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Home » Under Secretary for Management » Bureau of Administration » Office of Authentications » How To Request

• DS-4194 Forms
• Fees
• Hours

Requesting Authentication Services

1. Confirm that your document needs an authentication certificate or apostille from the State Department. In many cases, an apostille or authentication from the government of the U.S. state where your document(s) originate is sufficient. Learn more about state government authentications and apostilles.

2. Ensure that you have all the required certifications for your document(s). Review certification requirements.

3. Prepare a self-addressed stamped envelope or other pre-addressed, pre-paid return mailer for your request.

• The Authentications Office will mail documents directly to a foreign embassy or consulate if you provide a cover letter, the correct fee, and a pre-paid (or stamped), pre-addressed envelope. Please enclose an additional self-addressed stamped envelope for the embassy or consulate to return the document.


• A PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN22 – Sender’s Declaration, must be used on all First-Class Mail International® package-size items (small packets), the Priority Mail International® Small Flat Rate Box, M-bags, and certain Express Mail International® items. Also use this form on a First-Class Mail International mailpiece or the Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope.  Refer to the USPS International Mail Manual for more information

4. Complete form DS-4194 , “Request for Authentications Service.”

• Please generate an original form for each document request. Your input to the form creates a unique bar code containing the information needed to prepare individuals certificates and mailing labels.

5. Prepare a check or money order for eight dollars ($8) payable to the U.S. Department of State for each document to be authenticated. Payments by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are only accepted for counter service. Cash payments are accepted, but we cannot make change.

6. Submit request package to the Office of Authentications at the U.S. Department of State. Requests are accepted by mail, courier, or in person. The address is:

U.S. Department of State
Authentications Office
518 23rd Street, NW SA-1
Columbia Plaza
Washington, DC 20520

7. Through September 14, 2012, walk-in service for the public is available on weekdays 7:30-11:00 AM.  IMPORTANT: new schedule takes effect September 17.  Learn more about the new schedule. Courier deliveries and pick-up are also accepted at this time. We are closed on weekends and federal holidays.

8. Through September 14, 2012, same-day authentication service is available if you submit a complete request package in person or by courier. IMPORTANT: new process takes effect September 17. Learn more about the new process.

9. Counter service (drop-off or same-day) is limited to no more than 15 documents per customer per day.

The average processing time for mail-in requests is 10 business days from the date of receipt from the Department mailroom (different from the date of delivery for most tracked packages) to the date of return to the Department mailroom. Use of tracked mail delivery will expedite handling of your request by mailroom and may prevent damage to documents caused by irradiation of USPS regular mail.