Here we are going to take about how to get Apostille from The U.S. Department of State. The U.S. Department of State is a federal agency responsible for representing the United States government in foreign affairs. The United States of America has competent authorities to issue the Apostille certificate. The US Department of State Authentication Office affixes apostilles to documents issued by Federal agencies of the United States.
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How to get an apostille from the US Department of State?
The process for obtaining an apostille from the U.S. Department of State for documents originating in the United States is as follows:
- Determine if the document requires an apostille: Not all documents require an apostille. An apostille is typically required for legal documents that will be used in a foreign country. If you’re not sure if your document requires an apostille, it’s best to check with the relevant authority in the foreign country where the document will be used.
- Obtain the required original or certified copy of the document: The U.S. Department of State will only apostille original documents or certified copies. You may need to obtain a certified copy from the issuing authority or government agency before you can get an apostille from the U.S. Department of State.
- Complete the required application or request form: The U.S. Department of State has an application form that you’ll need to complete to get your document apostilled. The form is available on the Department of State’s website.
- Pay the required fee: The fee for an apostille from the U.S. Department of State is currently $8.00 per document.
- Submit the completed form and fee: Submit the completed form, along with the required fee, to the U.S. Department of State. You can submit the request by mail or in person at the Washington, D.C. office.
- Wait for processing: The processing time for an apostille from the U.S. Department of State is typically 5-10 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
- Receive the apostilled document: Once your document has been processed, the U.S. Department of State will attach the apostille to the original document or certified copy. You can then use the apostilled document in the foreign country.
It’s important to note that the specific requirements and process for getting an apostille from the U.S. Department of State may change over time. Before you begin the process, it’s best to check the current requirements and procedures on the Department of State’s website.
What kind of documents should be apostilled by the US Department of State?
U.S. Department of State-Issued Documents:
- Documents issued by US Federal agencies
- FBI Background checks, IRS documents, Certificates to Foreign Government, Naturalization documents
Federally-issued documents for use in countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention may need to be authenticated with an apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State. Documents signed by the following officials require an apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State:
- U.S. federal official
- U.S. consular officer
- A military notary, judge advocate (10 USC 1044a), or a foreign consul diplomatic official registered with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol
Note: All certifications must include a legible signature of the official’s name, title, and seal of the agency.
It’s important to note that not all documents require to go through an apostille process. If you’re not sure if your document requires an apostille services, it’s best to check with the relevant authority in the foreign country where the document will be used.
Federal Government Information
The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications performs document review by accepting document drop-offs 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, Monday – Friday (except federal holidays).
- Authentication staff will receive documents for review only during this period. Documents accepted during the 8 – 9 AM drop off time will be processed and returned within one to three business days.
- Customers who drop off documents will receive a receipt and a pick-up date at the time documents are received.
- To claim your documents, please return no earlier than the cited date between 8 AM and 9 AM to pick up your completed certificate(s).
- The office will not accept requests that do not meet the criteria for Authentication/ Apostille or are missing supporting documentation for processing. An Authentications staff member will contact customers who drop off incomplete or ineligible requests.
- Customers must present proof of identification (valid national passport or state-issued photo ID or driver’s license) when submitting documents.
- Third-party requestors (commercial couriers or people submitting documents for authentication on behalf of others) must also present written authorization from request originator(s) to act on their behalf when submitting documents for review.
- The office will only offer same-day appointments and service to individuals and third parties for documented:
o Life-or-death emergencies (urgent illness, injury, death of immediate family member or prospective adoptee).
o Tangible proof of travel within 48 hours of submission.
o U.S. Federal Agencies’ Official Business.
o Deportation verification.
These customers will be given a receipt with a same-day appointment time when they submit their documents.
For more details you can contact the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications at 202-485-8000.
Physical address: 600 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Are you planning to use your official documents abroad? Make sure to get them authenticated first! Read our article about Document Authentication process, where we delve into the process of consular authentication, what it entails, and why it is essential for international recognition of your documents. Don’t miss out on important information before your next international move. Read now!