U.S. documents for an Ecuador visa
U.S. State Background Check & Apostille Directory
Every U.S. state issues its criminal record through a different agency and apostilles it through a different authority. This verified directory shows the issuing agency, apostille office, official links, fees, and timing for all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Federal (FBI) path is separate
Whether your criminal-record certificate needs a federal or a state apostille depends on what issued the document. An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document and follows the federal apostille process. A state or local police record is a state document and is certified by the issuing state's authority.
Ecuador requires an apostilled or legalized criminal-record certificate valid for 180 days. Federal certificates are accepted on the basis of their nationwide coverage. Not every applicant needs both an FBI record and a state record — confirm which one your route requires before ordering.
U.S. Department of State — Criminal Records Checks
Distinguishes FBI (federal) records from state and local records, and directs holders of state-issued documents to the relevant state authority.
Official sourceU.S. Department of State — Apostille Requirements
Federal documents follow the federal apostille process; Hague-country state documents are certified by the issuing state.
Official sourceEcuador Ministry of Foreign Affairs — eVISAS English Guide
Requires an apostilled or legalized criminal-record certificate, valid for 180 days, and qualifies federal certificates by nationwide coverage.
Official source
Find your state
Search or select a state to open its verified background-check and apostille instructions, official sources, fees, and timing notes.
51 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
- ALAlabamaAlabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) — Criminal Records and Identification Unit
- AKAlaskaAlaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) — Records and Identification Bureau
- AZArizonaArizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) — Criminal History Records Unit
- ARArkansasArkansas State Police — Identification Bureau
- CACaliforniaCalifornia Department of Justice (DOJ) — Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis
- COColoradoColorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) — Biometric Identification and Records Unit
- CTConnecticutConnecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) — State Police Bureau of Identification
- DEDelawareDelaware State Police — State Bureau of Identification (SBI)
- DCDistrict of ColumbiaMetropolitan Police Department (MPD) — Arrest and Criminal History Section
- FLFloridaFlorida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) — Criminal History Records Section
- GAGeorgiaGeorgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) — Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC)
- HIHawaiiHawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) — Attorney General's Office
- IDIdahoIdaho State Police (ISP) — Bureau of Criminal Identification
- ILIllinoisIllinois State Police (ISP) — Bureau of Identification
- INIndianaIndiana State Police (ISP) — Criminal History Services
- IAIowaIowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) — Department of Public Safety
- KSKansasKansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) — Criminal History Records Unit
- KYKentuckyKentucky State Police (KSP)
- LALouisianaLouisiana State Police (LSP) — Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII)
- MEMaineMaine State Police — State Bureau of Identification (SBI)
- MDMarylandMaryland Department of Public Safety — Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository
- MAMassachusettsDepartment of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)
- MIMichiganMichigan State Police — Criminal Justice Information Center
- MNMinnesotaBureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
- MSMississippiMississippi Department of Public Safety — Bureau of Investigation
- MOMissouriMissouri State Highway Patrol — Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
- MTMontanaMontana Department of Justice — Criminal Records & Identification Services
- NENebraskaNebraska State Patrol — Criminal Identification Division
- NVNevadaNevada Department of Public Safety — Records, Communications and Compliance Division
- NHNew HampshireNew Hampshire State Police — Criminal Records Unit
- NJNew JerseyNew Jersey State Police — Criminal Information Unit (CIU)
- NMNew MexicoNew Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- NYNew YorkNew York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
- NCNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)
- NDNorth DakotaNorth Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
- OHOhioOhio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
- OKOklahomaOklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI)
- OROregonOregon State Police (OSP)
- PAPennsylvaniaPennsylvania State Police (PATCH)
- RIRhode IslandRhode Island Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI)
- SCSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
- SDSouth DakotaSouth Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
- TNTennesseeTennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
- TXTexasTexas Department of Public Safety (DPS) — Crime Records Service
- UTUtahUtah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI)
- VTVermontVermont Crime Information Center (VCIC)
- VAVirginiaVirginia State Police (VSP)
- WAWashingtonWashington State Patrol (WSP) — WATCH
- WVWest VirginiaWest Virginia State Police — Criminal Identification Bureau (CIB)
- WIWisconsinWisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ)
- WYWyomingWyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
Select a state to see verified background-check and apostille steps, official sources, fees, and timing. Use the arrow keys to move through the list and Enter to open a state.
