From a US citizen on one of the Facebook groups:
Good afternoon, guys! I am thinking of applying for the pensionado visa. I understand I need an FBI criminal background check, but can I get those documents apostilled when I get to Panama? The closest Panamanian consulate / embassy to me is in DC (5-6 hours away). Did you guys go to an FBI office to apply for the criminal background check, or did you do it online? Thanks in advance for your help.
First if you are not sure what we are talking about here, then be sure to check out my article on “The Apostille?”
Can I Get an Apostille on US Docs from Panama?
The short answer is yes. But while you can technically get an apostille on US docs from here in Panama, it is a bit more complicated, more expensive and could be more risky than getting it while you are in the US. The main reason is that you will need to use a private, international courier service (like Fedex or DHL) in order to get it done on time.
I´ll circle back around why this is important in just a minute.
How to Get the Apostille while in the US?
When possible, my clients usually prefer to get the apostille on US docs like the FBI report while they are in the US. The easiest and fastest way is through the Panama consulate. You can do it in person and by appointment, which usually means same-day service. Or you can do it by mail, which usually takes around 1 week via the fast and inexpensive US Postal Service.
You can contact the closest consulate for instructions, and you can also find out most of what you need to know by referring to the Panamanian Embassy website for instructions.
There are 8 Panamanian consulates in the USA:
Alternatively, you can also do it through the US State Dept. However, I have seen this take considerably more time (in some cases as long as 2-3 months).
Why does Time Matter so Much for an Apostille?
If you are dealing with a document like the FBI report for a Panamanian visa application, then be aware that the apostilled document must be presented within a max period of 6 months from issuance to be treated as valid in Panama. This is why getting the apostille from here in Panama can be risky.
Let´s say you have your FBI background check document here in Panama with no apostille. Now you need to send the document back to the US, wait for the apostille to be processed, and then have the doc sent back to you in Panama once the apostille is applied. Depending when the FBI report was issued the timing of it all could get a little tight, and it will definitely involve some expenses that could have been avoided by doing it from the US.
Assistance with the FBI Report and Apostille
One last thing – as I mentioned, when you are applying for residency in Panama you will need to get a federal background check from the FBI, and then you’ll need to get an apostille. You can get the federal background check directly from the FBI and then have get the apostille through the State Dept or one of Panama’s 8 consulate offices. Or there are also companies in the US that can help you with both the FBI report as well as the apostille process:
- Here is a list FBI-approved Channelers who can help you to get the FBI criminal background check.
- One Source Process is just one company that some of my US clients have used to get their apostille on US docs.
Bottom Line?
When it comes to getting an apostille on your docs for the visa application process, it is important to get it right. And time is of the essence, given the limited window of 6-months from issuance that the doc will be treated as valid. If you have any questions, you can reach me via email me at tamara@theindependentlawyer.com.
