Federal document
CDC Document Apostille
How to apostille CDC-issued health documents and vaccination records for residency, study or employment abroad — and what to do if your record isn't actually federal. $299 flat, all government fees included.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
Most vaccination records aren’t federal: clinic, pharmacy and state-registry records are state documents with a state apostille. Only genuinely CDC-issued documents go to the U.S. Department of State. Send us a photo and we’ll confirm which you have.
Key takeaways
- Issued by: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — never by a state.
- Certification first? Depends — federal records authenticate directly; state records don't.
- Through us: $299 all-in for Hague countries (10–12 business days) or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries (15–17 business days).
- Do it yourself: Form DS-4194 and a $20 fee per document — processed within 5 weeks by mail, or 7 business days if you drop it off in Washington, D.C.
Don’t have it yet? How to Get Vaccination Records for Use Abroad →
- Issuing agency
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- We can obtain it?
- No — you request it from the issuing source
- Certification first?
- Depends — federal records authenticate directly; state records don't
- Also known as
- vaccination record, health certificate, CDC letter, yellow card
Foreign universities, employers, and immigration authorities sometimes require an authenticated U.S. health or vaccination document. Where the record is genuinely CDC-issued, it authenticates federally through the U.S. Department of State.
But here's the part most people get wrong, and it's worth checking before you order anything.
On this page
What counts as a CDC document
The CDC issues certain health documents, letters, and records in specific circumstances — and those, being federal, authenticate through the U.S. Department of State. What the CDC does not generally do is hold or issue individual vaccination histories for the public; those live with your healthcare provider or your state's immunization registry.
The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (the yellow card) is a related case: it's a WHO-format document completed by an authorized provider, not a record the CDC issues to you on request.
Why it needs an apostille abroad
A foreign authority cannot verify a U.S. health document independently. The apostille from the U.S. Department of State certifies a federal document as genuine across the 120-plus Hague Convention countries; non-Hague destinations need that authentication plus embassy legalization.
Getting the right document
Start by identifying who actually issued what you have. If it's a genuine CDC-issued document, send it to us and we authenticate it federally. If it's from a provider, clinic, or state immunization registry, it's a state-level document — which means it authenticates through that state's Secretary of State, usually after notarization or state certification. For a Hague country, a state document needs only its own state’s apostille, which you request directly from that state’s Secretary of State. For a non-Hague country, we handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps once your state has authenticated it — and for Florida documents we handle the full three-step chain.
Is your record actually federal?
Quick test — who signed and sealed it?
- CDC-issued document or letter — federal. Authenticates through the U.S. Department of State. This is what this page covers.
- Provider, clinic or hospital record — not federal. Routes through the state, typically via notarization and state certification.
- State immunization registry printout — a state record. Routes through that state's Secretary of State.
- Yellow card (ICVP) — completed by an authorized provider, not issued by CDC on request. Usually routed as a state document.
If you're unsure, send us a photo before ordering. Getting this right at the start saves weeks.
Document preparation requirements
- Confirm who issued the document before ordering — federal vs. state changes the entire route.
- Submit the document exactly as issued.
- Do not notarize a federal record — it invalidates it for authentication.
- Don't laminate, staple across the seal, highlight, or annotate it.
- Tell us the destination country and what the foreign authority actually asked for.
The step-by-step process
Send us a photo first
We confirm whether your document is federal or state-issued, and what the destination requires — before you pay anything.
Obtain the right document
If what you have won't work, we tell you what will and where to get it.
Send it to us
Mail the original once we've confirmed it's the right document and route.
Authentication
Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.; state documents route through the issuing state's Secretary of State.
Apostille or authentication issued
You receive the apostille (Hague) or authentication certificate (non-Hague).
Embassy legalization & translation, if required
For non-Hague destinations we handle embassy legalization, and arrange certified translation where required.
