Your Certificate of Naturalization is a precious document, and should be treated accordingly. DO NOT send the original Certificate of Naturalization to any apostille agency that promises to have your original document apostilled. Obtain a certified copy, and have it apostilled!

Step 1: Get a certified copy from the USCIS

Certificates of Naturalization cannot be notarized, certified as true copies, and no office at the state level can process these documents for apostilles. Certificates of Naturalization are federal documents and can be apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC.

Only certified copies issued by the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) are eligible for apostilles. Here is what a certified copy looks like:

Make an appointment with your local USCIS office. Contact the USCIS Contact Center at (800) 375-5283.

When you go to your appointment, be sure to bring your original naturalization certificate and a plain copy of it. Also bring one more form of photo identification (e.g. your driver license or passport). A USCIS officer will review the documents and will certify the copy, if the officer can confirm your identity and status as a naturalized citizen. Be sure to ask for a "Certified True Copy". Then you will get a copy eligible for an apostille.

Step 2: Mail the certified copy for a federal apostille

Certificate of Naturalization is a federal document. Therefore it will be apostilled / authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC. Only certified copies of Certificates of Naturalization issued by the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) qualify for apostilles or foreign embassy legalization.

Want to double check? Email a copy of your document for a free evaluation.

If you have a certified copy of the Naturalization certificate issued by the USCIS, send it and the completed Order form to us by mail.