How to obtain the document
The passport itself is not apostilled. Make a copy of the bio page and have the copy notarized (copy certification or an affidavit that it is a true copy) by a state notary.
Why it goes to the U.S. Department of State
Not federal: travel.state.gov expressly lists 'copy of a U.S. passport bio page' among STATE documents. The notary's signature is authenticated by the state Secretary of State (apostille for Hague countries). It reaches the Office of Authentications only for non-Hague countries, after state certification, for the federal authentication certificate before embassy legalization.
Format the Office of Authentications accepts
Notarized copy certified by the Secretary of State of the notary's commissioning state (county clerk certification first where required). Never mail the physical passport.
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
- Sending a bare photocopy or the passport book itself to DOS.
- Notarized copy sent to DOS for a Hague country (state apostille is the final step).
Practical notes
- Some states prohibit notary copy certification of identity documents; use an affidavit signed by the holder instead.
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 U.S. Passport Copy?
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.
