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FBI Background Check Apostille for China

The FBI's nationwide criminal history record — often called an FBI background check — is the background check most widely accepted by employers in China. We handle the U.S. Department of State apostille once you have your report.

1. Get Your FBI Report 2. Apostille & Fees 3. Submit

Employment in China generally requires proof of no criminal record. Chinese local authorities may or may not accept a county- or state-level background check, but the FBI's nationwide Identity History Summary — commonly called an FBI background check — is widely accepted. Before it can be used in China, the FBI report must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. As of November 7, 2023, Chinese Embassy authentication of this document is no longer required.

FBI report turnaround
3–5 business days after fingerprints are received
Notarization
Not required — it's a federal document
Regular apostille
$169 per document, 4–8 weeks
Express apostille
$249 per document, 2–3 weeks*

*Fees include both the U.S. Department of State fee and the VisaRite service fee. If express isn't completed within 3 weeks of receipt, the fee difference is refundable.

1

Obtain your FBI background check

Getting your FBI Identity History Summary is straightforward — here's the process:

1. Complete the applicant information form

Start at the FBI's Identity History Summary Checks page and complete the applicant information form.

2. Submit your fingerprints

Submit your fingerprints electronically at a participating U.S. Post Office location, or mail a completed fingerprint card along with a copy of your confirmation email to the FBI's address in West Virginia. You can also use an FBI-approved channeler if they're able to accept your fingerprints electronically.

Already in China?

Check the U.S. Embassy's website for a list of local fingerprinting service providers near you.

Once the FBI receives your fingerprints, generating the report typically takes just 3–5 business days. If you choose the digital option, you can download the finished report as a PDF as soon as it's ready.
2

We obtain your Apostille from the U.S. Department of State

Because it's a federal document, your FBI background check does not need to be notarized — it goes straight to the U.S. Department of State for apostille.

Service level Processing time Fee
Regular Processing 4–8 weeks $169.00 per document
Express Processing* 2–3 weeks $249.00 per document

*Fees include both the U.S. Department of State fee and the VisaRite service fee. Express processing is subject to availability; if it isn't completed within 3 weeks of receipt, the fee difference is refundable. Processing time is approximate and for reference only.

Payment & shipping notes
  • Pay by credit card or Zelle. Credit card payments carry a 3.6% surcharge — pay by Zelle to service@visarite.net to avoid it.
  • Return addresses in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or Canada require an additional extended delivery area fee of $20.00 per order.
  • Shipping to other international addresses is possible, but requires additional fee and time — email us for details.
  • Your apostilled FBI background check will be returned to you by FedEx.

Complete your Service Request and email us your application

  1. Submit the Service Request Form online with your service level and return address.
  2. Include your email and phone number so we can send confirmation and status updates.
  3. Email service@visarite.net the original FBI background check downloaded from the FBI website in PDF format (it must bear the Department of Justice watermark), your Service Request confirmation page, and your payment confirmation.
  4. We'll pre-check everything before submitting for apostille.

Questions along the way? Email service@visarite.net or call (201) 445-7088.

Start a Service Request