Document Journey Guide

This office will only mail to the document owner's address on file. After the customer receives it, the next mailing goes to the runner or government address.

Where it can be sent

The sealed response is mailed first-class United States Postal Service to the address the document owner provides. Do not enclose a prepaid return envelope, and do not ask the Federal Bureau of Investigation to forward the result to the United States Department of State for apostille — the Federal Bureau of Investigation refuses to do that.

Who can request

Only the individual, or a Federal Bureau of Investigation-approved Channeler that delivers the result electronically, may request. No general third-party mailing.

Fees

$18 per person (channelers add their own fee). Indigency waiver available.

Timing

Online: ~48 hours after electronic fingerprints. Mailed cards: ~10 days once received. Total mail turnaround up to ~15 days.

Heads up: One sealed response per $18 fee. Plain white paper — no seal or ribbon. Because it can only go to the document owner's address, the customer receives it first, then forwards it to the runner or government address for apostille.

This office mails to whichever return address is supplied. The return destination should be the runner or the government office handling the next step.

Where it can be sent

The Line 3a address on Form 8802 is used for all correspondence and delivery. No P.O. box and no care-of address — certification may be denied. Form 6166 can be mailed straight to the runner or government address if that destination is named on Line 3a and Line 3b.

Who can request

Yes — Form 8802 Line 3b names a third-party appointee (written authorization); Line 3a can direct the 6166 to that appointee's address. Form 8821 / 2848 may also apply.

Fees

$85 per Form 8802 (individuals); $185 (non-individuals).

Timing

File with full fee at least 45 days before you need Form 6166.

Heads up: Form 6166 is issued from the Internal Revenue Service Philadelphia campus. If it should go directly to the runner or government address, put that destination on Line 3a and name that destination on Line 3b.

This office mails to whichever return address is supplied. The return destination should be the runner or the government office handling the next step.

Where it can be sent

Must include one self-addressed prepaid return envelope with postage. United States Postal Service or United Parcel Service only — do not use Federal Express on the return envelope. That envelope should be addressed to the runner or government office handling the next step.

Who can request

Anyone may submit on behalf of the document owner (Form DS-4194 by mail or in person; walk-in limit 15 documents / day).

Fees

$20 per document. Check or money order by mail; card in person. Non-refundable.

Timing

Mail: ~5 weeks. Walk-in drop-off/pickup: 7 business days. Emergency same-day service available in person.

Heads up: Mail to Sterling, VA PO Box. Walk-in: 600 19th Street NW, Washington, DC.

This document is delivered online or as a Portable Document Format file — there is no mailing step at the issuing office. Print or download it, then send the physical copy to the runner or government office for apostille.

Where it can be sent

Effective January 22, 2026, requests must be online. Responses are delivered to the applicant's United States Citizenship and Immigration Services online account — no physical mailing.

Who can request

Yes — with the subject's written permission, traditionally Form G-639. An attorney or accredited representative can request via their own United States Citizenship and Immigration Services online account; responses can be forwarded to another person.

Fees

Freedom of Information Act basic requests generally have no fee. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Genealogy Program charges its own fees.

Timing

Varies widely. Expedited processing available when tied to a scheduled immigration-judge hearing.

Heads up: Records over 100 years old are handled via the Genealogy Program. Each request is per person.

This office mails to whichever return address is supplied. The return destination should be the runner or the government office handling the next step.

Where it can be sent

Federal court records are public. Certified copies come from the specific District Court Clerk's Office where the case was filed — that clerk sets its own delivery rules.

Who can request

Records are public, so a third party may request. Certified copies are requested from and issued by the District Court Clerk's Office.

Fees

Public Access to Court Electronic Records per-page fees apply for electronic access. Certified-copy fees are set by each individual court.

Timing

Set by the individual court — not published centrally.

Heads up: Electronic case files come from Public Access to Court Electronic Records. Certified copies come only from the Clerk's Office.

This document is delivered online or as a Portable Document Format file — there is no mailing step at the issuing office. Print or download it, then send the physical copy to the runner or government office for apostille.

Where it can be sent

Delivered electronically only, through the applicant's electronic certificate account — there is no mailing address.

Who can request

The United States exporting firm or facility applies through the appropriate electronic certificate system. Certificate is provided directly to the requesting country as a downloadable Portable Document Format file, and the applicant is emailed access instructions.

Fees

Capped at $175 per certificate. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research: $175 first, $90 second, $40 subsequent. Other centers vary.

Timing

Electronic Certificates of Pharmaceutical Product are issued within about 20 days of receipt. Invoicing is quarterly.

Heads up: Food and Drug Administration export certificates expire after 24 months and cannot be reissued — plan the foreign filing around that window.

This document is delivered online or as a Portable Document Format file — there is no mailing step at the issuing office. Print or download it, then send the physical copy to the runner or government office for apostille.

Where it can be sent

The online version is a Portable Document Format file the beneficiary downloads instantly. Mailed versions go to the address on file with Social Security Administration — the beneficiary's address, not a third party's.

Who can request

The beneficiary can obtain it via their my Social Security account, by phone, or in person. A representative payee can obtain it for the person they serve.

Fees

Free.

Timing

Online: immediate Portable Document Format file. Phone or in-person requests: mailed to the address on file with Social Security Administration.

Heads up: Fastest path is the online my Social Security account — the Portable Document Format file can be printed and then routed for apostille.

This office will only mail to the document owner's address on file. After the customer receives it, the next mailing goes to the runner or government address.

Where it can be sent

The state office mails certified copies only to the address of a person entitled to receive an authorized copy. It cannot be diverted to a third-party address.

Who can request

Only the authorized applicant may request. Sworn statement (with notarized signature) is required for authorized certified copies.

Fees

Set by California Department of Public Health — check the current fee schedule before mailing.

Timing

Mail turnaround is several weeks and varies by season.

Heads up: For apostille, only the full long-form California Department of Public Health certified copy is accepted. Because it goes to the document owner first, plan a second mailing step to forward it to the runner or government address.

This office mails to whichever return address is supplied. The return destination should be the runner or the government office handling the next step.

Where it can be sent

Most Superior Courts return by the self-addressed stamped envelope you enclose with the mail request. That envelope should be addressed to the runner or the government office handling the next step.

Who can request

Public records — any requester may ask. Confidential cases (juvenile / adoption / sealed) still require a party with photo ID or a court order.

Fees

Common pattern: $40 per certification, $0.50 per page, $15 name search over 10 minutes. Exact schedule varies by court.

Timing

Typically within one week once the request is received; offsite retrieval can add 1–2 weeks.

Heads up: Several courts will not return certified copies by email — plan on mail. Check that court's page for cash / check / card rules.

This office mails to whichever return address is supplied. The return destination should be the runner or the government office handling the next step.

Where it can be sent

Most Clerk-Recorders will return by self-addressed stamped envelope addressed to whatever address the requester supplies. For this service, use the runner or government address for the next step.

Who can request

Recorded documents are public — a third party may request. Fictitious business name filings have their own signer / registrant rules.

Fees

Set by each county. Always confirm the current schedule.

Timing

Varies by county — many hold 1–2 business days for indexing.

Heads up: For apostille of California birth / marriage / death, use California Department of Public Health (state office) — county copies signed by a Local Registrar may not be accepted by California Secretary of State.