FBI BACKGROUND CHECK
1. I got my fingerprints taken at the local jail. I was in line behind someone who was bailing out their brother, which was...interesting to overhear. After waaaay too long of a wait, I was taken into the "processing room". It's ridiculous, but I really did feel like I was in trouble! He did my fingerprints (the ring finger on my right hand came out a little smudgy so I'm a tad worried about that...) and that was that. It was free. All I had to do was bring my own fingerprint card, which you can download from here.
2. Filled out the applicant information form, which you can download here. Just click the "request" button.
3. Went and got a money order from my bank for $18 and made it payable to Treasury of the United States
4. Stuck it all in an envelope with a note requesting that the FBI Summary be "Authenticated" or "Authorized" by a stamp or signature because I would be getting it Apostilled. I heard somewhere that you need to get it authenticated or authorized (because it acts as a sort of notary) before you can send it out to be apostilled. Not sure if it's true, but I went ahead with that. They also requested that I include contact information (ie. cell and email) so I did that as well.
And that took care of requesting my FBI background check. According to their website the wait time is around 28 days not including transit time. Note that I did not include an envelope for them to send me my summary. I think the $18 helps pay for that, unlike the Apostilles, which require you to include a self addressed stamped envelope. Speaking of apostilles...
DEGREE APOSTILLE
This one was a little more confusing for me because I live in the State of Texas where apparently you can't notarize copies of school records like diplomas. I was told (by the expert as PostNet lol) that I would have to type up a letter of sorts which basically promised that the copy was a true and exact copy blah blah blah and then sign it, and then he would notarize THAT and attach it to the color copy of my diploma. Not being too sure about this I called the Authentications people in Austin and verified it with them. Yes. Exactly. Should've trusted the PostNet guy. SO!
1. Made a copy of my diploma (exact replica; size and color)
2. Wrote the promise/affidavit. Here's my wording:
I, Blah Blah Blah, state on this the 5th day of March, 2014, that the attached document is a true and exact copy of the original diploma issued to me by the University of North Texas. This copy was made in the presence of a notary public.
I then wrote my name and left space for the notary to sign, date, and stamp it.
3. I included the payment form (2101) for $15 and the Request for an Official Certificate or Apostille form (2102), which you can get here.
4. I included a slip of paper with the country where the document will be recorded/used/transmitted. (ie. South Korea) and I also went on to specify the EPIK program. Just in case.
5. Included a self addressed stamped envelope for them to send me back the apostilled documents.
There are a lot of options on the Secretary of State website where you get things apostilled so I made sure to go over it with the lady I talked to on the phone. She verified that I had everything covered. SO!
Now I just have to wait to get my FBI Summary back so I can rinse and repeat the Apostille process with that one, and I'm then basically done! :D
I should probably start my TESOL course... *ugh* TOO EXPENSIVE!!!
XOXO
Kim(chi)
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