CRBA & Birth Abroad apostille
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (FS-240) and related State Department records used for dual citizenship, foreign passports, and registry filings overseas.
Federal Document Apostille
Federal Document Apostille for FBI, USCIS, Federal Court & State Department Records.
We help you turn U.S. federal records — FBI background checks, USCIS certificates, federal court documents, CRBA / CRODA, and NARA archives — into apostilled documents foreign authorities can accept.
- U.S. Department of State routing
- Hague and non-Hague countries
- Mail-in service nationwide & worldwide
Document pre‑review
We confirm the right certified copy, issuing office, and federal apostille path before you ship anything.
Federal & consular paths
U.S. Department of State authentication and consular legalization chains for non-Hague countries.
Mail‑in welcome
Start online from anywhere in the U.S. or abroad and receive your apostilled federal records back by secure courier.
Federal document types
Pick the federal document that matches your situation.
Each federal document type follows a different path through the U.S. Department of State. Start with the specific record you need apostilled — every spoke page explains accepted formats, timelines, and what to send.
CRODA & Death Abroad apostille
Consular Reports of Death Abroad used for estate settlement, foreign probate, insurance claims, and registry closures when a U.S. citizen dies overseas.
FBI background check apostille
FBI Identity History Summary reports (Channeler or direct) used for visa, residency, work permit, citizenship, and teaching applications worldwide.
Federal court document apostille
Certified U.S. District Court judgments, bankruptcy orders, federal naturalization records, and Court of Appeals documents used in foreign courts and immigration matters.
NARA & federal archive apostille
National Archives (NARA) and National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) certified records — military service files, federal pensions, and historical documents.
USCIS naturalization & name change apostille
USCIS naturalization certificates (N-550), citizenship certificates (N-560/N-561), replacement certificates (N-565), and federal name change records used abroad.
Faster than mail-in
Washington DC hand-delivery for federal documents.
Federal U.S. documents can only be apostilled at the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington DC, not by a state Secretary of State. Standard processing is 4–8 weeks. Our expedited route is generally 7–10 business days when available. See Washington DC federal Apostille pricing and timing →
Federal pricing and turnaround
How much does a federal document apostille cost?
The base price is $175 for a personal document or $250 for a business document. The applicable $20 U.S. Department of State fee is included.
Standard federal processing
Plan on 4–8 weeks after we receive an eligible federal document. We confirm the current route and estimate before you send an original.
Expedited federal processing
Expedited service is generally 7–10 business days when available. The additional expedite fee is $100–$150, depending on the document and routing.
Non-Hague legalization
Documents for non-Hague countries may also need consular legalization. That uncommon multi-stage process is quoted separately after we review the destination and document.
Federal processing times can change. Review the U.S. Department of State authentication guidance. Last verified September 2026.
When you need this
Common reasons people apostille federal documents.
Most federal document apostille orders come from a handful of situations. Knowing the destination country and intended use helps us choose the right channel and routing.
Visa, residency & work permits
FBI background checks, USCIS records, and federal court documents requested for visa, residency, and work permit applications abroad.
Dual citizenship & foreign passports
CRBA documents, USCIS naturalization certificates, and NARA archives used to claim dual citizenship or register foreign passports.
Estates & foreign probate
CRODA documents, federal court probate records, and supporting federal documents used to settle estates and probate matters in another country.
Citizenship by descent & genealogy
NARA military records, federal pension files, and immigration records used to prove ancestry for citizenship-by-descent applications.
Process
How a federal apostille order works with us.
Federal documents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State — not a Secretary of State. We focus on getting the federal record, signatures, and routing right before any envelope leaves your hands.
Step 1 — Share the record and destination country
- Text or email a photo of the federal document and any consulate, attorney, or employer instructions.
- We confirm whether the document is a certified federal record, who issued it, and whether the destination country is Hague or non-Hague.
Step 2 — Confirm the right certified federal copy
- We flag when the record is too old, lacks the required federal signature, or needs to be re-issued by USCIS, the FBI, NARA, or a federal court.
- We guide you through ordering the correct certified copy before you commit to apostille fees and shipping.
Step 3 — Submit to U.S. Department of State
- We prepare the federal apostille application, fees, and return instructions for the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications.
- For non‑Hague countries, we coordinate follow-on consular legalization steps with the appropriate embassy.
- When California-issued documents are also part of the package, our same-day apostille service in Los Angeles can handle the state-side portion the same afternoon.
Step 4 — Return delivery
- Federal apostilles are attached to the certified record and returned by secure courier worldwide.
- You receive clear instructions for presenting the apostilled record abroad so it is recognized properly.
Before you send anything
Quick checklist for federal documents.
A few details on the front end prevent most delays and rejections at the U.S. Department of State. We walk through this list with you when you call or text.
- Confirm whether the document is a genuine federal record (issued by USCIS, FBI, NARA, federal court, or U.S. Department of State).
- Check that the certificate carries the original federal signature and seal — photocopies, scans, and notarized copies are not accepted.
- Note the destination country and whether it is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Gather any related federal documents your attorney, consulate, or employer requested.
- Know your deadline so we can recommend standard versus rush routes.
- Decide whether we should return the apostilled record to you, an attorney, a foreign office, or a consulate.
Federal documents FAQ
Questions about federal document apostilles.
Which federal documents can you help apostille?
We routinely help apostille FBI Identity History Summary reports, USCIS naturalization and citizenship certificates, federal court records, Consular Reports of Birth and Death Abroad (CRBA / CRODA), and National Archives records used internationally.
Do federal documents go through the U.S. Department of State?
Yes. Genuine federal documents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications, not by any state Secretary of State. We confirm the correct routing before you mail originals.
How much does a federal document apostille cost?
Our base price is $175 for a personal document or $250 for a business document. The applicable $20 U.S. Department of State fee is included. Expedited federal processing adds $100–$150, depending on the document and routing.
How long does federal document apostille take?
Plan on 4–8 weeks for standard federal processing. Expedited federal processing is generally 7–10 business days when available. We confirm the current route and estimate before you send an original document.
Can you help if I am outside California or the United States?
Yes. Most federal apostille work is handled by mail. We coordinate the order with you from anywhere in the U.S. or abroad and return your apostilled federal documents by secure courier.