If an Austrian authority has asked you for a criminal record extract or police clearance, for an American that means your FBI background check with a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State. We take care of all of it: your fingerprints, the FBI request and the apostille, whether you’re in Los Angeles or already living in Austria.
What Austria Asks For
Austrian citizenship for descendants of people persecuted by the Nazis (§ 58c). If you’re applying to become Austrian as the descendant of someone persecuted under the Nazi regime, Austria asks for a current criminal record extract, no older than 8 months when you file, with an apostille (see oesterreich.gv.at). For Americans, that’s your FBI background check with a federal apostille. We’ve helped many families through this. Because the 8 months count to the day you file, time the FBI check so it’s still current when your application goes in.
Residence permits. For a first application, Austria’s Interior Ministry says many authorities require a current police clearance certificate from your home country, submitted as an original with a copy (see the Austrian Interior Ministry).
Employers and schools. Austrian employers and schools sometimes ask for one too, especially for work with children.
How We Handle It
If you’re in Los Angeles, we take your fingerprints at our office or wherever suits you, and submit them to the FBI electronically. The FBI sends the report straight to you; you forward it to us, and we take it from there. We submit it to the U.S. Department of State, collect the apostille, and get everything back to you ready to hand in.
If you already live in Austria, you don’t need to fly home. Get fingerprinted on FD-258 cards at your local police station and mail them to us. We submit them to the FBI in person, handle the apostille, and ship the finished documents to you. See FBI Background Check Apostille Abroad.
For every step in detail, see our step-by-step guide to getting your FBI background check apostilled. For other U.S. documents going to Austria, such as birth and marriage certificates, see Apostille for Austria.
Common Questions
Do I need an FBI check for § 58c citizenship?
Yes. Austria asks for a current criminal record extract, no older than 8 months when you file, with an apostille. For Americans, that’s the FBI check with a federal apostille.
Does it need a German translation?
Austrian authorities generally accept it in English. If yours asks for a German translation, we provide it.
Can I use a California background check?
No. The FBI check is the national record, and that’s what Austria needs from Americans.
I live in Austria. Can you help?
Yes. Get fingerprinted on FD-258 cards at your local police station and mail them to us. We handle everything from there.
Ready to get started? Call or text (310) 526-0200, or message us on WhatsApp.
Benötigen Sie eine FBI-Strafregisterbescheinigung mit Apostille für Österreich? Rufen Sie uns an oder schreiben Sie uns: (310) 526-0200.