All 51 jurisdictions
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) — Criminal Records and Identification Unit
- Apostille
- Alabama Secretary of State — Authentications Division
- Fee
- $5.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 3-5 business days by mail; same day for walk-in
Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) — Records and Identification Bureau
- Apostille
- Office of the Lieutenant Governor — Authentications Department
- Fee
- $5.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 2 business days
Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) — Criminal History Records Unit
- Apostille
- Arizona Secretary of State — Authentication Division
- Fee
- $3.00 per document (plus $25.00 expedite fee for walk-in)
- Turnaround
- 10-20 business days by mail; same day for walk-in with $25 expedite fee
Arkansas State Police — Identification Bureau
- Apostille
- Arkansas Secretary of State — Business and Commercial Services Division
- Fee
- $10.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 2 business days
California Department of Justice (DOJ) — Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis
- Apostille
- California Secretary of State — Notary Public Section, Apostille Unit
- Fee
- $20.00 per document (plus $6.00 special handling for in-person)
- Turnaround
- 30 minutes in person (Sacramento or LA); 4-6 weeks by mail
Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) — Biometric Identification and Records Unit
- Apostille
- Colorado Secretary of State — Notary and Apostille Services
- Fee
- $5.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 7 business days (may be longer during high-volume periods)
Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) — State Police Bureau of Identification
- Apostille
- Connecticut Secretary of the State — Authentications and Apostille Unit
- Fee
- $40.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 5-7 business days standard; 24 hours expedited
Delaware State Police — State Bureau of Identification (SBI)
- Apostille
- Delaware Secretary of State — Division of Corporations
- Fee
- $30.00 per document
- Turnaround
- Same business day for personal mail-in requests
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) — Arrest and Criminal History Section
- Apostille
- DC Office of the Secretary — Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA)
- Fee
- $15 per document
- Turnaround
- 1–5 business days (in-person) or 1–2 weeks (mail)
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) — Criminal History Records Section
- Apostille
- Florida Department of State — Division of Corporations, Apostille Section
- Fee
- $10.00 per document ($20.00 if certified by a Clerk of Court)
- Turnaround
- 5-6 business days
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) — Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC)
- Apostille
- Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA)
- Fee
- $3.00 per document
- Turnaround
- Same day to next day for walk-in; 2-3 business days by mail
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) — Attorney General's Office
- Apostille
- Office of the Lieutenant Governor
- Fee
- $1.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 7-10 business days
Idaho State Police (ISP) — Bureau of Criminal Identification
- Apostille
- Idaho Secretary of State
- Fee
- $10.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 1 business day
Illinois State Police (ISP) — Bureau of Identification
- Apostille
- Illinois Secretary of State — Index Department
- Fee
- $2.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 7-14 business days by mail
Indiana State Police (ISP) — Criminal History Services
- Apostille
- Indiana Secretary of State — Business Services Division
- Fee
- $2.00 per document
- Turnaround
- Same day for walk-in; 3 business days by mail
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) — Department of Public Safety
- Apostille
- Iowa Secretary of State
- Fee
- $5.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 2 business days
Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) — Criminal History Records Unit
- Apostille
- Kansas Secretary of State — General Services
- Fee
- $10.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 3-5 business days
Kentucky State Police (KSP)
- Apostille
- Kentucky Secretary of State — Office of Business Services
- Fee
- $5.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 3 business days
Louisiana State Police (LSP) — Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII)
- Apostille
- Louisiana Secretary of State — Certifications Division
- Fee
- $20.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 3 business days
Maine State Police — State Bureau of Identification (SBI)
- Apostille
- Maine Secretary of State — Apostilles and Authentications
- Fee
- $10.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 10-15 business days
Maryland Department of Public Safety — Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository
- Apostille
- Maryland Secretary of State — Certifications
- Fee
- $5.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 2 business days
Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)
- Apostille
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Fee
- $6 per document
- Turnaround
- Same day (in person) or 5-10 business days (by mail)
Michigan State Police — Criminal Justice Information Center
- Apostille
- Michigan Secretary of State — Office of the Great Seal
- Fee
- $1 per document
- Turnaround
- By appointment in person (Mondays/Wednesdays) or ~14 business days by mail
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
- Apostille
- Minnesota Secretary of State
- Fee
- $5 per document
- Turnaround
- 2 business days (in-person appointment) or 3-6 weeks (by mail)
Mississippi Department of Public Safety — Bureau of Investigation
- Apostille
- Mississippi Secretary of State
- Fee
- $5 per document
- Turnaround
- 2 business days
Missouri State Highway Patrol — Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
- Apostille
