{"stateName":"Federal documents","slug":"federal-document","summary":"Prepare eligible federal documents for a Department of State apostille or authentication. Compare this DIY packet with the existing Notary Geek federal service when preparation or logistics help is useful.","commonDocuments":"FBI Identity History Summaries, eligible federal agency certificates, federal court records and consular life-event records; authority and preparation vary.","timing":"State\u2019s current page publishes five-week mail processing and seven-business-day routine drop-off processing. Narrow life-or-death travel emergencies may qualify for an approved appointment. These are government handling descriptions, not end-to-end delivery promises. [US-01]","caveat":"U.S. Department of State, D.C. ONCA and federal court clerks are different authorities. Do not notarize an original federal record. Consular life-event records and federal court records have distinct competent-authority paths. [US-03; HCCH-01]","officialResourceName":"U.S. Department of State \u2014 Request Authentication Services","officialResourceUrl":"https://travel.state.gov/en/replace-certify/authenticate-documents/request-services.html","micrositeUrl":null,"lawResourceName":null,"lawResourceUrl":null,"secondaryLawResourceName":null,"secondaryLawResourceUrl":null,"legalNotes":["US-01 | Department of State \u2014 Request Authentication Services | official agency guidance or directory, not transaction acceptance evidence | checked 2026-10-28 | publication/revision: 2026-10-01; effective date not independently established | fees/payment, mail, routine drop-off/pickup, emergency and status sections | https://travel.state.gov/en/replace-certify/authenticate-documents/request-services.html","US-02 | DS-4194 \u2014 Request for Authentications Service | official agency guidance or directory, not transaction acceptance evidence | checked 2026-10-28 | publication/revision: form 01-2023; displayed OMB expiration 2026-10-31; effective date not independently established | PDF pp. 1\u20133: sections 1\u20135, shipping/representative, continuation and payment conflict | https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds4194.PDF","US-03 | State \u2014 Authentication Certificate preparation | official agency guidance or directory, not transaction acceptance evidence | checked 2026-10-28 | publication/revision: 2026-06-16; effective date not independently established | Federal documents; do not notarize originals; separate state preparation | https://travel.state.gov/en/replace-certify/authenticate-documents/authentication-certification.html","US-04 | State \u2014 Apostille Certificate preparation | official agency guidance or directory, not transaction acceptance evidence | checked 2026-10-28 | publication/revision: 2026-06-16; effective date not independently established | original/certified output, official signature/title/seal/date and examples | https://travel.state.gov/en/replace-certify/authenticate-documents/apostille-certificate.html","US-05 | FBI \u2014 Identity History Summary FAQs | official agency guidance or directory, not transaction acceptance evidence | checked 2026-10-28 | publication/revision: not stated; effective date not independently established | payment, electronic copies and General Questions: watermark/signature; return-envelope restriction | https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks/identity-history-summary-checks-faqs","HCCH-01 | HCCH \u2014 United States competent authorities | official agency guidance or directory, not transaction acceptance evidence | checked 2026-10-28 | publication/revision: 2026-09-02; effective date not independently established | agency, federal court clerk and consular life-event distinctions | https://www.hcch.net/en/states/authorities/details3/?aid=353"],"misconceptionTitle":null,"misconceptionIntro":null,"misconceptionNotes":null,"whatWeKnow":["Identify the source before choosing the certificate \u2014 FBI and other eligible federal agency records ordinarily use the State Office of Authentications; federal court clerks can issue apostilles for their own court documents. HCCH identifies a separate Passport Services Vital Records Section for consular birth/death/marriage reports. Do not send every record to one desk just because it is federal. [HCCH-01]","Prepare the eligible agency original \u2014 State asks for an original or certified copy with the official\u2019s legible signature, printed name/title, agency seal, issue date and letterhead. Confirm agency-specific certification first. A notarized photocopy does not convert the underlying federal record into a state-apostille record. State explicitly warns against notarizing the federal original. [US-03; US-04]","FBI result: separate issuance from apostille \u2014 FBI\u2019s direct request fee is $18, with fingerprint costs separate. Its results carry an FBI watermark and division official\u2019s signature; electronic results can be printed. Send eligible FBI output to State if authentication is needed. FBI does not accept prepaid return envelopes for its own