Professional Authentication Services for International Use

At Orange County Apostille, we specialize in facilitating the apostille process for Certificates of Naturalization issued by the United States government. These documents are frequently required for legal, immigration, or dual citizenship purposes in foreign countries, particularly those that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilling a Certificate of Naturalization is not a standard state-level service—it involves a specific federal-level authentication process.

If you are planning to submit your naturalization document abroad—for purposes such as dual nationality, visa applications, property inheritance, or family immigration matters—you must ensure your document is properly apostilled through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

What Is a Certificate of Naturalization?

A Certificate of Naturalization is an official document issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirming that an individual has legally acquired U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process. It includes personal identification details, USCIS registration numbers, and an official seal and signature from a USCIS officer.

Because this document is federal in nature and issued directly by a U.S. federal agency, it must follow the federal apostille process—not the state apostille route.

Why You May Need to Apostille a Certificate of Naturalization

Apostilling this document is often required when submitting proof of U.S. citizenship to foreign authorities. Common reasons include:

Applying for dual citizenship or dual nationality (e.g., in Italy, Mexico, Poland, Spain)
Filing for a family-based visa or residency abroad
Verifying your U.S. citizenship status for legal or property-related matters overseas
Submitting official documents to foreign schools, embassies, or courts

Without an apostille, many foreign government agencies will reject the Certificate of Naturalization, even if it is an original document.

Important Note: You Cannot Apostille the Original Certificate

The original Certificate of Naturalization cannot be apostilled. The U.S. Department of State does not place an apostille on the original document.

Instead, you must request a Certified True Copy of the Certificate of Naturalization from USCIS or have the original copied and certified by a notary public under penalty of perjury using a notarial affidavit.

Step-by-Step: How to Apostille a Certificate of Naturalization

Here’s how Orange County Apostille helps clients navigate the correct federal apostille procedure:

Step 1: Obtain a Certified True Copy

You have two options:

Contact USCIS and request a certified true copy of your Certificate of Naturalization.
- Visit: https://www.uscis.gov
- File Form G-639 or a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Have a Notary Public Create a Sworn Affidavit
- At Orange County Apostille, we help prepare a notarized affidavit stating that the attached copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document in your possession.
- We ensure the notarization is valid and compliant with U.S. Department of State guidelines.

Step 2: Send the Document for Federal Apostille

Once notarized, the certified copy must be submitted to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.

We handle the entire submission process for you. Our D.C.-based office ensures:

Proper submission
Accurate payment of federal fees
Chain of custody is maintained
Timely processing and secure return shipping

Processing time: Approximately 2–3 weeks (expedited options available)

Step 3: Receive Your Apostilled Document

Once apostilled, the certified copy of your Certificate of Naturalization is valid for international use in Hague Convention member countries. If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, we can assist with embassy legalization instead.

Apostille vs. Embassy Legalization for Non-Hague Countries

If the country requesting your Certificate of Naturalization is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (e.g., China, UAE, Qatar, Egypt), the document must go through embassy or consular legalization instead of a federal apostille.

Orange County Apostille can handle both procedures, including:

Notarization
State authentication (if needed)
Federal authentication via U.S. Department of State
Embassy or consulate submission
Certified translation (if required)

Countries That Commonly Require Apostilled Certificates of Naturalization

The following countries often request apostilled Certificates of Naturalization from U.S. citizens seeking dual nationality or immigration-related services:

Mexico
Italy
Germany
Spain
France
Argentina
South Korea
Brazil
Portugal
Poland

If your destination country is on this list and is a Hague Apostille member, a federal apostille is sufficient.

See full list of Hague member countries: https://www.hcch.net/en/states/hcch-members

Why Choose Orange County Apostille?

At Orange County Apostille, we have a direct processing route to Washington, D.C., with experienced staff who understand the intricacies of federal-level apostilles. We ensure:

Your certified copy is properly notarized
Your documents are submitted to the correct federal agency
Processing is timely and compliant
Return shipping is fast and secure

We handle every step for you—no guesswork, no delays, and no rejections.

Mailing Instructions for Remote Clients

We accept apostille requests by mail from clients anywhere in the U.S. or abroad.

Mailing Address:

Orange County Apostille

17875 Von Karman Ave, Suite 150

Irvine, CA 92614

Include:

Your notarized affidavit and attached copy of your Certificate of Naturalization
Your completed apostille service request form (download from our website)
A return shipping label or prepaid envelope (optional)
Your contact details

Need help preparing the affidavit? We offer mobile and in-office notary services.

Need Translation Services?

If your apostilled Certificate of Naturalization needs to be submitted to a non-English-speaking country, we offer certified translations in over 90 languages, compliant with embassy and consulate requirements.

Learn more: https://orangecountyapostille.org/translation-services

Get Started Today

Whether you’re seeking dual nationality, preparing immigration paperwork, or sending documents overseas for legal purposes, Orange County Apostille is here to help.

✅ We notarize and prepare certified true copies

✅ We process federal apostilles directly in Washington, D.C.

✅ We handle embassy legalization if needed

✅ We offer translations and shipping support

Contact Us

📍 Office: 17875 Von Karman Ave, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92614

📞 Phone: (949) 335-6880

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: https://orangecountyapostille.org

📅 Book Online: https://orangecountyapostille.org/book-now

Helpful Resources

Trust Orange County Apostille for fast, secure, and professional processing of your Certificate of Naturalization for international use.

Let us simplify the federal apostille process—so you don’t have to.