Include your:

• Form DS-4194,
• Fees,
• Documents, and
• Self-addressed pre-paid envelope 

If you are traveling in more than 5 weeks, mail your materials to:

Office of Authentications
U.S. Department of State
44132 Mercure Circle
P.O. Box 1206
Sterling, VA  20166-1206

If you are traveling in 2 to 3 weeks, drop off your materials on Mondays through Thursdays between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at:

600 19^th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20006

Mail-in Service Reminders

• Use trackable mail from USPS. You will receive an update when your package arrives in the Sterling, VA postal facility.
• You will not receive an update when the package arrives up to several days later at our office in Washington, D.C.
• Your processing times begin when we receive the package in Washington, D.C.
• Include one self-addressed, prepaid envelope for return of your document. You must put the postage or air bill on the envelope. Use USPS or UPS. Please do not use FedEx on the return envelope.

On Mondays through Thursdays, we offer appointments from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Our office is at 600 19^th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006. We will process your request on the same day as your appointment. 

To make an appointment, you must email [email protected] and include the following documents:

• Proof of international travel within two weeks such as an airline ticket or itinerary.
• Proof that an immediate family member has died, is dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury. 
  • Examples include a death certificate, statement from a mortuary, or letter from a hospital signed by a doctor.
  • If the document is not in English, get it translated by a professional translator and notarized.