Federal Apostille

An FBI Identity History Summary—commonly referred to as an FBI background check—is a document that lists any criminal history tied to an individual’s fingerprints in the United States. It’s issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is often required for: • Immigration or visa applications in foreign countries • Work permits or employment screening abroad • Residency or citizenship programs overseas To obtain an apostille, the FBI background check must be issued directly by the FBI (either digitally or on paper) and then sent to the U.S. Department of State for authentication.

The Certificate of Naturalization is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to individuals who have become U.S. citizens through the naturalization process. Because the original certificate cannot be apostilled, you must request a certified true copy through Form G-639 or directly from USCIS. This copy must then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State for use overseas—for example, in dual citizenship applications or legal matters abroad.

Documents from the Social Security Administration (SSA), such as benefit verification letters or proof of income statements, may be needed abroad to confirm retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. These are often required for: • Receiving pension benefits overseas • Immigration or visa processing • Proof of financial standing for residency applications These documents must be signed by an SSA official and bear an official federal seal to qualify for apostille through the U.S. Department of State.

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate to document the birth of a U.S. citizen outside the United States. It’s considered a legal equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate and is often required when: • Registering for school overseas • Applying for dual citizenship • Getting married abroad To apostille a CRBA, it must be the official version issued by the U.S. Department of State and authenticated in Washington, D.C.

While a U.S. passport cannot be apostilled in its original form, a certified true copy of the passport ID page—signed and sealed by a passport acceptance agent or a federal notary—can be apostilled. This may be needed for: • Identity verification overseas • Visa or residence permit applications • Foreign bank account openings or property transactions Only properly certified copies can be accepted by the U.S. Department of State for apostille processing.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may issue documents such as: • Form 6166, a letter of U.S. residency for tax treaty benefits • Tax compliance letters • Income verification statements These documents are used internationally for tax exemptions, financial disclosure, or residency proof. They must be signed by a federal officer and bear the IRS seal in order to qualify for federal apostille through the U.S. Department of State.

Documents issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) include: • Benefits letters • Service verification documents • Disability ratings These documents may be used abroad for benefits collection, legal representation, or veteran-related entitlements. As federal documents, they must be signed by an authorized VA official and then submitted for apostille at the federal level.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues certificates like: • Certificates to Foreign Governments (CFG) • Certificates of Free Sale • Export Certificates These documents confirm that a product (such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or food supplements) is approved for sale in the U.S. and meets safety standards. Apostilles are often required by foreign health authorities or customs agencies to allow product importation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides internationally recognized documents like: • Phytosanitary Certificates (for plants and agricultural products) • Animal Health Certificates (for livestock or pet exports) These certificates confirm compliance with U.S. agricultural standards and are required for customs clearance or regulatory compliance in other countries. USDA documents must be signed by a federal officer and submitted for federal apostille in Washington, D.C.

Documents from the USPTO include: • Patent registration certificates • Trademark registration certificates • Certified assignment records These are often used in international business, licensing agreements, or legal disputes involving intellectual property. Apostilled versions of these documents confirm their authenticity and protect your rights in foreign jurisdictions.