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FBI Background Check Legalization for Arab Countries
Work visas, residency permits and professional licenses across the Arab world, from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Qatar and Kuwait, often require a legalized FBI background check. The FBI calls it an Identity History Summary. It is a federal document, so its route is short but strict. The Arab American Chamber of Commerce makes sure yours is the version that can be legalized and handles every step.
Only an FBI-issued summary can be legalized. Request it directly from the FBI and send it exactly as issued. Results from an FBI-approved channeler are generally not accepted for authentication. It goes straight to the U.S. Department of State, never to a notary or Secretary of State. Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain and Algeria (and Oman, for personal documents) accept the apostille. The others add embassy legalization.
What an FBI Background Check Is
An FBI Identity History Summary is the official record of a person’s federal arrest history, or a statement that none exists, based on their fingerprints. Arab immigration and licensing authorities use it as a police clearance certificate for people who have lived in the U.S. It covers federal records, unlike a local police check.
Work visa and residency
Required in many Gulf countries for employment and residence permits.
Most commonProfessional licensing
For doctors, nurses, teachers and engineers being licensed abroad.
LicensingFamily and long-term visas
Sometimes requested for dependants and long-term residence.
FamilyLocal police check
A city or state check is a different document with a different route.
Different routeChoose the Destination Country
Choose the country where you’ll submit the background check to start your order.
Country
U.S. steps
Final step
U.S. stepsOriginal → U.S. Department of State apostille
Final stepApostille (since July 9, 2026)
U.S. stepsOriginal → U.S. Department of State authentication
Final stepEgyptian Embassy or consulate
U.S. stepsOriginal → U.S. Department of State authentication
Final stepPalestinian legalization arranged by our team
U.S. stepsOriginal → U.S. Department of State apostille
Final stepApostille (since December 2022)
U.S. stepsOriginal → U.S. Department of State
Final stepUAE Embassy (through VFS Global), then MOFA in the UAE
Embassy fees for personal documents vary by country. We confirm the amount with your order.
How an FBI Background Check Is Legalized
- Request it from the FBIApply to the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division for your Identity History Summary, and ask for the version that can be apostilled. Don’t use a channeler if it needs legalization.
- Don’t change itDon’t sign, notarize, laminate, staple or translate the summary. Send it exactly as the FBI issued it.
- U.S. Department of StateWe submit it to the Office of Authentications. For Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, Algeria and Oman, the apostille completes the process.
- Embassy legalizationFor the other Arab countries, the embassy in Washington legalizes it. For the UAE, it goes through VFS Global, then MOFA.
- Use it while it’s recentReturned with tracking. Many authorities want a recent background check, so legalize it promptly.
Common mistakes: using channeler results, notarizing the summary, sending it to a Secretary of State, legalizing a local police check when the employer asked for the FBI check, or letting it get too old before submission.
Required Documents
What to send us
- The original FBI Identity History Summary, exactly as the FBI issued it.
- A copy of your passport, if the embassy asks for it with personal documents.
- Your online order for the destination country, paid online or through Pay Invoice.
- Return delivery: a prepaid courier label or USPS Priority Mail envelope, or buy one at checkout.
Who usually asks for it
- Employers sponsoring a Gulf work visa
- Health and education licensing boards
- Immigration and residency departments
- Professional engineering and legal bodies
Documents Often Needed With It
Processing Time and Fees
Apostille countries
| Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, Algeria | U.S. Department of State apostille |
| Notary or Secretary of State | Not needed |
| Embassy step | None |
Embassy countries
| U.S. Department of State | Authentication |
| Embassy fee | By country |
| Time | Call us for your country |
We count from the day your FBI summary arrives. Checkout shows our service fee and return shipping. There’s no notary or state step to pay for.
Why Choose the Arab American Chamber of Commerce?
Right version checkedWe confirm your summary was issued by the FBI and can be apostilled before you pay embassy fees.
Federal routeStraight to the U.S. Department of State.
Your whole moveBackground check, diploma and family records, legalized together.
Where to Send Your Background Check
Maryland office (fastest)
Arab Chamber of Commerce
1615 Bay Head Rd., Annapolis, MD 21409
(410) 349-1212
Washington, D.C. headquarters
1330 New Hampshire Ave. NW, B1, Washington, DC
(202) 347-5800
Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm ET
FBI Background Check Legalization: Common Questions
Can I use an FBI channeler for a background check that needs legalization?
Generally not. Channeler results are usually not eligible for U.S. Department of State authentication. Request the Identity History Summary directly from the FBI.
Does the FBI check need a notary or the Secretary of State?
No. It is a federal document. It goes straight to the U.S. Department of State for an apostille or authentication.
Which Arab countries accept an apostilled FBI check?
Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain and Algeria (since July 9, 2026), and Oman for personal documents. The other Arab countries require embassy legalization after the U.S. Department of State.
How old can the background check be?
Many employers and authorities want a recent check, often a few months old at most. Check their rule before you request it.
Is a state police check the same?
No. A state or local police check is a state record, which is certified by the Secretary of State. Use the one the authority asked for.
Moving to an Arab country for work?
Tell us the country and what your employer asked for. We’ll confirm the FBI check route and your other documents.
Case 1 Examples
Business documents
Federally Issued documents
Case 2 Examples
Commercial Document:
Case 3 Examples
Personal Document:
Mailing
If you are using FedEx or UPS, please include a self-addressed air waybill for the return of your document.
Alternatively, you may use a USPS Priority Mail envelope with prepaid postage and a tracking number.
If you do not have a FedEx or UPS account, you can purchase an air waybill through this site in the next step.
Arab American Chamber of Commerce Headquarter Office
1330 New Hampshire Ave. NW, B1Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 347-5800
1 888-939-ARAB
Arab Chamber of Commerce
1615 Bay Head Rd.Annapolis MD, 21409
(410) 349 - 1212
