Federal Apostille & Authentication Service
Located just 15 minutes from the U.S. Department of State, Embassy Apostille Services offers a fast, efficient apostille and authentication service. Skip the long 4-week wait typically required for mail-in requests and take advantage of our convenient walk-in courier service, processing your documents in as little as 9-12 business days. We manage every step from submission to completion, ensuring your documents are ready for international use quickly and accurately.
Why You Need an Apostille or Authentication Certificate
If you’re planning to use U.S. documents overseas, an apostille or authentication is often required to validate the document’s legitimacy. Here's why these certifications are essential:
International Legal Recognition: Countries often require an apostille to recognize U.S. documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, or court records for legal or business purposes. If you're getting married abroad, an apostille may be necessary for your marriage certificate to be valid.
Visa and Immigration Applications: Apostilled documents like background checks and diplomas are commonly required when applying for visas or residency abroad. If you plan to obtain dual citizenship, some documents need to be authenticated to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements.
International Business Transactions: An apostille validates contracts and business documents for use across borders, making it easier to manage international dealings.
Apostille vs. Authentication: What’s the Difference?
Both apostille and authentication services are used to verify the legitimacy of documents for international use, but they differ based on the destination country:
Apostille: Issued by the U.S. Department of State for federal documents, an apostille authenticates the signature, seal, or stamp, making the document valid in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Authentication: For countries not part of the Hague Convention, the process involves authentication by the Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State, followed by further legalization by the embassy or consulate of the destination country. Federal documents do not require a notary.
Once the apostille or authentication is completed, the document can be submitted to your lawyer or foreign authorities for use in legal, business, or personal matters.
Our Authentication Process – Fast and Simple
Initial Contact: Get in touch with us to discuss your document’s needs. Whether you need a quote or have questions about the apostille or authentication process, we're here to help.
Document Submission: After confirming your details, we personally submit your document to the U.S. Department of State for apostille or authentication certification.
Document Pickup: Once the certification is complete, we pick up the document from the Department of State.
Scanning Services: If you need digital copies of the certified document, we can provide scans upon request.
Shipping: We will ship your document to its destination—whether it’s another country, your attorney, or another specified location—via USPS, FedEx, or DHL.
Why Choose Our Walk-In Courier Service?
Fast Turnaround: With our service, your documents are ready in just 9-12 business days, far quicker than the usual 4-week wait with mail-in requests.
Convenience: We manage the entire process for you, saving you time and hassle by handling all the details of the walk-in submission.
Secure Handling: Your documents are safe with our professional courier service, ensuring reliable and secure handling from start to finish.
Important Information About the U.S. Department of State’s Authentication Office
Operating Days: The office is open Monday through Thursday. It does not accept documents on Fridays.
Document Limit: A maximum of 15 documents can be processed per day.
Holiday Closures: The office is closed on federal and state holidays, which could extend processing times. Plan ahead if your documents are time-sensitive.
Separate Addresses for Walk-ins and Mail: Be sure to use the correct address for walk-ins versus mail submissions to avoid delays. The Department of State's Authentication Office is located at 600 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Our Walk-In Service vs. Traditional Mail Processing
We eliminate the need for mail submissions and the lengthy processing times typically associated with them. Our team handles everything for you, ensuring fast, reliable service every step of the way.
