Dual citizenship & foreign nationality
Many countries allow dual citizenship and require an apostilled USCIS naturalization certificate to confirm a person's U.S. citizenship when applying for or maintaining a second nationality.
Federal document apostille
USCIS Naturalization & Name Change Apostille.
We help naturalized U.S. citizens apostille USCIS certificates, citizenship records, and federal name change documents so they can be used abroad — for dual citizenship, foreign residency, registry updates, and visa applications.
- USCIS Form N-550 / N-560 / N-561 handled
- Federal name change records
- Mail-in service worldwide
This page covers USCIS naturalization records and federal name change documents only. For state-issued name change orders, those go through the state Secretary of State — contact us for that routing. For other federal records, return to the federal documents hub.
What this page covers
USCIS naturalization & name change apostille, end to end.
USCIS issues several federal documents that naturalized U.S. citizens commonly need to use abroad — Certificates of Naturalization (N-550), Certificates of Citizenship (N-560 / N-561), and federal name change records associated with naturalization. Foreign governments often require these to be apostilled before they will issue residency permits, update civil registries to reflect a new name, recognize dual citizenship, or process family-reunification applications. Because USCIS documents are federal records, they are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
Common reasons people need this
When a USCIS apostille is required.
Foreign residency permits & long-stay visas
Naturalized U.S. citizens applying for foreign residency permits or long-stay visas frequently need an apostilled N-550 or N-560 to confirm U.S. citizenship status.
Name change recognition abroad
When a naturalized citizen changed their name during the naturalization process, foreign civil registries often require an apostilled USCIS record to update marriage, birth, or property records to reflect the new legal name.
Family-reunification & immigration cases
Foreign immigration authorities processing family-reunification applications for relatives of naturalized U.S. citizens routinely request apostilled USCIS records as proof of the petitioner's citizenship and identity.
How it works
Three steps from USCIS record to apostille.
Send us a scan of your USCIS document
Email or text a clear scan of your Certificate of Naturalization (N-550), Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 / N-561), or federal name change record. We confirm whether your current document is eligible for apostille or if a replacement (N-565) should be requested first.
Request a replacement if needed
If your USCIS document is damaged, lost, or contains errors, we walk you through filing Form N-565 (Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document) and tell you what to expect for current USCIS processing times.
We apostille and return
Once your USCIS record is in the proper format, we route it through the U.S. Department of State for federal apostille (or authentication plus consular legalization for non-Hague countries), track progress, and return the document by secure mail or courier. If California-issued civil records 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
Accepted & rejected USCIS records.
Will be accepted
- Original Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) issued by USCIS
- Original Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) issued by USCIS
- Replacement certificates issued via Form N-565
- Federal name change records associated with naturalization proceedings
Will be rejected
- Photocopies, scans, or notarized copies of a USCIS certificate (apostille goes on the federal original itself)
- Damaged, laminated, or altered certificates with broken seals or unclear text
- State-issued name change orders (those go through the state Secretary of State, not federal)
- Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) — those are not naturalization records and cannot be apostilled the same way
Realistic timelines
USCIS apostille processing time.
Hague Apostille countries
- Federal apostille — issued by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications.
- Standard processing — typically several weeks; current State Department times fluctuate.
- Replacement certificate (N-565) — add 6–12 months for USCIS to issue if your original is missing or damaged.
Non-Hague countries
- Federal authentication at the U.S. Department of State (same step as apostille).
- Consular legalization — add 2–6 weeks at the destination country's embassy or consulate in the U.S.
- We coordinate the full chain so you don't have to chase multiple offices.
Before you contact us
Have these ready for a clear USCIS apostille plan.
USCIS apostille checklist
- Country where the document will be used
- Type of USCIS document (N-550, N-560, N-561, name change)
- Whether you have the original certificate or need to request a replacement (N-565)
- Naturalization name vs. current legal name (and any name change history)
- Type of foreign process (dual citizenship, residency, registry update, family case)
- Whether the destination country is in the Hague Apostille Convention
Good to know
- Federal, not state: USCIS records are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, not California or another state Secretary of State.
- Replacement takes time: if you need an N-565 first, expect 6–12 months for USCIS to issue. Plan deadlines accordingly.
- Translation: the apostille does not translate the document. Certified translation, if required, happens after apostille.
USCIS apostille FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Can you apostille a copy of my Certificate of Naturalization?
Foreign authorities generally require the federal original — not a photocopy or notarized copy. If your original is lost or damaged, we can guide you through filing Form N-565 to request a replacement from USCIS before apostille.
Is a Certificate of Citizenship (N-560) different from a Certificate of Naturalization (N-550)?
Yes. N-550 is issued to people who naturalized through the standard process. N-560 / N-561 is issued to people who derived U.S. citizenship through a parent. Both are federal USCIS documents and both are apostilled the same way through the State Department.
Can I apostille my Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)?
No. Green Cards are not naturalization or citizenship records and are not apostille-eligible. If you need to prove U.S. immigration status abroad, USCIS verification of status letters may be possible — contact us for case-specific guidance.
How long does it take if I need a replacement N-565 first?
USCIS currently takes roughly 6–12 months to issue an N-565 replacement, then federal apostille adds several weeks on top. We strongly recommend starting the N-565 as soon as you know you'll need the document abroad.
My name on the naturalization certificate is different from my current name — does that matter?
Yes. Foreign authorities often require a documented chain connecting the naturalization name to your current name (marriage certificates, court orders, etc.). We help map out what supporting documents your destination country requires.
Do I need consular legalization in addition to the apostille?
Only if your destination country is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. For Hague countries, the apostille alone is sufficient.
Other federal documents