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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".
A Consular Report of Death Abroad can only be created overseas at a U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate in the country the U.S. citizen died. We issue copies of Consular Reports of Death Abroad filed in 1975 or after to next of kin and legal representation for estate purposes.
If the Consular Report of Death Abroad was issued before 1975, contact the National Archives and Records Service.
To request a copy of a Consular Report of Death Abroad filed in 1975 or after, you must submit:
1. Submit a notarized letter with the following information:
2. Submit a copy of your 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
Note: Avoid delays by notarizing your request and including a copy of your valid photo identification.
Processing Times
Due to limited staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic, you should expect to receive your document in 3 to 4 months. Some documents may take longer than 16 weeks due to nationwide shipping delays. Because of the unique nature of our records, we cannot provide expedited service. We can only provide official copies of records that are on file with the U.S. Department of State.
As additional employees return to our office, we are working aggressively to address all pending requests. You will continue to experience delays receiving certified vital records and the return of any original documents submitted. You may check the status of your request by emailing VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov or by calling 202-485-8300.
Shipping
We will send your vital record to you. You can select First Class Mail or 1-2 Day Delivery:
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 which states the foreign country the apostille is needed for and a copy of a valid state-issued ID (e.g. driver's license) to the address listed below. Apostilles can only be attached to Consular Reports of Death Abroad that were issued in the last five years.
If you already have a consular document issued within the last five years, you don't need to pay for the apostille. If your Consular Report of Death Abroad was issued more than five years ago, you must submit a request for a new official copy of your record..
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
