When a loved one passes away outside of the United States, the emotional burden can be overwhelming. However, legal and administrative obligations often follow quickly—especially when dealing with estate matters, taxes, pensions, or property in the U.S. If your family member was a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Non-Citizen National who passed away abroad, one essential document you’ll need is the “Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad.”
In many cases, this document must be apostilled to be legally accepted by U.S. agencies, foreign governments, and financial institutions. Here’s how Orange County Apostille and Your Local Notary Public can help you through the process.
What Is the “Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Non-Citizen National Abroad”?
The U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where the death occurred issues a document called the “Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad” (Form FS-240). This is the official equivalent of a death certificate for Americans who pass away overseas.
This report:
- Serves as legal proof of death
- Is based on a local (foreign) death certificate
- Can be used for U.S. legal, banking, and IRS purposes
- Is issued by the U.S. Department of State
Why Would You Need to Apostille This Document?
The apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature and seal on an official U.S. document so it can be legally used in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Common reasons to apostille the Report of Death:
- Filing with the IRS
- Transferring or closing bank accounts
- Claiming life insurance
- Executing a will or trust
- Settling international estates
- Submitting paperwork to foreign probate courts
- Managing dual citizenship requirements
💡 If you’re not sure whether the destination country is a member of the Hague Convention, check our list of Hague and non-Hague countries here or contact us for assistance.
Where Does the Apostille Come From?
Because this document is issued by the U.S. Department of State, you cannot get it apostilled by the California Secretary of State or any other state office.
Instead, the apostille must come from the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.
Step-by-Step: How to Apostille a Report of Death
✅ Step 1: Confirm You Have the Original FS-240
You must have the original Report of Death (Form FS-240) or a certified copy issued by the U.S. Department of State. You can request additional copies from the Passport Services Vital Records Office:
🔹 Important: Only original or certified copies can be apostilled. Photocopies are not accepted.
✅ Step 2: Submit to the U.S. Department of State
Since this is a federal document, the apostille must come from:
U.S. Department of State – Office of Authentications
600 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
Website: https://travel.state.gov
Required documents:
- The original or certified FS-240 Report of Death
- Form DS-4194 (Request for Authentication)
Want to Skip the Hassle? We Can Do It for You.
At Orange County Apostille, we offer full-service apostille processing for federal documents, including the FS-240 Report of Death. Our services include:
- Reviewing your document
- Drafting affidavits (if needed)
- Filling out Form DS-4194
- Handling secure shipping to/from Washington, D.C.
- Expedited turnaround options
📍 You can drop off your document at our offices in Anaheim, Irvine, or San Juan Capistrano, or mail it to us.
Can You Use the Apostilled Report in the U.S.?
Yes. While apostilles are usually for international use, many U.S. institutions—especially the IRS, Social Security Administration, and insurance companies—prefer to see apostilled reports when the original death occurred abroad.
We often help families apostille FS-240s for:
- Filing IRS Form 706 (Estate Tax Return)
- Bank asset recovery
- 401(k) and pension claims
- Medicaid/Medicare reimbursements
- Estate tax waivers and EIN applications
Apostille for Use in Non-Hague Countries (e.g., India, China, UAE)
If the country where you’ll use the document is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, then the FS-240 must go through U.S. Department of State authentication plus embassy or consulate legalization.
We handle embassy legalization for:
- India
- China
- UAE
- Qatar
- And more
📞 Contact us to determine whether apostille or embassy legalization is required in your case. Speak with our expert team
Final Tips
- ✅ Don’t wait until the last minute—U.S. Department of State delays are common
- 📑 Always keep a digital and physical copy of the FS-240 and the apostille
- 🛡️ Use secure trackable shipping methods
- 💬 Let us help you verify document eligibility before submitting
Related Services We Offer
- Notarization of affidavits or supporting declarations
- Certified document translation (English–Spanish, English–Hindi, etc.)
- Full estate packet apostille support (wills, trusts, power of attorney)
- Same-day apostille drop-off service in Orange County
Get Started Today
Whether you’re handling an international inheritance, working with the IRS, or managing overseas bank accounts, apostilling the Report of Death is often a necessary step.
Let Orange County Apostille and Your Local Notary Public guide you through the process with confidence and care.
📍 Offices in Anaheim, Irvine, and San Juan Capistrano
📦 Nationwide and international clients welcome
- https://www.orangecountyapostille.org
- https://www.orangecountyapostille.org/contact
- https://www.orangecountyapostille.org/order-now
- https://www.orangecountyapostille.org/pricing
- https://www.orangecountyapostille.org/hague-countries-list/
- https://www.orangecountyapostille.org/federal-apostille
- https://www.orangecountyapostille.org/will-and-trust-apostille
- https://www.orangecountyapostille.org/estate-documents
- https://www.orangecountyapostille.org/international-death-apostille
- https://www.yourlocalnotarypublic.com
- https://www.yourlocalnotarypublic.com/notary-services
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/requesting-a-vital-record-as-a-u-s–citizen.html
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/internl-death.html
- https://www.state.gov/authentications/
- https://www.state.gov/documents-eligible-for-authentication/
- https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-authentications/
- https://www.uscis.gov/
- https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-706
- https://www.ssa.gov/
- https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/
- https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/death-of-retiree/
- https://www.usembassy.gov/
- https://www.embassyofindiausa.org
- https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html
- https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/return-shipping.html