U.S. Department of State
Federal Apostille Services
Documents issued by a federal agency get their apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., not from California. We prepare them and submit them for you from Santa Barbara.
- Government fee included
- Upload, drop off or we come to you
- Open every day 8am–10pm
At a glance
Which Documents Are Federal
If a federal agency or federal official signed it, it is federal. Common examples:
- FBI Identity History Summaries (background checks)
- IRS Form 6166 certifications and IRS-certified tax returns
- Social Security Administration letters
- USCIS documents such as naturalization certificate copies certified by USCIS
- Consular Reports of Birth or Death Abroad
- U.S. District Court and bankruptcy court documents
- FDA, USDA and USPTO certificates
Everything issued by California (vital records, Superior Court documents, California notarizations) is a state apostille instead, which is faster and costs $110.
Processing Time
The State Department processes federal apostilles in order of arrival, currently about 7–12 business days, plus shipping. There is no expedite option for anyone. If you are short on time, ask whether your destination will accept a state document instead, or plan the federal one first.
Federal Documents and Notaries
Never have an original federal document notarized to “make it official.” A notary’s stamp on a federal record can make it ineligible for the federal apostille. Send it exactly as the agency issued it.
What You Need
- The federal document as issued
- The destination country
- Return address if shipping
Not sure this is the right document or the right apostille? Call (805) 866-4199, any day 8am–10pm. We will tell you exactly what your destination needs before you pay for anything.
How It Works
Done for You, Start to Finish
01
Book Online
Pick the service and a time, and pay securely. Or call and we will set it up with you.
02
Send or Upload
Upload the document if it was issued digitally, drop it off at 1117 State St, or book a mobile pickup.
03
We Submit to D.C.
We check it against the destination country’s rules and submit it to the U.S. Department of State.
04
You Get It Back
Pick it up at the office or choose tracked return shipping anywhere in the world.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a naturalization certificate apostilled?
U.S. law restricts copying naturalization certificates, so the usual route is a certified copy obtained from USCIS, which then gets a federal apostille. Call us and we will explain the options for your case.
Can federal apostilles be rushed?
No. The Department of State has a single processing queue for everyone, currently 7–12 business days.
How do I send my documents?
Upload digitally issued documents such as FBI results, drop off originals at 1117 State St, or book a mobile pickup in the Santa Barbara area.
Ready to Get Started?
Book online in a few minutes, or call and talk to a person. Open every day, 8am to 10pm.