Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often about federal apostille and authentication service. If you do not see your question here, reach out on our Contact page.
What is a federal apostille?+
A federal apostille is a certificate issued by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, that verifies a document issued by a federal agency so it can be recognized in another country. It attaches to federally issued documents, such as FBI background checks or letters from agencies like the IRS, FDA, USDA, USPTO, or SSA, and confirms the document to receiving officials abroad.
Do I need an apostille or an authentication?+
It depends on where your document is going. If the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you need an apostille. If the destination country is not a member of the Hague Convention, you need an authentication certificate instead, which is typically followed by an embassy legalization step. Tell us the destination country when you place your order and we will help route your document correctly.
How do I get an FBI background check apostilled? Does a No Record result qualify?+
You send us your original FBI background check (also called an Identity History Summary) and we hand deliver it to the Office of Authentications for the apostille or authentication. A No Record result is still an official FBI document and qualifies for a federal apostille or authentication the same as a result that lists a record.
Should I have my document notarized first?+
Only if you have been specifically instructed to. Do not add a notarization to a document that already needs a federal authentication, since an unnecessary or improperly timed notarization can void the authentication and delay or invalidate your order. If you are unsure whether your document needs notarization, contact us before adding one.
How long does the process take?+
Processing time begins once your documents physically arrive at our receiving address, not on the date you place your order. From that point, federal processing generally runs from about 5 to 12 business days depending on the service level you choose. Shipping time to and from our office is separate and depends on your carrier, which is outside of our control.
Do you handle state issued documents, like birth certificates?+
No. We only process federally issued documents. State issued documents, such as state vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates) or state notarized documents, go through a different apostille process at the state level, which is a separate service that we do not offer.
What happens with non Hague countries and the embassy step?+
For destination countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the U.S. Department of State issues an authentication certificate rather than an apostille. We complete this federal authentication step and ship your documents back to you. From there, you are responsible for completing the embassy or consular legalization step for the destination country, since that step takes place outside of our service.
Is my document safe?+
Yes. We handle original documents carefully throughout the process, from receipt through hand delivery to the Office of Authentications and return shipping. If you upload document photos to us, those images are stored privately with access limited to authorized personnel who need them to process your order.
How do I pay?+
Orders are paid in full online at checkout through our payment processor when you submit your order.
Who do I contact if I have a question?+
You can reach our team by phone, email, or mail. Visit our Contact page for full details, including our Washington, DC office address.