Certificate of Naturalization and Certificate of Citizenship Apostille and Legalization
Certificate of Naturalization and U.S. Department of State apostille. We help clients obtain federal apostilles or authentications for USCIS-certified true copies of Certificates of Naturalization and Certificates of Citizenship, arrange additional embassy or consulate legalization when required, and ship worldwide.
If you need to present a U.S. Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship in another country, you may first need to obtain a certified true copy from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The certified copy can then be submitted to the U.S. Department of State for an apostille or authentication certificate.
SF Notary + Apostille can manage the federal apostille or authentication process, arrange any additional embassy or consulate legalization required for a non-Hague country, and ship the completed document to you or another recipient in the United States or abroad.
Certificate of Naturalization vs. Certificate of Citizenship
Both documents are issued by USCIS and serve as evidence of U.S. citizenship, but they are issued under different circumstances.
A Certificate of Naturalization is generally issued to someone who becomes a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process and takes the Oath of Allegiance.
A Certificate of Citizenship is generally issued to someone who acquired or derived U.S. citizenship through a U.S.-citizen parent. For example, the person may have become a citizen automatically at birth or while under age 18 but later obtained the certificate as formal evidence of that citizenship.
Although the basis for citizenship is different, the process for using either certificate abroad is generally the same:
Obtain a USCIS-certified true copy of the certificate.
Submit the certified copy to the U.S. Department of State for an apostille or authentication.
Complete embassy or consulate legalization if required by the destination country.
Ship the completed document to its final destination.
Because requirements can vary, confirm with the foreign authority or receiving party whether it wants a certified copy of the Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, a U.S. passport, or another form of citizenship evidence.
What Is a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship Apostille?
A federal apostille authenticates the official USCIS certification attached to a true copy of a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship. It does not verify the information contained in the certificate or determine whether the certificate will satisfy a particular foreign legal requirement.
Because USCIS is a federal agency, these documents are apostilled or authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications, not the California Secretary of State Apostille Division.
The destination country determines which process applies:
Hague Apostille Convention countries: The U.S. Department of State issues an apostille.
Non-Hague countries: The U.S. Department of State issues an authentication certificate. The document may then require legalization by the destination country’s embassy or consulate.
We will confirm the appropriate process, current estimated timeline, and required fees when preparing your quote.
How to Get a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship Apostilled
Step 1: Obtain a Certified True Copy From USCIS
Your original Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship is an important identity and citizenship document. In addition, some older certificates may not contain a signature or certification that the U.S. Department of State can authenticate. For these reasons, obtaining a USCIS-certified true copy is generally the most common and reliable path for apostille or authentication.
To obtain a certified true copy of a Certificate of Naturalization, the certificate holder must bring the original certificate and a valid photo ID (such as a passport or driver license) to a scheduled appointment with a USCIS field officer at their local USCIS office. During the appointment, the officer will make a photocopy of the certificate and attach a certified true copy certificate, which you can take with you.
At this time, these appointments can only be scheduled by phone. Call +1 (800) 375-5283 and tell the automated system that you need a certified true copy of your Certificate of Naturalization. You should be connected to a live representative who will provide you with a service request number. A USCIS representative will then call you back to schedule the appointment. Please note that it may take several days to receive this call. If you are working with a tight deadline, let the USCIS representative know when making your request. If you have not received an appointment, you may call back every few days to check the status. Have your service-request number ready and politely remind the representative of your deadline. Remain courteous and patient, as appointment availability is determined by USCIS.
The USCIS appointment and certified-copy process are separate from our services. We are not authorized to act as your agent in scheduling or attending a USCIS appointment. The certificate holder must contact USCIS directly and generally must appear in person with the original certificate and valid identification.
Step 2: Email Us for a Price Quote
Email info@sfnotary.com with:
Your full name, current location, and telephone number
Whether you have a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
A clear scan of the certificate and, if already obtained, the USCIS certification attached to the copy
The country where the document will be presented
Your deadline, if any
The recipient’s full name, delivery address, telephone number, and email address
The company or organization name, if the shipment is going to a business
Pricing and processing requirements depend on the destination country, whether embassy or consulate legalization is required, and the final shipping destination. We will respond with a quote, estimated timeline, and payment instructions.
Step 3: Send the USCIS-Certified Copy to Us
For clients in the San Francisco Bay Area, we may be able to pick up the USCIS-certified true copy from your home or office. A pickup fee may apply depending on your location.
If you are outside the Bay Area, or if shipping is more convenient, we can provide a prepaid FedEx Priority Overnight label so you can send the document to us securely.
Please do not send your original or certified copy of you Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship until after you send us a scan of it for review and we confirm it is eligible for U.S. Department of State certification.
Step 4: We Complete the Apostille or Legalization Process
After receiving the document, we will submit the USCIS-certified true copy to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications.
For a Hague Convention country, we will obtain a federal apostille. For a non-Hague country, we will obtain a federal authentication certificate and, when required, arrange additional legalization through the appropriate embassy or consulate.
Requirements, fees, and processing times can change. We will explain the applicable steps and provide a current estimated timeline before beginning the service.
Step 5: We Scan and Ship the Completed Document
Once the apostille or authentication and any required embassy or consulate legalization are complete, we can email you a scan and ship the documents by:
FedEx Priority Overnight within the United States
FedEx International Priority for overseas destinations
Start Your Certificate Apostille Request
For assistance with a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship apostille, authentication, or embassy legalization, email info@sfnotary.com or call +1 (415) 655-9455.
Please include the information listed previously on this page so we can confirm your document is acceptable, determine the correct legalization path, and provide an accurate quote.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes. USCIS appointment procedures, document requirements, government fees, and processing times may change. SF Notary + Apostille is not a law firm and does not provide legal or immigration advice. Confirm the receiving authority’s requirements before ordering service, and consult a qualified attorney if you need advice about citizenship, immigration status, or the legal sufficiency of your documents.