How to obtain the document
The USCIS 'How Do I Obtain an Authenticated Copy of a Certificate of Naturalization' guide could not be opened in this session. Industry guidance (unverified against USCIS) says to schedule an InfoPass-style appointment at the local USCIS field office with the original certificate, a photocopy and photo ID; an officer certifies the copy (Form G-24 Certified True Copy). Pre-1991 federal court naturalization records can be obtained as NARA certified copies ($25, red ribbon and gold seal) from the NARA regional office; post-1906 citizenship records are under USCIS exclusive custody (Genealogy/FOIA programs).
Why it goes to the U.S. Department of State
travel.state.gov lists 'DHS certificates of naturalization' as federal documents; USCIS is a federal agency, so DOS, not a state, authenticates the USCIS officer's signature.
Format the Office of Authentications accepts
A USCIS-certified true copy (or NARA-certified copy) bearing an original federal signature and seal. Do not notarize. Unauthorized reproduction of a naturalization certificate is barred by 18 U.S.C. 1426, so notaries will not certify copies.
Filing the request
- Keep the document unaltered
Do not notarize it, write on it or remove staples. Originals or agency-certified copies only.
- Complete Form DS-4194
Name the destination country for each document. Download DS-4194.
- Pay $20 per document
Check or money order payable to ‘U.S. Department of State’ by mail; card at the counter.
- Mail or hand-deliver
Mail: U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, 44132 Mercure Cir., PO Box 1206, Sterling, VA 20166-1206. Walk-in: Office of Authentications, 600 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, Drop-off and pick-up 7:30-9:00 a.m., Monday-Thursday, no appointment needed; processing about 7 business days. Max 15…
- Allow for processing
Mail-in: up to 5 weeks from receipt (tracking 'delivered' at the Sterling PO box does not mean processing has started; package takes several days to reach DC). Walk-in: about 7 business days.
Common reasons for rejection
- Notary-certified or self-made photocopy of the certificate.
- Original certificate submitted bare (DOS requires an original or certified copy with a federal official signature; the original is not normally surrendered for apostille purposes).
Practical notes
- NARA cannot issue apostilles; its certified copy must be sent to DOS by the requester.
- Only USCIS can issue a certification of non-existence of a post-1906 record.
Non-Hague destinations
For countries outside the Hague Convention the office issues an authentication certificate rather than an apostille, and the document must then be legalized at the destination's embassy or consulate in Washington. See embassy legalization.
Frequently asked questions
Can my state apostille a Certificate of Naturalization?
No. Only the U.S. Department of State authenticates federal signatures. A state can apostille a notarized copy, but many destinations will not accept that in place of the federal apostille on the original.
How much is the federal apostille fee?
$20 per document, payable to the U.S. Department of State. The fee is charged even if the request is returned unprocessed.
How long does it take?
Mail-in: up to 5 weeks from receipt (tracking 'delivered' at the Sterling PO box does not mean processing has started; package takes several days to reach DC). Walk-in: about 7 business days.
Should I notarize it first?
No. Notarizing a federal document makes it invalid for authentication at the Office of Authentications.