departmental-order process; State\u2019s later packet does require a prepaid return envelope. Keep the original agency file rather than a customer scan. [US-05; US-01]","Choose apostille or authentication for the actual destination \u2014 Use the existing foundations guide to check the origin/destination relationship and document scope. Outside that route, State authentication and destination-specific consular steps may be needed. State\u2019s preparation page separates federal records from state/notarized documents that first need their own issuing-state authentication. Do not add embassy legalization after a proper applicable apostille. [US-03]","Complete DS-4194 carefully \u2014 Supply customer contact information, country of use, document types/counts and projected cost. Use shipping details when shipping; identify a representative when applicable. Mail orders exceeding 15 documents use the continuation sheet. The form instructs black ink and a fresh form after errors. Its displayed OMB expiration is October 31, 2026; retrieve the current form again before a later submission. [US-02]","Use current payment instructions over conflicting old form text \u2014 State\u2019s October 1 page requires $20 per document, nonrefundable. Mail uses a check/money order payable to U.S. Department of State; checks need printed name/address and number over 100. Counter payment uses card/contactless. The older DS-4194 instructions still mention counter cash/checks; this guide follows the newer service page and flags the conflict. [US-01; US-02]","Mail to Sterling with a usable return \u2014 Send the form, eligible documents, fees and prepaid USPS/UPS return envelope by tracked USPS to Office of Authentications, U.S. Department of State, 44132 Mercure Circle, PO Box 1206, Sterling VA 20166-1206. Postal delivery in Sterling precedes receipt for review in Washington. Confirm any onward international shipping separately. [US-01]","Routine counter is drop-off and later collection \u2014 Monday\u2013Thursday 7:30\u20139 a.m. at 600 19th Street NW, Washington DC 20006; no appointment for routine drop-off. Bring DS-4194, documents, fees and a self-addressed prepaid envelope. The current page allows a representative whose name/company is recorded on the receipt; photo ID is required at collection. Do not describe this seven-business-day route as routine same-day service. [US-01]","Emergency appointments have a narrow purpose \u2014 The published exception concerns urgent international travel for an immediate family member\u2019s death or life-threatening condition. It requires travel/emergency evidence and approval. A commercial deadline or paid courier is not evidence of eligibility. Use the current official appointment instructions rather than buying a purported federal rush guarantee. [US-01]","Example: one direct FBI check and one State certificate \u2014 $18 FBI issuance plus $20 State authentication totals $38 before fingerprinting, postage, copies or optional private help. This is a two-stage arithmetic example, not a service quote or promise that a particular file is eligible. [US-05; US-01]","Recover a returned packet without altering originals \u2014 Practical preparation: retain the return explanation, form and tracking; identify whether the defect is source certification, destination, fee or return arrangement. Obtain a corrected agency record when needed. Use State\u2019s status contact for a pending request rather than sending a duplicate. [US-01; US-03]","FAQ: Can a service make the government queue disappear? \u2014 A private helper may review the file, prepare submissions and arrange agreed collection/return. Verify its scope, government fees and shipping separately. The published government estimates and representative permission do not prove a provider\u2019s current capacity, priority access or guaranteed completion. [US-01]"],"whatMustBeConfirmed":["Refresh DS-4194 after its displayed October 31, 2026 OMB expiration; confirm conflicts rather than treating an old form as current payment/carrier authority.","Verify the exact agency certification and official output, federal court clerk or consular-record route before mailing.","Destination-specific consular requirements, fees, translations, jurisdiction and return must be confirmed when outside the applicable apostille path."],"sourceConfidence":"Dated official-source preparation guidance with explicit conflicts and unpublished facts; no completed-transaction acceptance evidence or independent final review claimed.","lastReviewed":"2026-10-28","contentUpdateUrl":null,"canIssueEApostille":null,"eApostilleCapabilityNote":"Electronic apostille availability was not established for this office/document. An electronic source file is not by itself an electronic apostille.","apostillePhysicalSecurityLevel":null,"apostillePhysicalSecurityFeatures":null,"apostillePhysicalSecurityNote":"Keep the completed official attachment intact. Ask the issuing office to resolve an attachment or signature concern; do not detach or add seals yourself.","targetedLawReviewDate":null,"targetedLawReviewScope":null}