How to Apostille an FDLE Background Check in Florida

Step 1: order the certified search, not the free one

FDLE offers two versions of the same background check: a non-certified search, available free online and meant for informational use only, and a certified search, which is the one that can be apostilled. It's a common mistake to order the free version because it looks faster, only to discover later that the Florida Department of State cannot apostille it. When ordering through FDLE's site, explicitly verify that you're selecting the certified option before paying and submitting the request.

Step 2: confirm you have the right document

Before sending anything for apostille, check that what you received is in fact the certified search: it should arrive with FDLE's original signature and seal, not as a plain printout or a screenshot. If you're not sure whether what you were sent is the certified or the non-certified version, confirm it directly with FDLE before moving forward, because sending the wrong version for apostille usually ends in the document being returned.

Step 3: send the certified original to the Florida Department of State

Because FDLE is a Florida state agency, its certified background check is apostilled by the same authority that apostilles other Florida state documents: the Florida Department of State. You must send the certified original, not a photocopy or a printed scan; a photocopy, even of a certified document, is not eligible for apostille. This is the same logic that applies to any U.S. document: the apostilling authority needs to be able to verify the original signature of the official who certified it, something it cannot do from a copy. We cover this principle in more detail in our guide on state vs. federal apostille.

Step 4: confirm translation and validity window with the receiving authority

Before ordering the background check, contact the authority that will receive it abroad — an employer, an embassy, a licensing board, or an immigration authority — and confirm two things: whether it requires a certified translation, and how recent the document must be. Many authorities only accept background checks issued within the last three to six months, though this varies by institution and there is no universal rule. Confirming this before you order the check avoids having to repeat the entire process if the document expires before you can submit it.

How long FDLE takes to issue the certified background check

Per FDLE's own site, processing a certified search generally takes about 6 to 7 business days. That timeframe can change, so it's worth confirming the current processing time directly on FDLE's site before committing to a deadline, especially if the process abroad has a tight timeline.

Apostille processing time is a separate step

Once you have the certified background check in hand, apostille processing time at the Florida Department of State is an independent step, with its own timeline, which can vary depending on the state's workload and the submission method you choose. Don't assume the apostille turnaround will be fixed or as fast as FDLE's issuance of the background check; confirm the current processing time directly with the state before planning around a travel date or delivery deadline.

Common mistakes when apostilling an FDLE background check

• Ordering the non-certified (free) search, thinking it's enough for apostille.
• Sending a photocopy or a printed scan instead of the certified original.
• Assuming apostille processing time is fixed or as fast as FDLE's issuance of the check.
• Not confirming with the receiving authority whether it requires a certified translation before apostilling.
• Not checking the maximum age the recipient will accept before ordering the background check.

If you're not sure whether your check is Florida's FDLE record or whether you actually need the federal FBI check, start with our guide on FDLE vs. FBI: which one do you need apostilled?, since sending the wrong document to the wrong authority is one of the costliest mistakes in this process, as we explain in this guide on the FDLE/FBI jurisdiction mistake.