- Missouri Secretary of State — Notaries & Commissions Unit
- Fee
- $10 per document
- Turnaround
- Same day (walk-in) or 5-7 business days (by mail)
Montana Department of Justice — Criminal Records & Identification Services
- Apostille
- Montana Secretary of State
- Fee
- $10 per document
- Turnaround
- 5 business days
Nebraska State Patrol — Criminal Identification Division
- Apostille
- Nebraska Secretary of State
- Fee
- $10 per document
- Turnaround
- 1 business day (in person) or ~14 business days (by mail)
Nevada Department of Public Safety — Records, Communications and Compliance Division
- Apostille
- Nevada Secretary of State
- Fee
- $20 per document
- Turnaround
- Same day (in person, Carson City) or 5-10 business days (by mail)
New Hampshire State Police — Criminal Records Unit
- Apostille
- New Hampshire Secretary of State
- Fee
- $10 per document ($35 expedited)
- Turnaround
- Same day (in person) or ~7 business days (by mail)
New Jersey State Police — Criminal Information Unit (CIU)
- Apostille
- New Jersey Department of the Treasury — Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES)
- Fee
- $25 per document (+ convenience fee)
- Turnaround
- 1-hour (in-person expedited) or 12-20 business days (mail-in)
New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Apostille
- New Mexico Secretary of State
- Fee
- $3.00 per document
- Turnaround
- Same day (in person) or 3 business days (mail/online)
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
- Apostille
- New York Department of State
- Fee
- $10.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 4 business days (standard); same-day available at walk-in locations
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)
- Apostille
- North Carolina Secretary of State, Authentication Division
- Fee
- $10.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 45+ days (mail); a few days (walk-in/hand delivery)
North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
- Apostille
- North Dakota Secretary of State
- Fee
- $10.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 3 business days
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
- Apostille
- Ohio Secretary of State
- Fee
- $5.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 2-3 business days (mail); same day (in person at Columbus office)
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI)
- Apostille
- Oklahoma Secretary of State
- Fee
- $25.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 2 business days
Oregon State Police (OSP)
- Apostille
- Oregon Secretary of State
- Fee
- $10.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 3 business days
Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH)
- Apostille
- Pennsylvania Department of State (Secretary of the Commonwealth)
- Fee
- $15.00 per document
- Turnaround
- Same day (walk-in with appointment); 5 business days (standard); 2-3 weeks (mail-in)
Rhode Island Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI)
- Apostille
- Rhode Island Secretary of State
- Fee
- $5.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 1-10 business days
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
- Apostille
- South Carolina Secretary of State
- Fee
- $5.00 per document
- Turnaround
- 2 business days
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
- Apostille
- South Dakota Secretary of State
- Fee
- $25 per document
- Turnaround
- Same-day (in-person) or 5–7 business days (mail)
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
- Apostille
- Tennessee Secretary of State
- Fee
- $2 per document
- Turnaround
- Same-day (in-person, arrive by 2 PM) or 3 business days (mail)
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) — Crime Records Service
- Apostille
- Texas Secretary of State
- Fee
- $15 per document
- Turnaround
- Same-day (walk-in Mon/Fri) or up to 25 business days (mail)
Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI)
- Apostille
- Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office
- Fee
- $20 per document
- Turnaround
- Same-day (within 2 hours, in-person) or 3–5 business days (standard)
Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC)
- Apostille
- Vermont Secretary of State
- Fee
- $10 per apostille
- Turnaround
- Same-day (walk-in) or 3–5 business days (mail)
Virginia State Police (VSP)
- Apostille
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Fee
- $10 first document, $5 each additional (same signer/day/country)
- Turnaround
- Same-day (in-person, by appointment) or 5–7 business days (mail)
Washington State Patrol (WSP) — WATCH
- Apostille
- Washington Secretary of State
- Fee
- $15 per document
- Turnaround
- Same-day (walk-in) or 5–7 business days (mail)
West Virginia State Police — Criminal Identification Bureau (CIB)
- Apostille
- West Virginia Secretary of State
- Fee
- $10 first document, $5 each additional
- Turnaround
- Same-day (in-person) or 3–6 business days (mail)
Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Apostille
- Wisconsin Secretary of State
- Fee
- $10 standard or $35 expedited per document
- Turnaround
- Same-day (walk-in expedited), 2–4 business days (expedited mail), or 7–20 business days (standard mail)
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
- Apostille
- Wyoming Secretary of State
- Fee
- $20 per document
- Turnaround
- 7–9 business days (mail) or by appointment (in-person)
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Generate your full Ecuador visa document checklist.
Use the checklist generator to see exactly which documents need an apostille and translation for your route, nationality, and family.
How this page is sourced and reviewed
Owner: EcuaPass editorial team. Last reviewed August 31, 2026; review due November 29, 2026.
Reviewer: Chip Moreno, EcuaPass founder.
Educational planning information only. It does not determine eligibility, replace individualized legal advice, or guarantee an approval, timeline, fee, or outcome.
Review status: source-controlled review record.
Primary sources
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