Certificate of Naturalization

Dual citizenship applications, foreign pensions, and inheritance cases abroad regularly require an apostilled Certificate of Naturalization. This is a federal document, which means two things: only the U.S. Department of State can apostille it, and there’s a copy rule that trips people up before they even start. We process these through our Washington DC office.

The copy rule, before anything else

Federal law restricts photocopying naturalization certificates. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1426, reproducing one without authority is a federal crime, which is why the certificate itself carries that warning. The Office of Authentications won’t accept a notarized photocopy; what it needs is a certified copy issued through USCIS, most often obtained by filing Form N-565. Do not walk into a copy shop and duplicate yours before talking to someone. Send us a photo of what you’re working with (that part is fine) and we’ll tell you the compliant way to prepare it for apostille.

If your certificate is lost, replacement goes through USCIS Form N-565, which takes months. Start that immediately if you need it, and ask whoever’s requesting your document whether alternatives work in the meantime.

Federal route, hand-delivered

Because it’s a federal document, the chain is short but slow: preparation, then the Office of Authentications in Washington DC. No state office, no county clerk, no notary needed for the standard path. We hand-deliver to the Office of Authentications rather than mailing, so your certificate isn’t sitting in a federal mail queue, and we collect it in person when it’s ready.

Standard timing is 6-8 weeks, expedited about 2-3 weeks. Cost is $200 for standard and $300 for expedited on the rates page.

Usually part of a bigger package

Nobody needs just this document. Dual citizenship cases typically also need apostilled birth certificates, marriage certificates, and sometimes an FBI background check. We run federal and state documents in parallel so the slowest piece doesn’t hold the others hostage, and everything arrives together.

FAQ

Can I apostille a photocopy of my naturalization certificate?
Not a casual one. Copies of naturalization certificates are federally restricted. Contact us before copying anything and we’ll walk you through the compliant preparation.

Which office apostilles naturalization certificates?
Only the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications in Washington DC. State offices will reject them.

How long does it take?
6-8 weeks standard, 2-3 weeks expedited, set by the State Department’s pace.

I need this plus my birth certificate apostilled. One order?
Yes. The birth certificate goes to its state, the naturalization certificate goes federal, and we run both at once.

Start your order at /order/ or call (202) 770-0470.