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Records and Authentications > Requesting a Vital Record as a U.S. Citizen > How to Request a Copy of a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA)
Due to public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you should expect delays processing your request for vital record services. It may take us 3-4 months to process your request from the date we receive it. Please consider waiting to mail your request until we resume normal operations.
Our team has been heavily impacted by COVID-19 and we are experiencing extremely high call volumes. We are working to safely add resources to make sure we answer your inquiries and address new and pending cases as quickly as possible.
Status Updates: It may take up to 4 weeks from the day you apply until your application status is “In Process".
1. Submit a notarized typed or written letter with the following information:
2. Submit a copy of the requester's valid photo ID (e.g. driver's license)
3. Send a $50.00 check or money order. Additional copies are $50.00 each.
4. Mail the notarized request, copy of valid ID, and payment to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
To check the status of your request, call 202-485-8300 or email VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov
Apostilles are specialized certificates attached to your consular documents. If you need an apostille to satisfy foreign document requirements, you must submit a notarized request and a copy of a valid state-issued ID (e.g. driver's license) to the address listed below. If you already have a consular document issued within the last five years, you don't need to pay for the apostille. In addition to the Consular Report of Death Abroad, you can request other consular documents for $50 per copy:
You must ensure that the country for intended use is a member of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
Please send your notarized request and fee (if necessary) to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Circle
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
