DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in District of Columbia
In the District of Columbia, apostilles and authentication certificates are issued by the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA), a division of the DC Office of the Secretary at 899 North Capitol Street NE. ONCA authenticates documents that were notarized by a DC notary public or issued as certified copies by a DC government agency — it does not handle federal records such as FBI background checks or passports, which must instead go to the U.S. Department of State. If your document is in another language, or is a DC document headed to a non-English-speaking country, you will also need a certified translation, and the order in which you translate versus apostille matters. Translation HelpDesk pairs USCIS-ready certified translation at $0.05/word (most civil documents run $15-25) with clear guidance on the DC apostille workflow, so your paperwork clears on the first submission.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA), District of Columbia Office of the Secretary.
HOW IT WORKS IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Getting an Apostille in District of Columbia
To obtain a DC apostille or authentication, your document must first be notarized by a commissioned DC notary public or be a certified copy issued by a DC agency (for example, a DC Vital Records birth or marriage certificate, or a DC Public Schools transcript). You then submit it to ONCA either in person — walk-in hours are typically 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with same-day service and no appointment needed — or by mail to 899 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 8100, Washington, DC 20002. ONCA issues an apostille when the destination country belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention, or an authentication certificate (for later embassy legalization) when it does not. Key DC-specific point: federally issued documents are not handled by ONCA and instead require authentication by the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications, which is a separate office and a common source of confusion in Washington.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
For a DC or U.S. document going abroad, get the apostille from ONCA first, then have both the original and the apostille certificate translated — a very common mistake is translating first and leaving the apostille itself untranslated, which some foreign authorities reject. For a foreign-language document used inside the U.S. (USCIS, courts), the issuing country places the apostille on the original and Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English translation afterward. If the receiving country also wants the translation authenticated, we can supply a notarized translator's affidavit that a DC notary can sign, so ONCA can then apostille it.
Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) that USCIS accepts, and can advise on whether you need the apostille before or after translation for your specific document and destination.
FEES & TIMING
Cost & Turnaround
Apostille fee: ONCA's authentication/apostille fee is commonly published at about $15 per document (payable to the DC Treasurer by check, money order, or major credit card for walk-ins; no cash) — verify the current fee with the DC Office of the Secretary before filing. Translation HelpDesk certified translation is $0.05/word, with most civil documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates running $15-25 each.
Typical processing: In person: same-day service during ONCA's walk-in window (typically 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday-Friday). By mail: roughly 5 business days after ONCA receives a complete request, plus mailing time. Certified translation from Translation HelpDesk: 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Washington, DC?
The Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA), part of the DC Office of the Secretary, at 899 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 8100. ONCA handles documents notarized by a DC notary or certified copies issued by DC agencies; federally issued documents (FBI checks, passports) go to the U.S. Department of State instead.
How much does a DC apostille cost and how long does it take?
ONCA's fee is commonly listed at about $15 per document, but confirm the current amount before you file. Walk-in requests are usually processed the same day during the 9 AM-1 PM window, while mail-in requests generally take around 5 business days plus mailing time.
Should I translate my document before or after the apostille?
For a US or DC document heading overseas, get the apostille first, then translate both the document and the apostille certificate. For a foreign document used in the US, obtain the apostille abroad and add the certified English translation afterward. Translating in the wrong order — or forgetting to translate the apostille itself — is the most common reason documents get bounced.
Does USCIS require my foreign document to be apostilled?
USCIS itself usually does not require an apostille — it requires a complete, certified English translation of every foreign-language document. Apostilles matter mainly when a US document is sent abroad, or when a foreign government or court specifically asks for one. Translation HelpDesk provides the USCIS-ready certified translation and backs it with a USCIS Rejection Pledge.
Can Translation HelpDesk apostille my documents for me?
We are a certified translation provider, not an apostille courier, but we prepare your translation so it is apostille-ready — including a notarizable translator's affidavit when a destination country requires it — and walk you through ONCA's exact steps. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com for a free 250-word sample.