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FBI Background Check and Apostille

  • Writer: Shastia
    Shastia
  • Jan 4, 2024
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jan 7, 2024

Note: The information below is based on the experience of myself and fellow 2024 SK ETAs; a working, unofficial list. I can only guarantee that the information written below is accurate for the 2023-2024 grant year, as procedures, timelines, etc may change over the coming years.


Two of the larger expenses from in-processing were the FBI Criminal Background Check (CBC) and Apostille. Both take a few weeks to process, so get started early (and by 'early' I mean 'as soon as KAEC gives you the go-ahead to begin'). Since there are many steps and options to acquire the two documents, I have attached the relevant section of the in-processing handbook for the best outline:



In summary:


General process:

  1. Sign up for the background check here

  2. Register to get fingerprinted, go get fingerprinted (at UPS or other certified location)

  3. Receive results of CBC, upload to ContentSnare

  4. Send background check to USDOS (DOS or Monument Visa) to get apostilled

  5. Make sure apostilled CBC is shipped to KAEC's Seoul address


  • ($20) Registration of CBC (Criminal background check)

  • ($10-$90) Fingerprinting scans for CBC (ETAs reported $10 at local police station, $50 at local UPS and here, $90 at other locations)

  • ($55) Monument Visa Apostille Service

  • ($60) International shipping of Apostille to KAEC


Notes:

  • The fastest way to get the background check is to see if there is a UPS/USPS fingerprinting location near you. Then you pay online and walk in (call ahead to double check) and get it done in 15 minutes, they'll send the fingerprints on your behalf to get your CBC, usually back in an hour or so. It's the apostille that may take more time (not on your end, just for it to go through the proper channels) but you can't start that until you have the CBC

  • Monument Visa: One ETA ordered through monument visa 11/18 and delivered to KAEC 12/11. Another ordered theirs 11/27th and was delivered to KAEC 12/13

  • When coming in to get fingerprinted, call ahead to the location and make sure the "fingerprint taking certified" people are in that day, especially if doing it through UPS (not all location do it)

  • If you mailed your fingerprint card for the CBC: Your status card where it says missing fingerprint card" won't update until they actually open the package and start processing the requests, so don't worry if it still says missing on your FBI status page online. Can take 2-4 weeks

  • HojinSajin Blog has a fantastic, in-depth, step-by-step guide on obtaining the CBC, fingerprinting, and apostille. I would highly recommend reading his post in tandem with mine in order to fully cover any gaps in understanding

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Hanguksu is a personal blog by Shastia Azulay and not an official site of the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State.  The views expressed on this site are entirely Shastia's and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State, or any of its partner organizations. Since this blog is based on my personal experiences, I can only guarantee that the information written is accurate for the 2023-2024 grant year, as procedures, timelines, etc may change over the coming years.

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