FBI Background Check Apostille for Spain
For the NLV, digital nomad, work & student visas — Live Scan today, apostille handled
In short: Spain is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so a U.S. criminal background check used for Spain's non-lucrative (NLV), digital nomad, work, and student visas must be authenticated with an apostille — not embassy legalization. For a visa this is normally the FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. Efficient Biometrics captures your fingerprints by Live Scan as an authorized FBI channeling agency (results in about 1–8 hours) and then coordinates the apostille so it's accepted in Spain.
When you need an apostilled background check for Spain
Spanish consulates are among the strictest on this: a non-lucrative or digital nomad visa applicant almost always has to submit an FBI background check, apostilled, and typically issued within the last three to six months. An expired or unauthenticated report is a common reason applications get bounced.
The document these applications call for is almost always the FBI Identity History Summary — a nationwide criminal-history check — authenticated with a U.S. federal apostille for use in Spain.
Spain also wants the apostilled report translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traducción jurada) on the register of Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the apostille is translated too unless it already includes Spanish. We arrange the sworn translation with your order.
How we get it done — fast
- Live Scan fingerprinting on site. As an authorized FBI channeling agency in Naperville, we capture your fingerprints electronically and submit them straight to the FBI — no ink cards, no mailing. Walk in or call/text 847-436-5222.
- FBI results in about 1–8 hours. You receive your FBI Identity History Summary the same day in most cases, instead of the 3–14 weeks a direct mail submission takes.
- We coordinate the apostille. Because the FBI report is a federal document, its apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State — we prepare the report correctly and guide you through (or handle) that step so it's accepted abroad.
- Delivered and tracked. Back to you or straight to your destination, domestic or international, with status you can follow the whole way.
Why Efficient Biometrics
We're a licensed and insured service with a real, staffed office in Naperville (682 Illinois Route 59) and an authorized FBI channeling agency — Live Scan fingerprints, same-day FBI results, and apostille coordination under one roof. Same-day and walk-in fingerprinting is often available. Call or text 847-436-5222.
Passport & visa photos for Spain
A visa for Spain normally requires a photo to that country's own specification — 35 × 45 mm — which differs from the standard U.S. 2×2-inch passport photo. Efficient Biometrics takes compliant passport and visa photos to the correct size in the same visit as your Live Scan and apostille, so you don't have to make a second trip. Exact requirements vary by visa type and consulate, so we shoot to the precise spec your application needs. Book passport & visa photos or call 847-436-5222.
Two paths worth knowing: a nationwide FBI background check is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, while some countries and consulates accept a state-level criminal-history check — an Illinois State Police report, which we can apostille directly at the Illinois Secretary of State. Tell us your destination country and visa and we'll confirm exactly which one your consulate requires.
Related guides: how to get an FBI background check in Naperville, apostille vs. authentication vs. legalization, and our apostille background check by country overview.
Who can use FBI channeling
The FBI only allows channeling (the fast Live Scan route) for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) located in the U.S. If you are in the U.S. on a visa or are not a citizen or green-card holder, your FBI report must be requested directly from the FBI. We fingerprint you on an FD-1164 card, send the request to the FBI, and can still arrange the apostille — see FBI background check for non-U.S. citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Spain accept a state background check, or does it have to be the FBI check?
For the NLV and digital nomad visas most consulates want the nationwide FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled. A few accept a state police certificate -- confirm with your specific consulate and we'll produce whichever you need.
My Spanish consulate wants the check issued recently -- can you turn it around quickly?
Yes. Live Scan gives FBI results in about 1-8 hours, so you can get a fresh report and move straight to the apostille.
Do I need an apostille or embassy legalization for Spain?
Spain is in the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille is what you need -- not embassy legalization.
What size passport or visa photo does Spain require?
Spain's visa photo requirement is 35 × 45 mm, which differs from the U.S. 2×2-inch size. We take compliant passport and visa photos to the exact spec in the same visit — book them at efficientbiometrics.com/book. Requirements can vary by visa type and consulate.
How fast can I get the FBI background check itself?
Through our authorized FBI channeling (Live Scan fingerprinting), results are typically ready in about 1-8 hours -- versus 3-14 weeks for a direct mail submission.
Who issues the apostille on an FBI background check?
The U.S. Department of State, because the FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document. Illinois cannot apostille a federal report. We prepare the report and guide you through (or handle) the Department of State step.