Federal Apostille Processing Time & Cost (2026 Guide) | Federal Apostille & Notary Processing
Federal Apostille Processing Time & Cost
How long does a federal apostille take and how much does it cost? The Department of State processes federal apostilles in 10–12 business days. Federal Apostille and Notary Processing handles the entire submission for $120 per document.
Submit Your Documents →How Long Does a Federal Apostille Take?
The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications processes federal apostilles on a first-come, first-served basis. The current standard processing time is 10–12 business days from the date the Department of State receives the documents. This does not include the time it takes to mail documents to and from the Department of State.
Processing times can vary depending on the Department of State’s current workload, time of year, and the volume of submissions they are handling. Federal Apostille and Notary Processing monitors processing conditions and advises clients on current timelines.
Federal Apostille Timeline Breakdown
| Stage | Estimated Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Document Submission to Us | 1–3 days | Upload online (instant), mail in (1–3 days transit), or bring in person (same day) |
| Our Review & Preparation | 1–2 business days | We verify documents, check for issues, prepare submission package |
| Dept. of State Processing | 10–12 business days | Standard processing by the Office of Authentications |
| Return to You | 2–5 business days | We ship your apostilled documents via trackable carrier |
| Total Estimated Time | 3–4 weeks | End-to-end from submission to receipt |
⚠ Don't Wait Until the Last Minute
If you have a deadline — a consulate appointment, visa application date, court filing, or travel date — start the federal apostille process well in advance. Processing times are set by the Department of State and are not within our control, but we ensure your documents are prepared correctly to prevent rejections that add weeks of delay.
How Much Does a Federal Apostille Cost?
Federal Apostille and Notary Processing charges a flat rate of $120 per document. This covers our complete end-to-end service:
- Document review — We verify your federal documents meet Department of State requirements
- Preparation — We complete all required paperwork and assemble your submission
- Submission to the Department of State — We submit directly to the Office of Authentications
- Coordination — We manage the process and monitor your submission
- Return shipping — We return your apostilled documents via trackable carrier
💰 $120 Per Document — No Hidden Fees
Our pricing is straightforward: $120 per document, regardless of the document type (FBI check, naturalization certificate, federal court order, military record, etc.). The U.S. Department of State does not charge an additional government fee for federal apostille processing. Our fee covers the full service.
Cost Per Document by Federal Document Type
| Federal Document | Our Service Fee | Additional Costs? |
|---|---|---|
| FBI Background Check | $120 | None |
| Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570) | $120 | None |
| Federal Court Document | $120 | None |
| Military Records (DD-214) | $120 | None |
| Social Security Letter | $120 | None |
| USPTO Patent/Trademark | $120 | None (certified copy from USPTO needed) |
| IRS Tax Transcript | $120 | None |
| IRS Tax Return (Form 1040) | $120 | Notarization may be needed (we provide this) |
| CRBA (FS-240) | $120 | None |
Common Reasons for Federal Apostille Delays
The most common cause of delays is document rejection by the Department of State. When documents are rejected, they are returned and must be resubmitted after correction — adding weeks to your timeline. Common rejection reasons include:
- Submitting photocopies instead of originals — The Department of State requires original federal documents
- Missing official seals or signatures — Documents must bear the issuing agency’s official seal and authorized signature
- Submitting state documents to the Department of State — State documents must go to the state Secretary of State, not the federal Department of State
- Documents that have been altered — Any alterations, white-out, or modifications will result in rejection
- Tax returns without notarization — Filed tax returns (Form 1040) must be notarized before they can be apostilled
- Incomplete submission paperwork — Missing cover letters or incorrect forms
ⓘ How We Prevent Delays
Federal Apostille and Notary Processing reviews every document before submission to catch issues that would cause rejection. We verify originals, check seals and signatures, confirm the document type is correct for federal apostille, and ensure all paperwork is complete. This is why our clients avoid the costly rejections and resubmissions that can add 10–12 additional business days to the process.
How to Submit Your Documents
Three convenient options:
- Upload Online — Complete our online application form and upload your documents digitally
- Mail In — Send originals to 400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 via trackable carrier
- Bring In Person — Drop off at our D.C. office. We are available 24/7
Our Full Range of Services
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Federal Apostille | All federal documents — $120 per document |
| Notary Public | Notarization for documents that require it before apostille (e.g., tax returns) |
| Certified / Sworn Translation | Certified translations for countries requiring documents in their official language |
| Embassy Legalization | For non-Hague countries — pricing varies by country |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about federal apostille processing times and costs
Don’t Risk Delays — Let Us Handle Your Federal Apostille
Just $120 per document. We review every document to prevent rejections that add weeks to your timeline.
Submit Your Documents →Or call us 24/7 at +1 (760) 469-2997
