USCIS Naturalization & Name Change Apostille Los Angeles
Apostille service for USCIS naturalization certificates, citizenship documents, and court name change orders. We help Los Angeles clients prepare federal immigration records for authentication or apostille so they are accepted overseas the first time.
Help with USCIS naturalization certificates and federal name change documents
When you apply for dual citizenship, register a marriage, fix name mismatches, or update records abroad, foreign authorities often ask to see your U.S. naturalization and name change paperwork with the proper authentication or apostille.
We help clients across Los Angeles confirm whether they should use a USCIS-issued certified true copy of their Certificate of Naturalization, a USCIS status letter, or a certified U.S. court name change order and then coordinate the state, DOJ, and U.S. Department of State steps so the documents are accepted overseas without repeated submissions.
Before you schedule, we review scans of your documents, your destination country, and any written instructions from foreign consulates, registries, or attorneys so you know exactly which version of each record you need and whether it will follow a state or federal path.
This page covers USCIS naturalization and name change documents specifically. For other federal records, visit our federal documents apostille hub, or see related pages for FBI background checks, consular birth reports (CRBA), and National Archives records.
Experience with USCIS naturalization and name change paperwork for overseas use
- Handle cases where foreign authorities request proof of U.S. citizenship, naturalization dates, or name changes, including dual citizenship, passport, civil registry, and pension files.
- Review your naturalization certificate images, USCIS letters, and court orders to confirm whether they qualify for state-level authentication, federal apostille, or a combined DOJ and U.S. Department of State process.
- Guidance when consulates, registries, or banks abroad have strict rules about original certificates, certified true copies, translations, or how many apostilled copies you must provide.
- Clear explanations of realistic timelines and fees for state, DOJ, and federal steps so you can plan around citizenship appointments, passport applications, or travel.
Recent clients have used our USCIS and name change apostille help for dual citizenship recognition, foreign passport issuance, marriage and divorce filings, inheritance cases, and correcting name mismatches on foreign property and bank records.
How USCIS naturalization & name change apostille service works
1. We review your documents and destination requirements.
You can email or text clear scans of your naturalization certificate, USCIS notices or letters, and any court name change orders together with the instructions from the foreign authority. We confirm which documents can be used as‑is, which must be reissued or certified, and whether they will follow a state, DOJ, or federal U.S. Department of State path.
2. We help you obtain the correct certified copies or certifications, if needed.
If your naturalization certificate is damaged, your USCIS printouts are not official, or your name change order is missing a proper court certification, we explain how to request a USCIS certified true copy, an updated status letter, or a certified court copy that will be accepted for apostille or authentication.
3. We coordinate the apostille or authentication and return your documents.
Once the correct documents are ready, we coordinate the state, DOJ, and U.S. Department of State steps required for your destination country and arrange secure delivery back to you or directly to your attorney, consulate, or foreign registry where appropriate.
Processing times depend on whether your case uses a state apostille only, a DOJ plus U.S. Department of State path, or full consular legalization for non‑Hague countries. We outline realistic ranges and options before you decide how to proceed.
Common USCIS and name change documents Los Angeles clients use overseas
USCIS Certificate of Naturalization (via certified true copy or status letter)
Many foreign authorities want proof of your U.S. citizenship and the date you became a citizen. In some situations, it is safer to use a USCIS certified true copy or status confirmation instead of sending your original naturalization certificate overseas. We help you understand what the foreign office will accept and how to request the right document from USCIS.
USCIS correspondence and status letters
For certain residency, pension, or identity cases abroad, you may need an official USCIS letter that confirms your status or clarifies how your name appears in their records. We review the foreign instructions, confirm whether a USCIS letter or another agency is involved, and explain when federal authentication or apostille is required.
U.S. federal and state court name change orders
Name change orders are often required when foreign authorities see different versions of your name on passports, birth records, and naturalization documents. We help you determine whether your order is from a state court or a U.S. District Court and then follow the appropriate path. For federal court orders, see our federal court documents page.
Linked family court and identity documents
Some cases require a package of documents, such as a birth certificate, marriage or divorce decree, and name change order, all showing how your name evolved over time. We help you build a clean chain of documents and ensure that each item is properly certified and apostilled or legalized in the sequence your foreign authority expects to see.
Questions about apostilling USCIS and name change documents
Do I send my naturalization certificate itself, or a certified copy?
Some countries will accept a USCIS certified true copy or status confirmation instead of the original naturalization certificate, while others may insist on an original document. We review the foreign instructions and help you decide which option balances safety and acceptance so you are not forced to replace an irreplaceable certificate later.
Is my name change order handled at the state or federal level?
Most name change orders from state courts are apostilled by the Secretary of State in the state where the order was issued. Orders from U.S. District Courts or other federal courts usually require certification by the U.S. Department of Justice and then authentication or apostille by the U.S. Department of State. We help you identify which path applies to your specific order.
Can I fix name mismatches without a formal court order?
In some cases, foreign authorities accept sworn statements or additional documents instead of a name change order, but many insist on a formal court order or clear chain of records. We can discuss what your destination typically requires and whether it makes sense to obtain a court order before investing in apostilles or legalizations.
Do I need translations together with the apostille?
Many countries require translations of your naturalization and name change documents, sometimes by sworn or certified translators. We flag when translations are commonly required for your destination so you can decide whether to arrange them before or after the apostille or legalization steps and avoid having to repeat work.
How long does it take to apostille USCIS and name change documents?
Timelines vary depending on whether your case is state-only, involves DOJ and the U.S. Department of State, or requires a full consular legalization chain for a non‑Hague country. We review your deadline, outline current timing ranges, and suggest whether standard or faster courier options are realistic for your situation.
Share a few details and get a clear plan
You can call, text, or send copies of your naturalization and name change documents so we can confirm what is needed and outline a realistic apostille or legalization timeline before you book.
When you contact us, it helps to include:
- Which documents you have now (naturalization certificate, USCIS letters, court name change orders, vital records, etc.).
- The country where the documents will be used and any instructions you received from a consulate, registry, bank, or attorney.
- Your deadline and whether you are in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Orange County, or Ventura County.
We will confirm fees, any USCIS, court, or consular requirements, mailing or courier options, and the expected 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.