How to Apostille a Washington State police / background check (2026 Guide)
To apostille a Washington state police / background check, obtain a certified or signed copy from your state police / bureau of investigation. Then submit it to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities for $15 per document. Mail processing takes about 5–10 business days; dropoff. For a non-Hague destination, you also need US Department of State authentication and embassy legalization.
| Government fee | $15 per document |
|---|---|
| Where to send it | Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities |
| Required copy | Obtain a certified or signed copy from your state police / bureau of investigation. |
| Mail time | 5–10 business days |
| Counter | dropoff |
| County pre-cert | Not required for this document |
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Step 1 — Get the right copy
Obtain a certified or signed copy from your state police / bureau of investigation. In Washington, washington vital records come from the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics.
Step 2 — Submit to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities
Include a signed cover sheet naming the destination country, payment payable to the authority above, and a prepaid return envelope. Confirm exact requirements on the official page linked in sources. Pay $15 per document by check or money order. Mail-based program; $100 expedite per ten-document block, in Olympia.
Step 3 — Check the destination country
If your document is going to a Hague Apostille Convention member, the apostille is the last step. If the destination is not a member, you continue to the U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications for authentication and then to that country's embassy for legalization. Confirm with theCountry Checker.
Common rejection reasons
- The receiving country actually required the FBI (federal) check instead
- The state agency's signature is not authenticable
Who typically needs this
Work visas that accept a state-level check.
Residency applications for some countries.
Frequently asked questions
＋How much does it cost to apostille a state police / background check in Washington?
The Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities charges $15 per document. You pay separately for the certified copy and your return envelope.
＋Can I apostille a photocopy of my state police / background check?
No. Washington apostilles the certified or properly notarized document, not a plain photocopy. The receiving country actually required the FBI (federal) check instead
＋How long does it take?
Mail processing in Washington runs about 5–10 business days. A counter option (dropoff) can be faster. A non-Hague destination adds the federal and embassy steps on top.
＋Who usually needs a state police / background check apostille?
People who work visas that accept a state-level check or need it for residency applications for some countries. The apostille lets a foreign authority accept your Washington state police / background check.
Other Washington documents
Sources
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor
Last verified: July 13, 2026 against the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities and the HCCH status table(official page). See how we verify and how often on ourmethodology page.
This is informational, not legal advice. The receiving authority sets the final requirements — confirm with them and the office named above before you send anything.