Services and official routes
Get a federal document apostille
Last reviewed .
Match the issuing agency to the designated authority before sending a document. Federal courts and consular vital records have different authorities.
Start with the official route
Use the official federal authority route. Official instructions are free. Government application and authentication fees can apply.
What this service includes
What we add
We prepare the submission and coordinate the agreed document handling. An FBI result uses the federal agency route. A federal court record goes to the court clerk; a consular life-event record uses Passport Services.
What you provide
Identify the issuing office and confirm which original or certified record the competent authority accepts. A state notary or county clerk cannot replace the designated federal authority.
What you receive
The agreed federal authentication or apostille step for the document in your quote. Obtaining a replacement record is a separate task unless the quote includes it.
Pay online for Federal apostille, any documentWhich federal office has authority?
US federal agency document
Competent authority State Department Office of Authentications
Before sending Document issued by a US federal agency. Confirm document-specific certification with the office.
Official source Sources checked .
FBI Identity History Summary
Competent authority State Department Office of Authentications
Before sending Federal agency document. Confirm the acceptable original or printed result before sending.
Official source Sources checked .
Consular report of birth, death, or marriage
Competent authority State Department Passport Services, Vital Records Section
Before sending Consular report. Request instructions from the Vital Records Section.
Official source Sources checked .
Document issued by a US federal court
Competent authority Clerk or deputy clerk of the issuing federal court
Before sending Court-issued document. Ask that court for certification and fee instructions.
Official source Sources checked .
State, local, or notarized document
Competent authority Designated competent authority of the issuing state or DC
Before sending Check the issuing jurisdiction, document type, and any county certification first.
Official source Sources checked .
| Document | Competent authority | Before sending | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| US federal agency document | State Department Office of Authentications | Document issued by a US federal agency. Confirm document-specific certification with the office. | Official source Sources checked . |
| FBI Identity History Summary | State Department Office of Authentications | Federal agency document. Confirm the acceptable original or printed result before sending. | Official source Sources checked . |
| Consular report of birth, death, or marriage | State Department Passport Services, Vital Records Section | Consular report. Request instructions from the Vital Records Section. | Official source Sources checked . |
| Document issued by a US federal court | Clerk or deputy clerk of the issuing federal court | Court-issued document. Ask that court for certification and fee instructions. | Official source Sources checked . |
| State, local, or notarized document | Designated competent authority of the issuing state or DC | Check the issuing jurisdiction, document type, and any county certification first. | Official source Sources checked . |
Federal document apostille authorities. Sources checked October 24, 2026.
US document processing times. Sources checked October 24, 2026.
US Expat Desk is responsible for every case it accepts. If an error of ours causes a return, we redo the work and refund our fee.
US Expat Desk is a private business. We are not affiliated with the US government, the State Department, or the FBI.
Sources checked October 24, 2026.