What is an apostille and why do I need it?

Today, I wanted to take a look at one of the necessary steps for preparing and/or teaching overseas, which is that whole apostilling (is that even a word?) process. Before we started this whole process I had never even heard of the word apostille, so obviously I had no idea how important it is.

So what is an apostille? Through some research we determined that an apostille basically just verifies our documents for international use. That includes things such as degrees, those spiffy FBI background checks, and apostilles are used for a variety of other things too.

Per the FBI website:  "*An apostille is a certification that a document has been “legalized” or “authenticated” by the issuing agency through a process in which various seals are placed on the document."

In our case, after the FBI background checks are completed and make their return they have to be sent right back out again to be apostilled. For something like the background checks, the apostille has to be done by the US Secretary of State and there is a fee associated with the apostille. This process can take a few weeks, but not as long as the background checks themselves.

Now, in the case of this apostille, there are several options. You can expedite the process by using priority mail or some sort of speedy shipping option (with tracking as desired along with self addressed and stamped envelopes for the return trip) or you can send them normally, if you aren't in any particular hurry. Just be prepared for the price increase as you take advantage of faster shipping options. You also have the option of driving to the Department of State during their brief working hours, convincing a friend or relative to do it for you, or paying an actual agency that does it to take care of the apostille. In our case, as soon as the background checks return, they are going out in the mail for the end of the worst of the paperwork.

There is one more leg to go with the apostille process though. You also need to get a copy of your degree notarized and apostilled too. The notary can be completed by any notary (just make sure it's done right!), but then it must be sent to the Secretary of State of the state that the notary was completed in. It doesn't matter if your degree is from another state, but the notary and apostille must be completed in the same state.

So we had the notary done locally here in Indiana and it was shipped out to the Secretary of State in Indianapolis, Indiana shortly after. We did run into a hitch though, and that was due to the notary public screwing things up so that they were sent back to us incomplete. Thankfully we were able to go to the shipping store where the corrections were made and shipped out without costing us even more money. We're hoping to get them back soon.

As a side note, we ran into another hitch with the degrees and that was due to the UPS losing them in the process of sending them from Indianapolis to about an hour North. Not cool UPS. Claims have been filed, however, and we are expecting them soon.

FBI background checks and you

So this is very step is the literal bottleneck of everything having to do with teaching language overseas.  The FBI check ensure that your potential employer overseas knows you are not dangerous or have legal baggage attached to you.  It isn't a judgmental thing, it is just business.  So here is what you need to get things done.

At one time all you needed were state background checks to work overseas.  However, much like everything else pedophiles ruined it by jumping one state over and getting their checks done in a state where there name wasn't plastered all over familywatchdog.us.

First you need to fill out the FBI check form which you can find here.  
You also need to write out on the application form that you are planning to get your check apostilled and that you need the seal and signature of a division official of the FBI so that it can be apostilled.  Make sure to write on your background check form
By the way the way you pronounce apostilled is ah - poss - steal - ed, the more you know!

Next you need to get your finger prints done.  This step actually caused Manda and I a lot of grief when we attempted to get our finger prints done at a local police station.  The woman seemed suspicious of why we wanted to get them done, and wouldn't cooperate when we asked to get more information about where we could actually do them.  Luckily there was a prison near by so all we had to do was commit a felony and we were on our way to getting our prints done!
In actuality we visited the Sheriffs office which was connect to the prison which let us do our finger prints for free (where as you can get charged by some places).  We also printed out our cards using card stock, however I think it would be best to call ahead and see if your local Sheriff's office or perhaps state police office has any cards on hand.

Now for each background check you have to get they will each cost you $18.00 which and this is important you cannot pay using cash or personal checks  the FBI will simply call you up, and force you to send in a money order or travelers check.  This will delay you even more so don't do it, because if you're anything like us waiting on the FBI check is torturous enough as it is.  Oh and about the waiting...


Send those documents out as soon as you can, the documents take two to three months to come back, and that is if you did everything correctly.  If you don't want to wait quite as long you can send your documents out via the UPS store (or any other mail sending agency).  If you send it express it will get there with the quickness, and you must pay for the return trip or it will take even longer.  Expect to shell out some pretty penny for to get all of this sent out.


Now it is simply the waiting game of getting your checks back.  Let me tell you though it drags like you wouldn't believe.