Supporting Americans Abroad:
Washington State Background Check and Apostille Services
Moving abroad for Retirement? It’s an exciting adventure, but the paperwork can be overwhelming. Many countries require specific documentation, like criminal background checks and apostilles, to approve visas, work permits, or other legal processes. That’s where we come in—to help make your journey smoother and give you peace of mind, no matter where you’re headed.
Why Ecuador Requires a Criminal Record Check
A criminal record check helps Ecuador ensure public safety and verify the background of individuals applying for residency. For Washington State residents, you’ll need two critical documents:
- A Washington State criminal record, which must be retrieved from official state records and authenticated with an apostille.
- An FBI background check, which also requires an apostille to be valid for use in Ecuador.
These documents confirm your legal history at both the state and federal levels, which is a standard requirement for many Ecuador visa types.
Without an apostille, neither document will be accepted, and your visa application could face delays or rejection.
Types of Washington State Criminal Background Checks for Ecuador
You can choose between two types of Washington State criminal background checks:
- Name-Based Check:
- Requires a signed authorization form and a copy of your passport.
- Completed in approximately one to two weeks.
2. Fingerprint-Based Check:
- Requires your fingerprints for processing.
- Signed Authorization form
- Also be completed in about one to two weeks.
Why State Police Notarization is Important for Apostille Certificates
To use a criminal report internationally, it must first be notarized by the state police department. This process verifies the presence of the signer, confirming the authenticity and validity of the report. Notarization is essential because, without it, you can’t obtain an apostille certificate, which is required for international recognition.
The apostille certificate further authenticates the notarization, confirming that the notary holds a valid commission as a public official in and for the state of Washington. This global seal of approval ensures that your criminal report meets international legal standards and is ready for use abroad
Background Check and Apostille Certificate Made Simple with Elite Documents
We recently had the privilege of helping a couple navigate what could have been a pretty stressful situation. They were facing the possibility of having to travel all the way back to Washington State to finalize some paperwork for their residency renewal.
Moving to a new country is challenging enough without the added hassle of unexpected trips and more paperwork. So, we stepped in, stayed on top of every detail, and ensured their documents were delivered right on time. Thanks to that, their lawyer was able to complete the residency process without delays—no extra travel, no extra stress.
It’s moments like this that remind us how important it is to go the extra mile for our clients. Seeing them settle into their new life without interruptions? That’s why we do what we do.
At Elite Documents, We Strive to Alleviate Your Stress. Here’s What Our Client Said:
We were completely lost when it came to visas and paperwork for our move abroad. Honestly, we didn’t even know where to begin! Elite Documents was incredible—they explained everything in a way we could understand and connected us with a fantastic lawyer who handled the tricky stuff.
Thanks to them, we didn’t have to stress about a thing.
Robert and Camila G.
Ecuador
Your Go-To Team for Secure and Reliable Document Services
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Let us handle the document process for you, so you can avoid the hassle and stress!
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