rush and Same Day tiers.
Countries & Use Cases
I need this for my OCI application. What exactly is required?
As of December 30, 2024, VFS Global requires a physical apostille on all foreign-issued documents for OCI applications — e-apostilles are explicitly not accepted. The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document apostilled by the US Dept of State (not any state Secretary of State). Veritas handles this. See /fbi-background-check-apostille-for-oci for the full guide.
I'm applying for Canada PR. Do I need an apostille on my FBI PCC?
For the IRCC PR application itself — no. IRCC accepts a colour scan of the original. However, your Canadian employer or provincial licensing body (if you're in a regulated profession) may require the apostilled original. See /fbi-background-check-apostille-for-canada-pr for the full breakdown.
I'm going to UAE for work. What's the process for getting my FBI PCC accepted?
UAE employment visa requires a 3-step chain: (1) US Dept of State apostille — Veritas handles this. (2) UAE Embassy / VFS Global attestation in Washington DC. (3) UAE MOFA digital verification in UAE (typically your employer's PRO). See /fbi-background-check-apostille-for-uae-employment for the full chain with costs and timelines.
Can I get a US birth certificate apostilled through Veritas?
US birth certificates are issued by the state (not federal), so they must be apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state — not the US Dept of State. This is a different process. Contact us on WhatsApp and we'll guide you on the right path based on the state.
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