Federal apostille through the U.S. Department of State.
Federal documents — FBI checks, naturalization, Social Security, IRS certifications — are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, not a state office. We prepare, submit, and return the federal apostille, ready to use abroad.
- Apostille through the U.S. Dept. of State
- We can obtain the underlying federal record
- Certified translation coordinated when required
- Tracked return shipping included
Get your free apostille quote
Tell us what you need — a specialist replies with a flat, all-in quote. No obligation.
What is a federal apostille?
A federal apostille authenticates a U.S. federal document so it's legally recognized in another country belonging to the Hague Apostille Convention.
Only the U.S. Department of State can apostille federal records. A state Secretary of State cannot — sending a federal document to a state office is the most common reason these requests bounce.
We confirm the correct authority, prepare the submission to the Department of State's Office of Authentications, and return your apostilled document ready to use abroad.
At a glance
- Document
- U.S. federal records
- Issuing authority
- U.S. Department of State
- Office
- Authentications, Washington, DC
- Apostille type
- Federal
- Translation
- Coordinated when required
- Non-Hague countries
- Embassy legalization
Federal records we apostille
If a U.S. federal agency issued or signed it, it needs a federal apostille. The most common ones:
Not sure if yours is federal or state? Tell us the document and we'll confirm the correct path.
From document to apostille, in four steps
- 1
Confirm it's federal
We check whether your document is a federal record — if it is, it routes to the U.S. Department of State, not a state office.
- 2
Federal apostille
We prepare and submit it to the Department of State's Office of Authentications in Washington, DC.
- 3
Translation, if required
If your destination country requires it, we coordinate a certified translation of the apostilled document.
- 4
Delivered to you
Your completed, apostilled document ships back tracked — to you or straight to your destination.
For Spain, your apostille often needs a sworn Traductor-Intérprete Jurado translation
For Spanish visa categories that require an FBI background check, the FBI certificate and its federal apostille must be accompanied by an official Spanish translation when required by BLS or the applicable Spanish consulate. That translation must be completed by a qualified Traductor-Intérprete Jurado — a standard or non-compliant translation can cause the application to be delayed, considered incomplete, or rejected.
Apostille Near Me has a MAEC-appointed Traductor-Intérprete Jurado on our international team — so you can coordinate your FBI background check, federal apostille, and official Spanish translation through one trusted service.
What we handle
Everything the federal apostille needs, in one place
Obtaining the record, the Department of State apostille, certified translation, and legalization — handled by one team, in the right order.
U.S. Dept. of State apostille
The only authority that can authenticate federal documents for use abroad.
We obtain the record
FBI channeling, plus help requesting Social Security, IRS, and other federal documents.
Certified translation
Coordinated in-house when your destination country requires it alongside the apostille.
Embassy legalization
For countries outside the Hague Convention, we arrange consulate legalization instead.
About 10 business days
Federal apostilles through the U.S. Department of State are typically completed in about 10 business days, with a clear timeline up front.
Tracked return shipping
Your originals come back tracked and insured, or ship directly to your destination.
- 50
- U.S. states + D.C. covered
- 132
- Google reviews · 5.0★
- 120+
- Hague countries served
- 2
- San Diego offices
A real, verifiable apostille
Your document comes back with an official apostille certificate attached — accepted in every Hague Convention country and verifiable online. Below is an example (personal details redacted), with what clients say.
“Fantastic service! Frank was really helpful navigating this complex European requirement. Would highly recommend.”
“I needed to apostille a number of documents, for residency abroad, and Apostille Near Me handled everything in a very timely manner. Frank runs a fantastic operation and really cares about his customers.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Apostille Near Me, specifically Frank, and the process couldn't have gone any better. Excellent communication and very professional! I look forward to working with them again in the future.”
“Fast, friendly and great location. Thank you Frank. Highest recommendation.”
Why people apostille federal documents
- Dual citizenship & residency
- Work or teaching visas abroad
- Immigration & adoption
- International business
- Study abroad
- Overseas employment
Turnaround & pricing
Federal apostilles through the U.S. Department of State are typically completed in about 10 business days. We give you a realistic timeline and a flat price up front.
Get a free quoteWhat affects your timeline & cost
Federal apostilles run on the U.S. Department of State's clock, the single biggest factor in your timeline. Here's everything that moves it — so your quote reflects reality, not a best case.
Do we obtain the record?
If we channel your FBI check or help request your Social Security, IRS, or naturalization document, that adds a step. If you already hold the certified record, we begin at the apostille.
Department of State processing
Federal apostilles are issued only by the Department of State's Office of Authentications, and their current processing time is the main driver of your timeline. We quote their live estimate.
Typical timeline
Most federal apostilles are completed in about 10 business days; we confirm the current Department of State estimate up front.
Certified translation
If your destination requires a translation, we coordinate a certified one in the correct order, which adds a little time and cost.
Non-Hague destination
For countries outside the Hague Convention we arrange embassy legalization instead — more steps, handled through the destination's consulate.
Return shipping
Tracked domestic return is included; international or expedited courier to your destination is quoted up front, with no markup surprises.
Ready for your federal apostille?
A flat quote and a realistic timeline within one business day.
Federal apostille questions, answered
Straight answers to what clients ask us most about federal apostilles. Don't see yours? We're one call away.
What is a federal apostille?+
A federal apostille is authentication of a U.S. federal document by the U.S. Department of State so it is recognized in Hague Apostille Convention countries. Federal records — FBI checks, naturalization, Social Security, IRS documents — can only be apostilled by the Department of State, not a state Secretary of State.
Which documents need a federal apostille?+
FBI background checks, Certificates of Naturalization or Citizenship, Social Security benefit and coverage letters, IRS residency certifications (Form 6166), FDA certificates, U.S. patents and trademarks, and any document signed by a U.S. federal official.
Where does a federal apostille come from?+
The U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications in Washington, DC. We prepare, submit, and track the request for you.
How long does a federal apostille take?+
Federal apostilles through the U.S. Department of State are typically completed in about 10 business days. We give you a realistic timeline up front.
Can you also obtain the underlying federal document?+
Yes. For example, we can channel your FBI Identity History Summary or help request Social Security and IRS documents, then complete the apostille in one process.
My destination country isn't in the Hague Convention — what then?+
We arrange embassy or consulate legalization instead of an apostille, plus any required certified translation.
Still have a question? Call us at 1-800-889-7850
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Ready for your federal apostille?
Tell us your document and destination country — a specialist replies within one business day with a flat quote.