Delhi is India's embassy capital, which means apostilled documents here are frequently submitted in person at foreign embassies rather than mailed abroad. That changes the urgency, the format requirements, and the questions people ask.
The requirement itself is straightforward: if you have lived in the United States and are applying to a Hague Convention country, you need an FBI background check that is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. This proves that your criminal record is verified and genuine. Clear, logical, and universal.
But for applicants in Delhi, the issue is rarely about understanding what needs to be done - it’s about how to get it done efficiently. You’re sitting here, and the actual FBI apostille process is happening thousands of miles away in Washington, D.C. There’s no office in Delhi to visit, no official to validate your documents before they leave India, and no easy way to fix things if something goes wrong.
In this blog, we have simplified the process for you. We'll walk you through everything you need to know about getting an FBI apostille in New Delhi, related timelines and costs, and mistakes to avoid - all with a clear understanding of what Delhi applicants specifically need to get right.
Many people assume an FBI apostille is only for Americans. That’s not true. It applies to anyone who has lived in the US and now needs to show a clean record to another country. There are some very common reasons seen among Delhi applicants needing an apostille for their background check. They have been explained below:
1.US Citizens and Expats Residing in Delhi: If you are an American living in the NCR and are planning to move or apply for specific permits, you will need this for:
2.Indian Nationals (Former US Residents): This is the largest group in Delhi. If you lived in the US for more than six months (for studies or work) and have now returned to India, you need an FBI Apostille for:
PR Applications - specifically for Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
Employment in Sensitive Sectors - if you are joining a high-security firm (like, a nuclear power project) in India that requires a global background check.3.PhD Students/Researchers: Applicants in Delhi applying for medical licenses or PhD programs in different countries need their FBI Identity History Summary apostilled to prove they had no criminal record during their exchange years in the USA.
4.Higher Studies Abroad: Delhi is one of the top cities in India for students going abroad. However, many students are surprised to learn they need an FBI Apostille for a visa to another country. The rule is simple: if you lived in the US for 6 months or more after the age of 18, almost all the academic paths to abroad will require an FBI Apostille.
5.Government Employees and Defence Personnel: Central government officers, IAS/IPS officials, and defence personnel who trained or worked in the US may need an apostilled FBI report for:
This requirement is more commonly seen in Delhi compared to other Indian cities.
No, they cannot issue an FBI Apostille in New Delhi. It is a common misconception among Delhi applicants that the US Embassy in Chanakyapuri or the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) can apostille an FBI background check, but neither office has the legal authority to do so. Because the FBI report is a federal document issued by the United States government, it must be authenticated by the US Department of State’s Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C only.
Option 1: Handle the apostille yourself
Once you have your FBI report, you have to courier the original document from New Delhi to the US Department of State's Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C., along with a completed Form DS-4194 and the applicable fee. After processing, the apostilled document will be couriered back to your Delhi address. You have to handle everything by yourself.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lower upfront cost | No pre-submission checks or verifications |
| No dependency on third parties | Longer processing time (typically 5-6+ weeks) |
| Risk of errors in documents | |
| No support in case of delays or issues | |
| Return shipping delays or loss risks | |
| No centralized tracking dashboard | |
| Unexpected charges due to multiple agency involvement |
Option 2: Use Specialized Apostille Services like Globeia (recommended)
With Globeia, the process is simplified for Delhi applicants. You just have to upload your existing FBI Identity History Summary directly through their portal and pay the required fee. The rest of everything will be handled by them. Their team will verify the document, and that all supporting paperwork including Form DS-4194 is completed correctly.
From there, Globeia's Washington D.C. office, being next door to the US Department of State, handles the drop-off directly. This cuts down both transit time and the risk of documents being lost or delayed in customs. Once the apostille is completed, your document is securely shipped back to your Delhi address with tracking.
| Pros | Cons |
| Faster turnaround time (10 days with expedited services) | Competitive pricing; might seem higher |
| No hidden charges | Less direct control over the process |
| End-to-end handling of the apostille process | |
| Reduced risk of errors or rejection | |
| No need to manage international courier | |
| Secure handling and delivery of documents | |
| Real-time tracking available |
Fingerprinting is the most important step for those who do not yet have their FBI background check for apostille. It is necessary to have it done properly, as the FBI is very strict regarding the quality of the prints.
In Delhi, one common method is handling the process yourself. You can visit a local police station or a fingerprinting centre and get your fingerprints taken using ink on the FD-258 or FD-1164 fingerprint card. Once completed, you have to courier these physical cards to the FBI yourself. But the problem with this approach is that most centres in India are only familiar with local biometric requirements, not the FBI’s specific standards. They have no way of confirming whether your fingerprints meet the required quality. And this can lead to rejections later in the process.
Another option is to use a professional service like Globeia. They provide mobile fingerprinting services in Delhi with doorstep appointments across Gurgaon, Noida, and the complete NCR region. Their team captures rolled ink fingerprints on FD-258/FD-1164 cards and ensures they meet the required FBI standards. Globeia is Delhi’s only service provider handling the process end-to-end - from taking fingerprints to submitting them to the FBI CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) Division through their U.S. office. The step-by-step process is given below:
If you speak to most applicants in Delhi, their biggest frustration is that the entire FBI Apostille process is scattered. One provider helps with the background check, another tells you to handle the apostille yourself. And suddenly you’re managing everything!
This isn’t the case with Globeia Delhi. It is India’s only full scope service provider, where everything is handled under one roof - from fingerprinting and FBI submission to the final apostille. That means you’re not chasing multiple vendors or trying to figure out what comes next. It’s all done through one platform, in a single, streamlined flow. This is how Globeia stands out:
There’s also a practical advantage behind the scenes. Globeia’s office is located right next to the US Department of State in Washington, DC - the authority that issues FBI apostilles. This proximity helps reduce unnecessary delays, giving better control over submissions and processing. Over time, this has built trust with more than 30,000 clients globally who have used Globeia for FBI apostille and document authentication for immigration, jobs, education, and residency.
Globeia has perfectly built its services around the most basic issues faced by applicants in New Delhi. A place where almost 90% of the population is already in a hurry, it has entered as the one-stop solution for anyone who needs their FBI apostille done correctly, quickly, and without the back-and-forth that comes with it. Delhi does not slow down for paperwork. Neither does Globeia.
