Federal document apostille
From military service records to federal pension files and certified historical documents, we help genealogists, families, and attorneys apostille National Archives records for citizenship-by-descent applications, foreign estate matters, and international research projects.
This page covers National Archives (NARA) and federal archive records only. For current vital records or other federal documents, return to the federal documents hub.
What this page covers
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) holds historical federal records — military service files, federal pension records, immigration and naturalization records, ship passenger lists, federal census records, and other certified historical documents. Foreign governments frequently require apostilled NARA records for citizenship-by-descent applications (especially Italy, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Mexico, and Eastern Europe), foreign estate matters tied to U.S. ancestry, and international academic or genealogical research projects.
Common reasons people need this
Italy (jure sanguinis), Ireland (Foreign Births Register), Germany, Poland, Mexico, and many other countries require apostilled NARA records — naturalization files, immigration manifests, military records — to establish ancestral lineage.
Foreign pension agencies, veterans' organizations, and military attaché offices may request apostilled NARA military service records for surviving family members applying for benefits or recognition abroad.
International estate cases that depend on documenting U.S. ancestry — heir-tracing, lineage verification, inherited property abroad — often require apostilled NARA records as primary-source evidence.
Universities, archives, and research institutions abroad sometimes request apostilled certified copies of NARA records when integrating U.S. historical documents into formal research projects or publications.
How it works
We help you identify which NARA branch holds the record you need (St. Louis NPRC for military, Washington DC for naturalizations, regional branches for census and immigration). We tell you exactly what to request so the resulting certified copy is eligible for apostille.
NARA produces certified copies with the official archival seal and signature of the appropriate certifying officer. Standard photocopies or downloaded PDFs without the seal are not apostille-eligible.
We route the certified NARA copies through the U.S. Department of State for federal apostille (or authentication plus consular legalization for non-Hague countries), track progress, and return the completed document by secure mail or courier — anywhere in the world. If California-issued documents are part of the same package, our same-day apostille service in Los Angeles can handle the state-side portion the same afternoon.
What will and won't be accepted
Realistic timelines
Before you contact us
NARA apostille FAQ
No. Genealogy sites provide images but not certified copies. Foreign governments require a certified copy issued directly by NARA with the official archival seal and a certifying officer's signature. We can help you identify which NARA branch to request from.
Military service records are held at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis. You can request them through eVetRecs or by mail. We can help you identify exactly what to request so the certified copy is eligible for apostille.
All major jure sanguinis / citizenship-by-descent programs accept apostilled NARA records as primary-source evidence — Italy, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, and others. Each consulate has its own specific record list; we help match your case.
Realistic end-to-end planning is 3–6 months. NARA certification alone often takes 6–12 weeks (longer for NPRC military records), and federal apostille adds several more weeks. We provide a case-specific estimate up front.
Only if your destination country is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. For Hague countries (which includes nearly all major citizenship-by-descent destinations), the apostille alone is sufficient.
Yes — and you should, if multiple generations or family members need apostilled records. Ordering extras up front is much cheaper than re-requesting later.
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