Common rejection reasons — and how to avoid them
1. State record sent for federal authentication
Clinic and registry records aren't federal documents. Fix: route it through the issuing state instead — we'll confirm which.
2. Notarized federal record
A notary can't certify a federal document. Fix: submit federal documents as issued.
3. Wrong document for the requirement
Foreign authorities ask for specific health documentation. Fix: confirm what they need before obtaining anything.
4. Photocopy submitted
Copies generally can't be authenticated. Fix: use the issued original.
5. Damaged or altered record
Any marking invalidates it. Fix: submit it clean and unmodified.
Common uses
- Foreign residency and visa applications — where health documentation is part of the file.
- Study abroad and university enrollment — immunization requirements for international students.
- Employment overseas — particularly healthcare, education, and government roles.
- Travel to countries with entry health requirements — where proof must be authenticated.
Hague vs. non-Hague countries
| Destination | What you receive | Extra step |
|---|---|---|
| Hague country | Apostille from the U.S. Department of State | None — ready to use |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication certificate | Embassy / consulate legalization |
Pick your destination below, or see all countries we serve.
Official references: CDC — Vaccination Records · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document. Government fees are set by these agencies and are separate from our service fee.
CDC Documents apostille by country
Where the document is going decides the route. Hague members accept an apostille; non-Hague countries need embassy legalization on top. Pick your destination — every country we serve is listed A–Z:
CDC Documents by U.S. state
Federal documents are authenticated in Washington, D.C. from every state — but your state decides where state and notarized documents go. Find yours:
How long does the CDC Documents apostille take?
The U.S. Department of State is the only office that issues a federal apostille. Mailed in yourself, it is processed within 5 weeks of receipt; dropped off in person in Washington, D.C., within 7 business days. Through us it takes 10–12 business days, or 15–17 business days for a non-Hague country that also needs embassy legalization.
| Route | How | Processing time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail it yourself | Form DS-4194 + check to the Office of Authentications, Sterling, VA | Within 5 weeks of receipt | $20 per document + shipping |
| Drop it off yourself | 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. — Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, no appointment | Within 7 business days | $20 per document + travel |
| Emergency appointment | Only for a life-or-death family emergency with travel within 2 weeks | Same day | $20 per document |
| Through Federal Apostille USA | We review it, drop it off in D.C. and return it to you with tracking | 10–12 business days total | $299 all-in ($399 non-Hague) |
What does the CDC Documents apostille cost?
The government fee is $20 per document, paid with Form DS-4194. Our all-in price is $299 per document, covering the government fee, review, D.C. drop-off and U.S. return shipping; non-Hague destinations are $399 with embassy legalization.
Government figures: U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services (checked October 2026).
CDC Documents — FAQ
Is my vaccination card a federal document?
Usually not. Cards printed by a clinic, pharmacy, or pulled from a state immunization registry are state-level documents, even if they mention the CDC. Only genuinely CDC-issued documents authenticate federally. Send us a photo and we'll tell you which you have.
What do I do if my record is state-issued?
It routes through that state's Secretary of State, typically after notarization or state certification. For a Hague country, a state document needs only its own state’s apostille, which you request directly from that state’s Secretary of State. For a non-Hague country, we handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps once your state has authenticated it — and for Florida documents we handle the full three-step chain.
Can you get a vaccination record for me?
No — records come from your healthcare provider or your state's immunization registry. We help you identify the right source and then authenticate the document.
What about the yellow card (ICVP)?
The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is completed by an authorized provider, not issued by the CDC on request. It's generally routed as a state document — we'll confirm based on what you have.
How long does it take?
Federal apostille processing runs about 10–12 business days once we have the document. State routing timelines vary. Non-Hague countries add embassy legalization.
What does it cost?
Federal apostille is $299 per document, with government authentication fees and U.S. shipping included. For state documents, pricing depends on the state and destination.
Will I need a certified translation?
Universities and immigration authorities often require the document in their official language. We can arrange certified translation alongside the apostille.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.