Form DS-4194: Request for Authentications Service
Form DS-4194, “Request for Authentications Service,” is the U.S. Department of State form that must accompany every document sent to the Office of Authentications for a federal apostille or authentication certificate. If you need an FBI background check apostilled, this is the form that goes with it.
What Is Form DS-4194?
The Office of Authentications certifies federal documents for use in other countries. Form DS-4194 is its request form: it tells the office who is asking, how many documents are enclosed, and which country they will be used in. The country matters because it decides what you receive.
- Apostille: issued when the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Authentication certificate: issued when the destination country is not a member. These documents usually need a further step at that country’s embassy or consulate.
Our guide to apostille and authentication services explains the difference in more detail.
When Do You Need Form DS-4194?
You need it for documents issued by a federal agency or certified by a federal official. Common examples:
- FBI background checks (Identity History Summary)
- Certificates of naturalization and other federal immigration records
- Documents from federal courts
- Records from agencies such as the USDA, FDA, USPTO or Social Security Administration
State-issued documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates and notarized papers, are handled by the Secretary of State in the state that issued them and do not use Form DS-4194. See our apostille services for those.
How to Complete and Submit Form DS-4194
- Download the current Form DS-4194 from the U.S. Department of State.
- Enter your contact details, the number of documents, and the country where each document will be used.
- Enclose the original document or documents to be authenticated.
- Include the fee of $20 per document. Mailed requests are paid by check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State.
- Add a self-addressed, prepaid return envelope.
- Mail the package to the Office of Authentications in Sterling, Virginia, at the address listed on the Department of State website.
Fees and Processing Times
The U.S. Department of State charges $20 per document. As of its February 2026 guidance, mailed requests are processed within five weeks of receipt and walk-in drop-off requests within seven business days. Same-day emergency appointments are limited to qualifying cases. Processing times change, so check the Department of State website before you send anything.
For what our own service costs, see apostille service pricing.
Common Form DS-4194 Mistakes
- Naming the wrong destination country, which produces the wrong type of certificate
- Sending a state-issued document that the federal office cannot authenticate
- Paying the wrong amount, or making the check payable to the wrong payee
- Leaving out the prepaid return envelope
- Using an outdated version of the form
Any of these can get a request returned unprocessed, which restarts the wait.
Let Us Handle Form DS-4194 for You
We prepare Form DS-4194, check your documents before they are submitted, and manage the request with the Office of Authentications. Learn more about our FBI apostille services, or contact us to get started.
Form DS-4194 FAQ
Is Form DS-4194 required for an FBI background check apostille?
Yes. An FBI background check is a federal document, so it is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, and every request to that office must include Form DS-4194.
How much does it cost to file Form DS-4194?
The form itself is free. The Department of State charges $20 for each document it authenticates.
Can I use one Form DS-4194 for several documents?
Yes. The form asks for the number of documents enclosed, and the fee applies to each one.