Guides
Federal Apostille Guides
Plain-English guides to federal apostilles — what they are, which office handles your document, how long it takes, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost weeks.
Quick answer
A federal apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State to authenticate documents signed by federal officials, such as FBI background checks and USCIS certificates. Start with what a federal apostille is, or jump to your specific document.
Start here
What Is a Federal Apostille?A federal apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State to authenticate federal documents for use abroad. What it is, what it looks like, which documents need one, and how to get it.8 min readFederal vs. State Apostille: Which One Do You Need?Federal and state apostilles are issued by different offices, and sending a document to the wrong one gets it returned. The one rule that decides it, a lookup table, and the tricky cases.7 min readApostille vs. Embassy Legalization: What’s the Difference?Hague Convention countries accept an apostille; others require embassy legalization. How each works for U.S. federal documents, how to check a country's status, and what it costs.7 min read
Process & timing
How Long Does a Federal Apostille Take?Realistic federal apostille timelines for 2026: document retrieval, Department of State processing, embassy legalization and translation.8 min read12 Reasons Apostille Requests Get Rejected — and How to Avoid ThemThe most common reasons federal apostille requests are rejected.8 min read
Getting your document
How to Get Certified Copies of SEC FilingsHow to request certified copies of SEC filings for foreign securities and corporate transactions.3 min readHow to Get FAA Records for Use Abroad (Aircraft & Pilot)How to order certified FAA aircraft registry records for an export sale, and how pilots request FAA verification of their certificate for a foreign licence conversion.5 min readHow to Get IRS Form 6166 (Form 8802 Step by Step)How to get IRS Form 6166, the U.S. tax residency certificate, by filing Form 8802.6 min readHow to Get Vaccination Records for Use AbroadWhere your vaccination records actually are.4 min readHow to Get Your I-94 Record and Travel HistoryHow to download your Form I-94 and U.S. travel history from CBP for free.5 min readHow to Get Your SF-50 and Federal Personnel RecordsHow current and former federal employees get SF-50s and Official Personnel Folder records.4 min readHow to Get a Certificate of Non-Existence of RecordHow to request a certificate proving a U.S. record doesn't exist.5 min readHow to Get a Certified Copy of Your DD-214How veterans and next of kin request a DD-214 or military service records from the National Personnel Records Center using eVetRecs or SF-180.5 min readHow to Get a Certified Copy of a Federal Court DocumentHow to get a clerk-certified copy of a federal judgment, order or bankruptcy record.5 min readHow to Get a Certified Copy of a Naturalization or Citizenship CertificateHow to obtain a USCIS certified copy of a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship with Form N-565.7 min readHow to Get a Copy of Your FCC LicenseHow to retrieve your FCC station or operator licence from the FCC's licensing system for use abroad, and which licence a foreign authority usually means.3 min readHow to Get a Marriage Certificate for Use AbroadHow to obtain a certified marriage certificate that a foreign authority will accept.5 min readHow to Get a Notarized Copy of a Passport or Green Card for Use AbroadHow to prepare a certified copy of a U.S. passport or green card that a foreign bank, registry or lawyer will accept.6 min readHow to Get a Social Security Benefit Verification LetterHow to download your Social Security benefit verification (proof of income) letter instantly from my Social Security, or request it by phone.4 min readHow to Get a USDA Export Certificate (FSIS, Phytosanitary or Animal Health)Which USDA export certificate you need.5 min readHow to Get a VA Benefit LetterHow to download a VA benefit summary or verification letter from VA.gov for a residency or retirement visa abroad.4 min readHow to Get an EIN Verification Letter (147C)Lost your IRS CP-575? How to get a 147C EIN verification letter from the IRS instead, and how it's used for foreign subsidiaries, banking and contracts.4 min readHow to Get an FDA Export Certificate (CFG, CPP or Free Sale)Which FDA export certificate you need.6 min readHow to Get an IRS Tax Transcript for Use AbroadHow to get an IRS tax transcript online or by mail.5 min readHow to Get an OPM Annuity Verification LetterHow federal retirees get an OPM annuity or pension verification letter for a residency or retirement visa abroad.4 min readHow to Order Certified Copies from the USPTOHow to order certified copies of patents, patent applications and trademark registrations from the USPTO for foreign filings.5 min readHow to Order Certified Records from the National ArchivesHow to find and order certified National Archives records.5 min readHow to Prepare a Power of Attorney for Use AbroadHow to prepare, sign and notarize a power of attorney that a foreign notary, registry or court will accept.5 min readHow to Replace a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)How to request a replacement Consular Report of Birth Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.5 min readHow to Request Your USCIS Immigration Records (Form G-639)How to request USCIS immigration records with a FOIA request.5 min read
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.