How to Apostille Certificate of Naturalization?
Many have faced or are currently facing the issue of getting their Naturalization Certificates apostilled. So how do you get a Certificate of Naturalization Apostilled? It is not as simple as one may believe. Many apostille service agencies will tell you that you may notarize a copy of the document and have it apostilled or have a notary compare the copy to the original and notarize the document as a true copy. Well this is not true. Although in many cases the states did apostille such copies. Many state governments are catching up to the federal requirements and will not issue apostille for such Certificates of Naturalization. Furthermore, many foreign authorities will not accept such documents which are basically based entirely on your personal statement that the document is the copy of the original Certificate of Naturalization.
What is the proper way to apostille Certificate of Naturalization?
Well, first of all, you should make a copy of the original document and make an appointment with your local US Citizenship and Immigration Service office (US CIS). Make sure to take the original document, a copy thereof, and two forms of valid identification with you to the said appointment.
- at the appointment:
You shall request a Certified True Copy of your Certificate of Naturalization from the US CIS Officer. They will compare the copy and the original and issue a statement that the said copy is Certified Copy of the Original Certificate of Naturalization issued to you by the US CIS. It will also include your name and your Alien Registration number.
N.B: The form which US CIS used to issue was called G-24 Certification of Documents (Originals or Copies thereof). However, this might have changed recently and the actual form may be called differently. Nevertheless, it should be signed by an authorized officer of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service officer and must have embossed seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
- after the appointment:
Your Certified True Copy of the Certificate of Naturalization is now ready to be apostilled. Keep in mind that although your document may be issued in one of the States, it has been issued by a Federal Government agency. As the result the apostille for such document must also be obtained on the federal level, namely from the United States Department of State. You may apply in person or by mail to get an apostille for your Certificate of Naturalization. One detail for in-person application is that your document will no longer be available for the same day pickup. The processing times of the US State Department were changed and it may take anywhere from 3 to 5 business days to get the apostille. Mail-in requests will take even longer.
please call our office @ (212) 233-7061. Out of the country? Not a problem! Send us an email.
HINT: Out of the country? Not a problem! If you have left the US and require apostilled copy of the Naturalization Certificate, you may be in luck and you may not need to travel to the US to get it. Find out more by calling our office @ (212) 233-7061 or sending us an email.
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