What Is a Certificate of Naturalization Apostille?
A Certificate of Naturalization apostille is an authentication certificate issued by the U.S. Department of State that validates the authenticity of your USCIS-issued naturalization certificate for use in foreign countries. This document — Form N-550 (original) or Form N-570 (replacement) — is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when an individual becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen.
If you need to prove your U.S. citizenship abroad for dual nationality applications, property transactions, pension claims, inheritance matters, or legal proceedings, many foreign governments require an apostilled Certificate of Naturalization. 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 Certificate of Naturalization Apostille?
An apostilled Certificate of Naturalization is frequently required for the following purposes:
- Dual citizenship applications — Proving U.S. citizenship to a foreign government when applying for or maintaining dual nationality
- Property transactions abroad — Buying, selling, or inheriting property in a foreign country where proof of citizenship is required
- Pension and benefit claims — Claiming retirement benefits, pensions, or social benefits in your country of origin
- Inheritance and estate matters — Settling estates or inheritance claims that require proof of citizenship status
- Foreign business registration — Establishing or investing in a business abroad where citizenship documentation is required
- Consular registrations — Registering with foreign consulates or embassies that require proof of naturalized citizenship
- Legal proceedings abroad — Court proceedings, custody cases, or other legal matters in foreign jurisdictions
Our Pricing
Our Certificate of Naturalization 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 Certificate of Naturalization 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 Naturalization Certificate 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 Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570) to confirm it meets the Department of State’s requirements — including the official USCIS seal, authorized signature, and that the original document (not a copy) 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 naturalization certificate, 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.
N-550 vs. N-570: Which Should You Submit?
Both the original Certificate of Naturalization (N-550) and the replacement certificate (N-570) carry identical legal standing and are equally accepted by the Department of State for apostille processing. Here is a comparison to help you decide which to submit:
| Feature | N-550 (Original) | N-570 (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Issued At | Naturalization ceremony | Upon USCIS approval of Form N-565 |
| Legal Standing | Full legal validity | Identical legal validity |
| Accepted for Apostille | Yes | Yes |
| Risk of Mailing | High (irreplaceable without N-565 process) | Lower (can request another replacement) |
| Our Recommendation | Retain as personal record | Submit for apostille processing |
⚠ Protect Your Original Certificate
Your Certificate of Naturalization is a critically important document. We recommend applying for a replacement N-570 from USCIS (using Form N-565) before sending any certificate for apostille, so you always have a copy in your possession. Our team at (760) 469-2997 can advise you on the best approach for your situation.
Our Full Range of Services
Certificate of Naturalization 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 — naturalization certificates, FBI checks, 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 Requirements for Naturalization Certificate Apostille
- The original certificate (N-550 or N-570) must be submitted — the Department of State does not accept photocopies, scanned copies, or digital printouts
- The certificate must bear the official USCIS seal and authorized signature to be eligible for apostille
- Damaged, altered, or illegible certificates may be rejected — our team inspects your document before submission to prevent this
- Because naturalization certificates are federal documents, only the U.S. Department of State can apostille them — state Secretaries of State do not have jurisdiction
- Some countries may require a certified translation of the apostilled document — we offer this as an additional service
- Non-Hague Convention countries may require embassy legalization instead of or in addition to an apostille — we coordinate this as well
ⓘ Need a Replacement Certificate Before Apostille?
If you cannot locate your original N-550 or prefer not to risk sending it, you can apply for a replacement N-570 from USCIS by filing Form N-565. This process can take several months. Contact our team at (760) 469-2997 and we can advise you on your options and timeline.
