The Department of State, Authentications Office is responsible for signing and issuing certificates under the Seal of the U.S. Department of State (22 CFR, Part 131) providing authentication services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals on documents that will be used overseas. This office receives a variety of documents from commercial organizations, private citizens, and officials of the Federal and State governments. Documents include but not limited to: company bylaws, powers of attorney, trademarks, diplomas, transcripts, distributorship agreements, articles of incorporation, good standing certificates, home studies, letters of reference etc. It also ensures that the requested information will serve in the interest of justice and is not contrary to U.S. policy.
The authentication fee is $8.00 per document. A personal/company check or money order made payable to the U.S. Department of State must be submitted with document. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted for walk-in service only.
Processing Time
The Authentication of documents by mail currently takes about 6 to 7 days to process from the time of receipt in the Authentications office. Documents sent through the U.S. mail can be delayed by several weeks in arriving at the Authentications Office because of the irradiation process.
Cover Letter
Please include a (cover letter) with your name, telephone number, address and email address. Please indicate the name of the country where the document will be used. We suggest using a self-addressed stamped envelope for faster return of your documents. Documents received without a return envelope and postage will be returned through the State Department regular mail, which can result in a 2-3 week delay. We suggest you use Fed/Ex, UPS, and express mail services for faster receipt/return of your documents. However, you must enclose a prepaid air bill and envelope.
Sending to Foreign Embassies or Consulates
The Authentications Office will mail documents directly to a foreign Embassy or Consulate if you provide a cover-letter, the correct fee, and a pre-paid (or stamped), pre-addressed envelope. Please enclose an additional prepaid (or stamped) self-addressed stamped envelope for the embassy or consulate to return the document.
Customs Declaration CN22 -- Sender's Declaration
A PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN22 – Sender’s Declaration, must be used on all First-Class Mail International® package-size items (small packets), the Priority Mail International® Small Flat Rate Box, M-bags, and certain Express Mail International® items. Refer to the International Mail Manual at pe.usps.com for additional information.
Also use this form on a First-Class Mail International mailpiece or the Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope if any of the following applies:
NOTE: Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and First-Class Mail International large envelopes (flats) containing only documents, weighing under 16 ounces, and meeting the flat-size characteristics do not require a PS Form 2976.
Mailing Address
U.S. Department of State
Authentications Office
518 23rd Street, NW SA-1
Columbia Plaza
Washington, DC 20520
Open only from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Monday thru Friday except Federal Holidays
Each customer (company) is limited to 15 documents per day on a while-you-wait basis.
Location
Authentications Office -- Columbia Plaza Store Front
518 23rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20520Directions by Metro Rail
Nearest Metro Station - Foggy Bottom-GWU
Use Blue or Orange Metro rail to Foggy Bottom-GWU stop.
Exit Metro onto 23rd Street and turn right. Walk down 3 blocks,
Cross Virginia Avenue, walk down to Columbia Plaza on right.
Enter center courtyard; the office is at the far left corner of the courtyard area.
Because of the high volume of requests, there may be a delay in responding to telephone and fax inquiries.
When submitting an inquiry via telephone or fax, you must indicate if you included a (cover letter), with your full name or name of company, type of document, country of use, number of document(s), complete return address, type of mail service used to return the document (s) and type of payment submitted.
Status inquiries are taken Monday through Friday (except Federal Holidays) from 7:00am to 3:45pm EST.
Phone: 202-663-1848
Fax: 202-663-3636
TDD: 202-663-3468
Office Hours, Location, and Fee Schedule
(recorded message only)
Phone: 202-647-5002
