To get an FBI Identity History Summary apostilled while you are in New Delhi, you must understand that neither the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) nor the US Embassy in Chanakyapuri can apostille a US government document. Because the FBI background check is a US federal document, it can only be apostilled within the United States by the US Department of State's Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. You can complete this entire process from New Delhi by using local fingerprinting and apostille coordination services.
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.
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.
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.
The requirement of an apostilled FBI background check applies to anyone who has lived in the USA 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:
If you are an American living in the NCR and are planning to move or apply for specific permits, you will need this for:
Indian Nationals (Former US Residents)
This is the largest group in Delhi. If you lived in the USA for more than six months (for studies or work) and have now returned to India, you need an FBI Apostille 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 police clearance is a federal document issued by the United States government, it must be authenticated by the US Department of State’s Office of Authentications (USDOS) in Washington, D.C only.
So, if you try searching "apostille attestation near me" for your FBI background check, you will not be able to get any help.
The list of documents changes slightly depending on where you are in the process. Some Delhi applicants already have their FBI report in hand. Others are starting from zero.
If You Don't Have Your FBI Background Check Yet
You first need the actual FBI Identity History Summary. To get one, you will need:
If You Already Have Your FBI Background Check
In this case, you are one step closer. For the apostille stage, you will need:
Supporting Documents Delhi Applicants Often Need
Beyond the core paperwork, a few extra documents tend to come up for applicants based in Delhi, especially if you are using an agent or sending the package through someone else
| Document | When You Need It |
| Passport copy | For identity checks with fingerprinting agencies or courier services |
| Power of Attorney or authorization letter | If a Delhi based agent or a contact abroad is submitting on your behalf |
| Destination country requirement proof | Visa checklist, embassy letter, or employer request confirming what kind of apostille you need |
This covers everything from getting your FBI background check for the first time, right up to submitting it for apostille from Delhi and receiving it back.
Step 1: Get Fingerprinted in New Delhi
You can get your fingerprints taken at a local police station, a notary, or a private fingerprinting service in Delhi, Noida, or Gurugram. Ask the provider to take your prints on FBI-compliant cards, FD-258 or FD-1164.
Check Planning Fingerprinting in Delhi NCR? Read This First
Step 2: Submit Your Application to the FBI
Once your fingerprints are ready, fill out the FBI's Identity History Summary Request Form and attach your completed fingerprint card to it. You will also need to include the processing fee, paid in the required format. Mail this full package to the FBI's CJIS Division in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Step 3: Receive Your FBI Identity History Summary
Once your report is ready, it will either be mailed to your Delhi address or sent electronically, depending on the option you chose. Make sure to request the original hard copy with the signature and seal, since this is what you will need for the apostille step later.
Step 4: Send the Report to the US Department of State for Apostille
You will need to fill out Form DS-4194. Attach your original FBI background check along with the apostille fee, and mail the package to the Office of Authentications in Sterling, Virginia.
Step 5: Receive the Apostilled Document Back in Delhi
Once the State Department completes processing, the apostilled report is sent back through secure international courier to your address in Delhi. Once the document arrives, take a moment to check that the apostille certificate is attached correctly before you use it for your application.
You have three main options to submit your application for an FBI apostille from Delhi:
Option 1: Mail Directly to the US Department of State
You prepare your full package yourself, including the original FBI report, the completed DS-4194 form, and the apostille fee, and courier everything directly to the Office of Authentications in Virginia. The State Department then processes it and mails the apostilled document back to your Delhi address.
The current processing time for this method is 5+ weeks, and many applicants have reported waits stretching to 8 to 10 weeks. On top of this, you need to add international courier time on both sides, since your package has to travel from Delhi to Virginia and back.
USDOS Mailing Address:U.S. Department of State
Office of Authentications44132 Mercure Cir.PO Box 1206Sterling, VA 20166-1206Option 2: Ask a US-Based Contact to Hand-Deliver
If you have a parent, friend, relative, or any trusted connection in the United States, this can be a faster option. You prepare your application package in Delhi and courier it to your contact, who then hand delivers it directly to the authentications office. This route can bring the processing time down to about 2 to 3 weeks.
