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Home » Under Secretary for Management » Bureau of Administration » Office of Authentications » Requesting Authentication Services

• Apostille Requirements
• Authentication Certficate Requirements
• Requesting Authentication Services
• Hours
• Fees
• Location
• Contact Information
• Useful Links

The U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications accepts requests via the following:

• Mail
• Walk-in Counter
• Appointments

Mail

When requesting Authentication Services, please be sure to include the following:

• Complete form DS-4194 (Request of Authentications Service form)
• Documents
• Fees
• Include a self addressed prepaid enevlope.

Mail your complete packet to the following address:

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

Prior to submitting your packet, be sure to adhere to the following:

• Verify whether a U.S. Department of State authentication certificate or an apostille is needed.
• Plan ahead. The average processing time for mail-in requests is three business days from the date of receipt by the Office of Authentications.
• Ensure that you have all the required certifications for your document(s) by reviewing the certification requirements.
• Include a self addressed prepaid enevlope. 
• Using tracked mail delivery will expedite handling of your request by mailroom and may prevent damage to documents caused by irradiation of USPS regular mail.

Walk-in Counter

Drop-off and Pick-up Service

Hours: Monday - Friday (except federal holidays) between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

• Authentication staff will receive documents and perform only an initial review during this period.


• The office will not accept requests which do not meet the criteria for Authentication or are missing supporting documentation for processing. An Authentications staff member will contact customers dropping off incomplete or ineligible requests.


• Customers who drop off documents will receive a document receipt and a pick-up date at the time documents are received.


• To claim your documents, please return between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the cited date to pick up your completed certificate(s). You must have original document receipt.


• Documents accepted during the drop-off time will be processed and returned within one to three business days.
   

Appointment Service

Hours: 10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 2:30pm, daily

• Limit one appointment per day
   
• The office will only offer the next available appointments to individuals submitting their personal documents.
   
• Third-party customers with emergency and / or urgent situation and are eligible to schedule an appointment based on the criteria chart below.
   
• Customers with appointments must appear in person at the Office of Authentications at the specified time of their scheduled appointment.
   
• Emergency and/or urgent requests must provide written documentation
   
• Direct support is provided to U.S. federal agencies