How to obtain the document
See the issuing agency.
Why it goes to the U.S. Department of State
Issued by a federal agency (IRS); travel.state.gov lists federal documents generally as those signed by a U.S. federal official.
Format the Office of Authentications accepts
Must satisfy the general federal rule: original IRS-issued document with an official's legible signature, printed name and title, agency seal/letterhead and issue date. Many IRS transcripts and computer-generated notices carry no signature or seal, so eligibility is not confirmed from any official page opened; verify with the office before paying the $20 fee.
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
- Computer-generated IRS transcripts/notices with no official signature or seal.
- Notarized copies of IRS letters.
Practical notes
- An alternative accepted by many destinations is a notarized affidavit or copy certification routed through the state apostille process.
- Form 6166 is the IRS document DOS explicitly recognizes for apostille.
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 IRS EIN Letters & Transcripts?
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.
