Guide
Form DS-4194: Request for Authentications Service, Explained
The one form the U.S. Department of State requires with every apostille or authentication request — what each section asks for and the mistakes that get requests denied.
Quick answer
Form DS-4194 is the U.S. Department of State’s Request for Authentications Service. You submit one form per individual or company with your documents and a $20 fee per document; without it, the request is denied. Download it from eforms.state.gov, fill it in with black ink, and list the country where each document will be used.
Key takeaways
- Required with every request to the Office of Authentications — mail or walk-in.
- One form per individual or company; list each document and its country of use in Section 4.
- Fee: $20 per document, not per page; pay the exact total.
- Walk-in limit: 15 documents per customer or company; by mail, add continuation sheets.
- No corrections: if you make a mistake, start a new form.
On this page
What is Form DS-4194?
DS-4194 is the form the U.S. Department of State uses to process requests for apostille and authentication certificates. Individuals, companies and government agencies all use it. It tells the Office of Authentications who you are, how to return the documents, which documents you’re sending and which country each one is going to — the country decides whether you get an apostille or an authentication certificate.
Where to get the current form
Download it from the Department’s official forms site: eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds4194.PDF. The edition in use is dated 01-2023, with an OMB expiration date of 10-31-2026 — the Department may publish a newer edition, so always download the form fresh rather than reusing an old copy. There is no charge for the form itself.
DS-4194 section by section
| Section | What it asks for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Customer contact information | Name, email, phone, mailing address. Federal agencies add the agency name and office for official business. | Use an email you check — questions about your request come here. |
| 2. Shipping details (mail-in only) | Return method (self-addressed stamped envelope, UPS, DHL or other) and tracking number. | Everything returns to one address. FedEx and multiple envelopes are not used for returns. |
| 3. Courier / representative | Whether someone is submitting or collecting for you, and their name, company and phone. | Whoever picks up must show government-issued photo ID. |
| 4. Document information | Country of use, document type, number of documents, fee per document, document label. | The country of use is essential — it decides apostille vs. authentication. |
| 5. Projected cost | Number of documents × $20. | Pay exactly this amount. |
Fee and payment
The fee is $20 per document, not per page, and it is charged whether the Department issues a certificate or a correspondence letter explaining why it couldn’t. By mail, pay by check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State” — never cash. In person, the Department’s current instructions call for a credit or debit card or contactless payment.
Where to send it
Mail the form, documents, payment and prepaid return envelope to U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, 44132 Mercure Circle, P.O. Box 1206, Sterling, VA 20166-1206, using USPS with tracking. Or drop everything off at 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, Monday–Thursday between 7:30 and 9:00 AM. Mailed requests are processed within 5 weeks of receipt; drop-offs within 7 business days. See the Department of State apostille guide for every route.
The 15-document limit
Walk-in service accepts a maximum of 15 documents per customer or company. Mail-in requests can include more — use the continuation sheet on page 3 of the form for anything beyond 15.
Mistakes that get DS-4194 requests denied
- No DS-4194 in the package — the form states this results in a denial.
- Corrections or crossed-out entries — the instructions say to start a new form.
- Missing country of use.
- The wrong fee total, or cash by mail.
- A FedEx return label, or a request to split the return across envelopes.
- Ink other than black, or illegible handwriting.
Do you need DS-4194 if you use a service?
No. When you order through Federal Apostille USA we complete the DS-4194, pay the government fee and submit it with your document as part of the $299 price (or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries). You only tell us the document and the country.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get Form DS-4194?
Download it free from the U.S. Department of State forms site, eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds4194.PDF. Always use the current edition.
Do I need one DS-4194 for each document?
No. Complete one form per individual or company and list each document, with its country of use, in Section 4. Use the continuation sheet for more than 15 documents by mail.
How much is the DS-4194 fee?
The form is free. The authentication fee is $20 per document, not per page, paid by check or money order by mail, or by card or contactless payment in person.
What do I put for country of use?
The country where the document will be used. It decides whether you receive an apostille (Hague countries) or an authentication certificate that then needs embassy legalization (non-Hague countries).
Can someone else submit or collect my documents?
Yes. Complete Section 3 with their name and company. Whoever picks up must present government-issued photo ID.
Where do I mail DS-4194?
To U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, 44132 Mercure Circle, P.O. Box 1206, Sterling, VA 20166-1206, by USPS with tracking.
Official sources: Form DS-4194 (eforms.state.gov) · U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document. Federal Apostille USA is a private service, not a government agency.
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