NARA & Federal Archive Apostille Los Angeles
Apostille service for National Archives (NARA) records and federal archive documents. We help Los Angeles clients get historical court files, immigration records, military service records, and other federal archives certified and apostilled for use abroad. Serving all of California by mail.
Make your National Archives and federal records valid in another country
Some U.S. federal records are stored at the National Archives or federal record centers and must be certified by NARA before they can be authenticated and apostilled for use overseas.
These records can include historical federal court files, older immigration and naturalization records, certain military and service documents, and other long‑term federal archives. Foreign authorities often require certified copies with apostille to rely on them in citizenship, estate, or legal matters.
We help you determine which NARA facility or record center holds your file, how to request certified copies that meet apostille standards, and how those certifications must be routed through the U.S. Department of State or other federal offices for apostille or authentication.
This page covers National Archives records specifically. For other federal records, visit our federal documents apostille hub, or see related pages for FBI background checks, federal court documents, and USCIS/naturalization records.
Experience with NARA certifications and federal apostille
- Assist with apostilles for records held at National Archives facilities, regional archives, and federal record centers, including older court, immigration, and military files.
- Review any reference numbers, archival research results, or sample pages you already have so you know exactly what to request as a certified copy for apostille.
- Clarify which signatures and seals NARA or the relevant federal office must provide so the U.S. Department of State can authenticate and apostille the record.
- Set realistic expectations about NARA and federal processing times, which are often longer than standard state apostilles, and help you plan around foreign deadlines.
Many clients first contact NARA or a record center on their own and then discover that foreign authorities are asking for "certified archival copy with apostille." We help bridge the gap between archival research and properly legalized documents.
How NARA & federal archive apostille works
1. We review your records and destination requirements.
You can share any NARA reference numbers, researcher emails, or sample images you already have, along with instructions from your foreign consulate, court, or attorney. We determine which archive or record center is responsible and what type of certified copy is acceptable for apostille.
2. We help you request certified copies from NARA or the record center.
If no certified copies have been issued yet, we provide step‑by‑step guidance for requesting them from the correct NARA facility or federal office, including language to specify seals, signatures, and certifications that will be recognized by the U.S. Department of State.
3. We coordinate federal authentication, apostille, and return delivery.
Once the archival documents are certified, we route them through the appropriate federal authentication and apostille or legalization process, monitor progress, and return the completed documents to you or your law firm by mail or courier. For non‑Hague countries, we outline any additional consular steps after federal authentication.
Archival records can involve multiple agencies and longer wait times. We explain the full path up front and keep you updated so you can coordinate with foreign authorities, genealogists, or attorneys.
When clients apostille National Archives and federal records
Citizenship and nationality applications
People applying for citizenship or nationality abroad based on ancestry may need apostilled copies of old federal court, immigration, or naturalization records stored at NARA. For current USCIS certificates, see our USCIS apostille page.
Estate, probate, and inheritance matters
Foreign courts handling estates or property sometimes require apostilled archival records, such as old federal court decisions or military service files, to confirm identity or status of a deceased person.
Historical research with legal implications
Researchers and attorneys may need apostilled NARA documents when historical findings are used as evidence in foreign legal disputes or restitution claims.
Military and service documentation abroad
In some countries, veterans' benefits, pensions, or honorary recognitions require apostilled copies of U.S. federal military records obtained through archives or record centers.
Questions about apostilling National Archives documents
Can I apostille photocopies of archival documents I already have?
Photocopies or research prints are usually not enough. For apostille, foreign authorities typically require certified copies issued by NARA or the relevant federal office, bearing official seals and signatures. We help you request the correct certified version.
Do all federal records go through NARA?
Not always. Some recent records are still held by the original agency or a federal record center. We review your situation and explain whether NARA, a record center, or the issuing agency is responsible for certifying your documents before apostille.
How long do National Archives requests take?
Timeframes vary depending on the type of record and how far it must be retrieved. It can range from a few weeks to several months. We factor these timelines into your overall apostille plan and recommend starting as early as possible.
Can I notarize archival records locally instead of using NARA certification?
Local notarization of copies usually will not satisfy foreign or federal requirements for archival records. The safer route is to obtain certified copies directly from NARA or the responsible federal office and then proceed through the proper federal authentication and apostille process.
What if my destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention?
Non‑Hague countries often require federal authentication followed by consular legalization rather than an apostille. We can outline the steps for your specific country so you know whether you need an apostille, additional certificates, or consular processing.
Serving Los Angeles in person and clients worldwide by mail
Share any NARA reference numbers, agency correspondence, or sample pages along with your destination country so we can confirm what is required and outline a realistic timeline for certification and apostille.
We regularly help clients in Los Angeles, across California, and abroad turn archival research into certified, apostilled documents for use in foreign citizenship, estate, and legal matters. Mail‑in options are available even if you no longer live near the United States.
When you reach out, it helps to include:
- What type of record you need (court file, immigration record, military record, or other federal document).
- Any archival reference numbers or emails you already received from NARA or a record center.
- The country where the documents will be used and any application or court deadlines you are facing.
We will confirm fees, archive and federal requirements, mailing or courier options, and the expected overall timeline before finalizing your appointment.
For an overview of all document types and countries we handle, visit our apostille services page or return to mobile notary and apostille services in Los Angeles.