[Vik]

The Criminal records check can be done I two ways in the United States either on the state level or federal level. Both documents are issued by the United States government and require an Apostille or Foreign Certification be used abroad. Apostille is a document issued in accordance to the Hague Convention of 1961 on Abolishment of Legalization of Foreign Public Documents. In the United States apostille is a separate page which is affixed to the original document thus authenticating it. Foreign Certification is a similar process to the apostille, which is required by the countries who are not signatories to the above mentioned convention.

With out the process of chain legalization the documents issued in one country will not be accepted in other countries unless stated other wise. (Sometimes for immigration purposes not all the documents have to be apostilled)

Here is a link for more information on the ways in the United States to obtain Criminal Records Check and an Apostille/Foreign Certification.

Regards,
Vik