How a Florida fdle background check is used in Germany
German visas rarely ask for a U.S. criminal-record check. It comes up mainly in professional licensing, such as a doctor's or nurse's recognition, a teaching post, or work with children, where the authority asks for a certificate of good conduct from the countries where you lived. Many German authorities expect the national FBI record, which is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by us, so ask whether a Florida state record is also wanted. If it is, request the FDLE check notarized at issuance and plan on a sworn German translation.
Translation for Germany
German offices that require a translation usually want one by a translator sworn, publicly appointed or authorized under German state law, searchable in the state justice administrations' database. Our general rule is a translation certified by the translator, notarized by a separate notary and apostilled in Florida; some German offices accept it, but many will instead require a sworn German translator. For recognition of a Florida divorce, plan on the apostille plus a sworn German translation. Translate after the apostille, including the apostille page.
What your FDLE criminal history check must look like
Order the certified, notarized criminal history from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement — the version FDLE notarizes at issuance. An online instant check or a printout without FDLE's notarial certificate cannot be apostilled. The notarized FDLE result is a Florida document, so it receives a Florida apostille; an FBI identity history summary is a federal document that goes to the U.S. Department of State instead and is not something we handle. If the receiving office asks for a "state police certificate", the notarized FDLE check is what they mean.
Step by step: FDLE background check apostille for Germany
- Order online — pick "FDLE background check" and "Germany" on the order form; $220 per document, $380 for two, $160 each for three or more.
- Send a photo — reply to the confirmation email with a picture of the document. We check the certification before anything ships, so a defect is caught before it costs you a round trip.
- Drop it at FedEx — after approval, FedEx emails you a prepaid QR code; show it at any FedEx Office or Ship Center, no printer or label needed.
- Filed in person in Tallahassee — we walk the document into the Florida Department of State and ship the apostilled original back by FedEx within 5–7 business days of receipt — to your U.S. address, or to Germany with international return shipping (+$100).
One Florida apostille is all the U.S. side needs for Germany. Whatever the office there asks for after that — a translation, a filing deadline — is covered above.