A DD-214 apostille is an authentication certificate issued by the U.S. Department of State that validates the authenticity of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for use in foreign countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
The DD-214 is one of the most important documents a U.S. military veteran possesses. It serves as official proof of military service and discharge status. When this document needs to be used internationally, it must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State since it is a federal document. Federal Apostille and Notary Processing handles the entire preparation, submission, and coordination process with the Department of State on your behalf.
ⓘ Why Use Federal Apostille and Notary Processing?
We are an independent document processing service based in Washington, D.C. that specializes in federal apostilles. All federal apostilles are issued exclusively by the U.S. Department of State — we prepare your documents, submit them on your behalf, and coordinate the process so you don’t have to navigate the bureaucracy alone. Our office is located at 400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, steps from where your documents are processed.
Who Needs a DD-214 Apostille?
An apostilled DD-214 or military service record is frequently required for the following purposes:
- Veterans relocating abroad — Proving military service history for residency or immigration applications in foreign countries
- International employment — Employers or government agencies abroad may require verified proof of military background
- Foreign pension claims — Claiming veterans’ benefits or pension in countries with bilateral agreements
- Property purchases abroad — Some countries offer veterans special benefits for property acquisition
- Dual citizenship applications — Military service documentation may be required when applying for citizenship in another country
- Security clearance verification — International contractors may need authenticated military records for foreign security clearances
Our Pricing
Our military records and DD-214 apostille service is $120 per document. This fee covers our complete end-to-end service: document review, preparation, submission to the U.S. Department of State, and return of your apostilled document. No hidden fees, no surprises.
💰 Service Fee: $120 Per Document
Our flat rate of $120 per document includes document review, preparation, submission to the Department of State, and return shipping. You can submit your federal documents by uploading online, mailing them in, or bringing them in person to our Washington, D.C. office.
How to Submit Your Documents
Federal Apostille and Notary Processing offers three convenient ways to submit your DD-214 or military records for apostille processing:
- Upload Online — Complete our online application form and upload your documents digitally for the fastest way to get started
- Mail In — Send your original documents by mail to our office at 400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004. We recommend using a trackable shipping method (USPS Priority, FedEx, or UPS)
- Bring In Person — Visit our Washington, D.C. office at 400 8th St NW, DC 20004 and drop off your documents directly. We are available 24/7
How Our DD-214 Apostille Process Works
When you work with Federal Apostille and Notary Processing, we handle the complex parts so you don’t have to. Our service is $120 per document. Here’s how our process works:
- Submit Your DocumentsUpload your documents online through our application form, mail them to our office at 400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, or bring them in person. You can also call us at (760) 469-2997 or email submissions@federalapostille.org. We are available 24/7.
- We Review Your DocumentsOur team reviews your DD-214 or military service records to confirm they meet the Department of State’s requirements — including proper signatures, seals, and that the original document or NPRC-certified copy (not a personal photocopy) is present. We identify any issues before submission to prevent delays.
- We Prepare Your Submission PackageWe complete all required paperwork and assemble your submission for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C., ensuring everything is accurate and complete.
- We Submit to the U.S. Department of StateBecause we are based in Washington, D.C. at 400 8th St NW, we coordinate directly with the Department of State’s Office of Authentications to submit your documents for apostille processing.
- You Receive Your Apostilled DocumentOnce the Department of State issues the apostille certificate and attaches it to your DD-214 or military record, we return the completed document to you, ready for international use in any Hague Convention member country.
🕑 Don’t Navigate the Bureaucracy Alone
The Department of State’s standard processing takes 4–8 weeks. Errors in your submission — wrong forms, missing signatures, photocopies instead of originals — can result in your documents being returned and weeks of additional delay. Our team ensures your submission is correct the first time. Contact us to discuss your timeline.
Types of Military Records Eligible for Apostille
When you work with Federal Apostille and Notary Processing, we can handle apostille submissions for a range of military documents:
| Document | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| DD-214 | Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty | Department of Defense / NPRC |
| DD-215 | Correction to DD-214 | Department of Defense / NPRC |
| DD-256 | Honorable Discharge Certificate | Department of Defense |
| NGB-22 | National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service | National Guard Bureau |
| Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) | Complete service record file | NPRC |
| Service Medical Records | Military health and medical documentation | NPRC |
Our Full Range of Services
Military records apostilles are one of our core services. Federal Apostille and Notary Processing also offers:
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Federal Apostille | Apostille processing for all U.S. federal documents through the Department of State — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, federal court documents, military records (DD-214), SSA letters, USPTO records, and federal name change petitions |
| Notary Public | Professional notary public services for documents that require notarization before or alongside apostille processing |
| Certified / Sworn Translation | Certified translations for countries that require your apostilled documents to be translated into their official language |
| Embassy Legalization | For countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention, we coordinate embassy legalization through the appropriate foreign embassy or consulate |
Important Considerations for Veterans
- Protect your original DD-214 — Consider requesting an additional certified copy from the NPRC to submit for apostille while keeping your original safe
- Member 4 vs. Full Copy — Check with the destination country whether the short-form (Member 4) or the full undeleted copy is required. Our team can advise you on what we typically see for specific countries
- Sensitive information — The DD-214 contains personal information; use secure, trackable shipping methods when mailing documents to our office
- Translation requirements — Many countries require a certified translation of the apostilled DD-214 into their official language — we offer this as an additional service
- County-recorded copies — DD-214s recorded at county courthouses are considered state documents and would need a state apostille, not a federal one. Use your NPRC-issued copy for federal apostille
- Non-Hague Convention countries — Some countries may require embassy legalization instead of or in addition to an apostille — we coordinate this as well
ⓘ Replacing a Lost DD-214
If you need a replacement DD-214, you can request one from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) using Standard Form 180 (SF-180) or through the eVetRecs online system. Processing can take several weeks to several months depending on the era of service and record availability. The 1973 fire at the NPRC destroyed many records from 1912–1964, which may further complicate replacement requests. Contact our team at (760) 469-2997 and we can guide you through this step as well.