USDOS Physical Address:
Office of Authentications600 19th Street NWWashington, DC 20006Option 3: Use an Apostille Service in Delhi
This is usually the best option for most applicants, especially if you want a smooth, hands off experience. Several private providers offer complete apostille services in Delhi for exactly this purpose.
Some consultants based in Delhi, Gurugram, or Noida might also manage the entire chain for you. This includes:
Standard (Mail-In) Processing: Roughly 6 to 8 weeks from when the State Department receives the package, plus international mailing time to and from Delhi.
In Person Drop Offs: Bring this down to around 2 to 3 weeks.
Expedited Processing: Around 7 to 10 business days when routed through an apostille service.
Emergency Processing: Same day service exists only for documented life or death situations with prior approval. Visa deadlines alone do not qualify.
Add-On Time for Delhi Applicants
Realistic Total Timeline
Once you add everything together, from fingerprinting to the final delivery in Delhi, the total timeline can vary quite a bit depending on the route you choose.
| Scenario | Rough Total Time |
| Fastest case: Mail to the FBI plus expedited apostille service. | About 3 to 4 weeks |
| Slowest case: Mail to the FBI, then direct mail to USDOS. | 3 months or more |
The total cost of this process is made up of several smaller payments across different stages:
| Step | Average Cost | Currency |
| Fingerprinting in Delhi | ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 | INR |
| FBI Background Check Application (Identity History Summary) | $18 flat fee | USD |
| US Department of State Apostille Fee | $20 per document | USD |
| Courier from Delhi to the US | ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 | INR |
| Return Courier from the US to Delhi | ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 | INR |
| Apostille Expediting Service | $150 to $350 | USD |
Attempting to Apostille at the Wrong Agency: As already established, many applicants waste days visiting the US Embassy in Chanakyapuri or the MEA at Patiala House. Neither can help you. The FBI report must be sent to the US Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Sending Photocopies Instead of Originals: If you received your FBI results via email as a secure PDF link, you must not print it out and then send it to a service provider. You have to provide the original digital PDF file downloaded directly from the FBI.
Notarizing Your FBI Background Check Report: Some applicants assume a notary stamp adds credibility to the document, so they get it notarized before sending it in. But the US Department of State only accepts the FBI check in its original, unaltered form. And adding a notarization on top of it is one of the most common reasons applications get rejected or sent back for correction.
Forgetting About Translations: If you are submitting your report to a non-English speaking country (like Spain, Mexico, or France), the receiving office in that country will almost certainly require a translation. It’s better to check your destination country’s requirements early in the process.
Using an Expired Background Check: Most foreign countries require the FBI report to be recent, usually issued within the last 90 days. If your report is older, the US Department of State may refuse to apostille it, or the country where you are submitting it will reject it. Always use a recently issued FBI background check and try not to miscalculate the timeline of the entire process.
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. We provide fingerprinting, FBI background check support, apostille coordination, and translation services under one platform. 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:
100% Remote Process
You can complete the entire process without leaving your house. From choosing the services you need to booking your appointment or submitting your application, everything is done online, and it takes just two minutes to get started.
Doorstep Fingerprinting in Delhi
We offer convenient mobile fingerprinting services across Delhi, so you never have to travel to get your prints taken. Our team covers major areas including Connaught Place, Dwarka, Rohini, South Delhi, Gurugram, and Noida.
Submission to the FBI
Once your fingerprints are ready, we take care of submitting them to the FBI on your behalf. Your fingerprint cards are couriered to Globeia Inc. in the USA, which processes and submits them to the FBI for you.
US Office Located Next Door to the US Department of State
Our US office is located just a few blocks away from the Department of State's Office of Authentications. This means we can handle the physical drop off of your documents as part of the same workflow, or as a standalone service if that is all you need.
Expedited FBI Apostille Service
We offer expedited apostille services right from Delhi. With this option, processing time cuts down to just 10 days, saving you weeks compared to the standard mail-in route.
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 stress that comes with it.
