The Rule: Jurisdiction Follows the Issuing Authority
The apostille authority for a U.S. document is determined by who issued it — not by which state you live in or where you're sending it.
- Document issued by a state agency (vital records, courts, state licensing boards) → State Secretary of State
- Document notarized by a state-commissioned notary → State Secretary of State of the notary's commission state
- Document issued by a U.S. federal agency (FBI, USCIS, federal courts, U.S. DOS, military) → U.S. Department of State
Which Documents Are Federal?
| Document | Issuing Authority | Apostille Office |
|---|---|---|
| FBI Identity History Summary (background check) | FBI / U.S. DOJ | U.S. Department of State |
| Naturalization Certificate (N-550) | USCIS | U.S. Department of State |
| Certificate of Citizenship (N-560) | USCIS | U.S. Department of State |
| U.S. Passport (data page) | U.S. Department of State | U.S. Department of State |
| Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) | U.S. Department of State | U.S. Department of State |
| Federal court orders (U.S. District Court) | Federal judiciary | U.S. Department of State |
| USCIS approval notices (I-800A, I-171H) | USCIS | U.S. Department of State |
How to Submit to the U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications processes federal apostilles. Current details (2025):
- Mail address: U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, 600 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
- Walk-in: Washington Passport and Visa Examination Center (WPVEC), Tuesdays and Wednesdays only, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Same-day for documents submitted by noon.
- Fee: $20 per apostille (as of 2025) — submit by money order payable to "U.S. Department of State"
- Mail processing time: 6–8 weeks standard
⚠ The FBI Check Itself Has a Separate Step First
Before apostilling your FBI background check, you must obtain the correct version from the FBI. Order an Identity History Summary through the FBI's online portal at edo.cjis.gov. The FBI provides the document with a certification specifically for apostille purposes — do not order the standard uncertified version. Processing: 3–5 business days. Then send to U.S. DOS for apostille.
Documents That Are Often Confused as Federal
These documents are issued at the state level — they go to the state SOS, not U.S. DOS:
- Birth certificates — issued by state vital records offices, not the federal government
- Marriage and death certificates — state vital records
- State criminal background checks — issued by state agencies (e.g., Florida FDLE, California DOJ). Different from the FBI background check.
- State court orders and divorce decrees — state court → state SOS
- Driver's licenses and state ID — state-issued; can be apostilled by state SOS if properly notarized first
Informational purposes only. Requirements and procedures are current as of mid-2025 and subject to change. Always verify with the relevant issuing authority.