FBI Background Check · Ethiopia
FBI Background Check Legalization for Ethiopia
Route, timeline, translation and price for using a FBI Background Check in Ethiopia — based on the official Hague Convention status table.
Quick answer
Ethiopia requires embassy legalization. Your FBI Background Check needs U.S. Department of State authentication, then Ethiopia embassy legalization — 15–17 business days with us, both steps included. Certified Amharic translation may be required.
- Route
- Authentication + embassy legalization
- Hague member since
- Not a member
- Issuing authority
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Translation
- Certified Amharic translation may be required.
Is Ethiopia a Hague Convention country?
No. Ethiopia is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so an apostille will not be accepted there. The document needs U.S. Department of State authentication first, then legalization at the Ethiopia embassy or consulate — in that order.
The route to Ethiopia
A FBI Background Check is issued by Federal Bureau of Investigation, a federal authority, so it is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — never by a state office. For Ethiopia, the Department of State’s authentication is then legalized at the Ethiopia embassy or consulate.
People most often send documents to Ethiopia for adoption and family matters. Receiving offices set their own requirements, so confirm what yours asks for — we’ll help you read it.
About the FBI Background Check
How to apostille an FBI background check for use abroad.
Already have your FBI report? Mail it to us exactly as issued and we prepare it for Ethiopia. Don’t have it yet? Get it in person, by appointment, at our West Palm Beach and Miami offices, or request it directly from the FBI — see how to get an FBI background check.
Timeline and price
| Stage | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days | Both steps included; the Ethiopia embassy step cannot come first |
| Certified translation | Alongside | Ordered with the authentication so nothing waits in sequence |
| Return shipping | 1–3 days in the U.S. | Tracked courier; worldwide delivery available |
Price: $399 per document, government fees and U.S. shipping included, embassy legalization included.
Need the FBI check itself? We take fingerprints and run FBI checks in person, by appointment, at our West Palm Beach and Miami offices — $149 for the check, then authentication and embassy legalization. Already have your report? Mail it to us.
Translation for Ethiopia
Certified Amharic translation may be required. We coordinate certified translation alongside the authentication so the document arrives ready to file.
How it works
Confirm the route
Tell us you’re sending a FBI Background Check to Ethiopia. We confirm route, price and timing before any payment.
Get the document to us
Ship it to us with tracking (we send the address when we confirm your order), or drop it off by appointment at our West Palm Beach or Miami office.
Pre-submission review
We check it against authentication requirements to catch the problems that cause rejections.
Department of State
Hand-delivered to the Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.
Ethiopia embassy legalization
The authenticated document is presented to the Ethiopia embassy or consulate.
Certified translation
Arranged alongside so it arrives ready to file in Ethiopia.
Delivery
Returned to you by tracked courier, or sent directly to your recipient in Ethiopia.
Sources: HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (checked October 2026) · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document.
FBI Background Check for Ethiopia — FAQ
Is Ethiopia part of the Hague Apostille Convention?
No. Ethiopia is not a party to the Convention, so documents need Department of State authentication followed by Ethiopia embassy legalization.
How long does it take to prepare a FBI Background Check for Ethiopia?
About 15–17 business days for Department of State authentication plus Ethiopia embassy legalization, both included. Certified translation runs alongside.
How much does it cost to send a FBI Background Check to Ethiopia?
$399 per document, with government fees and U.S. shipping included. The embassy legalization step is included. We confirm your exact price before any payment.
Do I need a translation for Ethiopia?
Certified Amharic translation may be required. We can arrange certified translation with your order.
Can you get the FBI Background Check for me?
In person, yes: we take fingerprints and run FBI checks by appointment at our West Palm Beach and Miami offices. If you already have your report, mail it to us and we prepare it for Ethiopia.
Do I have to be in the United States?
No. Most Ethiopia orders are handled entirely by mail, and we can ship the finished document anywhere.
Related: FBI Background Check — full guide · All documents for Ethiopia · Apostille vs. embassy legalization · Why apostilles get rejected
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.