Reviews of Office of Authentications (Notary Public)

Joseph Kennedy

If I could give a big fat zero star review I would. Two weeks ago I called the office to confirm if I could send my passport to them to get an Apostle, which the call agent confirmed it was okay with the supervisor. Good...I spent $25 for expedited shipping there and included a $30 expedited return envelope. Today I received my passport back with a letter attached, saying I need to get a copy of my passport notarized......are you kidding me. You have the original passport in hand, and why wouldn't you call me to let me know if there was an issue before you waste more of my money. This is government work, at it's finest hour. This office needs to be disbanded and allow for private entities to take over, it will be efficient and at the end of the day customers will be satisfied. Thanks for nothing!!!

Juan Pablo Yepez

Expect terrible service! First of all the automated phone system is hard to hear plus there is a glitch sound which is very annoying specially if you have headphones on. Secondly I had the same issue as Benjamin (below). I called to make sure the second order I mailed was correct and not sent back without contacting me beforehand. I spoke with a customer service agent who was extremely rude and not helpful at all.

Sachin Kumar

I like this place

Aurelio Aleman Villagrana

Loving life

ozias washington

Great staff! They know what documents are needed to get your passport if you didn't do your homework before hand. One tip I would give is get there early.

Shai M

I have been trying to call for the last 3 days for a document that’s been “received” for 2 weeks. The only reason I put it in quotes is because I’m going off of the USPS tracking service and not the department’s updates. This is absolutely ridiculous. I try calling different sections of the department of state to find out more information but it seems impossible to get a hold of a human. When I asked an operator he told me the status update section of the department was only open from 10am-11am. So I’ve been on the phone for 45 mins with no avail. I need a document signed so I can finally go back home for the summer but they decided that it’s best to avoid callers as much as possible. RIDICULOUS

David Johnston

Outstanding service and employees helped patient and all very knowledgeable.

Veronica Harvey

I mailed in my documents to be apostilled on May 27th, and received them back about one month later at the end of June. Definitely a long processing time but they came back to me. I left a ton of messages and they did finally return my call and leave me a voicemail. They're still open, but operations are much slower.

Zerihun Amare

Fast work.....

Madame T

They shouldn't say it will take 7 to 12 days to process when you mail it in. Been waiting for over one month now!

Carol Gonzalez

I stepped up to a window where an older African American lady was sitting as I was confused what window to go to. She proceeded to just yell at me the entire time and provide substandard customer service because she didn't want to take the time to help me. Trying to respect the building I was in, I tried to calmly ask her to please help me. She became more irate,kept yelling and disrespecting me while telling me that I had to call the appointment line for her to help me find my way . I just walked away.

Ivan jimenez

Walk-in hours are from 730 to 9am.

L DC

Terrible, terrible, terrible! I submitted my documents over a month ago and there is no follow up regardless how many times I have tried to connect with them. Nobody ever picks up the phone. Our hard working tax dollars are used for governmental employees salaries that are paid for services that we hardly ever get. Again, this is terrible and is worst than dealing with governmental employees from 3rd world countries.

WESAM

(Translated) government office (Original) مكتب حكومي

Bob Schrader

One of the worst experiences with a government office in 30 years of legal practice! Vague instructions. Impossible to reach a live person, after going through phone recording and pressing '1' disconnects. Sent documents with request to please call or email if any issues, 2 weeks later send back with a form letter that is even more vague and confusing than online instructions, say to call, but once again, impossible to reach a live person!! Horrible. Need to answer phones, draft clearer directions use email, something to help those you are suppose to serve!

Mary Martinez

Extremely rude service

Rin Bé

Ok

E. Evans

False lead-times. It takes weeks, still haven't gotten anything. When you press 1 for the first phone prompt, it hangs up you, beeps a couple times and you get disconnected. Horrible.

Travis Jones

I got my document back after 3.5 months - so it's no longer valid. The guy who answered the phone was nice enough, but they're understaffed and overwhelmed. I suggest that you check the vaccine schedule for DC and Loudon County, VA to see when they're allowed to start going back to the office, or call them and check.

mella mell

First of all their DS-4194 form would not print. When I downloaded the form and then tried to print it, I got 4 blank pages with a watermark. I then called the office directly and asked how to proceed. They said, "Oh, I thought that was taken care of . . ." Then they instructed me to write a cover letter stating what I wanted to be authenticated and how many copies I needed. I wrote the following letter: To Whom it may concern, Because I had difficulty printing out the request form DS-4194 for an authentication certificate, I am requesting the authentication of my MA diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in this letter. I have had the degree notarized, and legalized in ******, ********** [capitol and state] through the Secretary of State, and I am now requesting the final step in the authentication of my diploma for a teaching position in the ********** [government agency requiring the document] in the ********** [country for employment]. I would like two copies. Please find a notarized copy of my diploma with the paperwork from the Secretary of State for ********** [state], along with a check for $16.00 and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Additionally, I called last week to ask about the status of my request. I expected with that call that if there was any problem with the request, then I would have been informed about the problem and given a chance to clarify or correct any issue. Instead I was told that "It was scheduled to be mailed back to me that afternoon." I got a letter in the mail today saying that they could not process my request because of overpayment. Each copy costs $8.00 and my letter clearly states that I would like two copies. This whole process has taken two weeks, and this time has now been wasted. The time that has been wasted means that I will be in the USA longer than expected which puts me in danger of financial issues. Therefore, I plan to arrange overnight delivery to their office and back to me. I expect them to pay for the delivery fee and to make my request for authentication priority. I will update this review on Monday with how they respond.

David Petersen

ZERO STARS - Two Thumbs down!! There needs to be a zero star option. Trying to get an apostile application completed. A lady called and left a message with me to call back with some additional information. The lady did not leave her name. I called back with the requested information and the gentlemen simply hung up on me because he did not know how to help me. Isn't that kind?!

Chad Warden

The public can't even enter the building so what's the point? Waste of tax payer money

Kathy M

Typical government office with no presence or service. I called to follow up on legalization documents and had to endure the horrible voice mail message (so faint you can barely hear) and selected option 1 - was disconnected twice. So tried option 2 on third painful call and got a recording that said "the office is closed due to circumstances beyond our control." Really? Why don't they run these offices like businesses trying to make a profit - because they would be closed in a week. Frustrating!

Mu Midani

I had a very smooth walk-in experience with this office. The staff were very friendly. I got my papers on time. I believe if you are positive, people around you will be posited as well.

Julia Bland

For in-person drop-off: Arrive 7:00-7:15am. There is an informal line that forms outside the doors (be sure you're in the Authentications line and not the passport line). Others familiar with the process are happy to point you in the right direction. They open the doors at 7:30, not 8:00 as listed on the website. Dump your coffee before entering. Have your ID ready to be checked upon entry (be sure it isn't expired, broken or torn). Then you will go through a basic security check and have your bags scanned. You'll pass through a corridor that opens up to a lobby-type area. Get in line at the check-in window first. This will be the first window on your left as you enter. Push your documents through the little window slot. They'll flip through everything you have and then give you a receipt (this is just a big pre-printed two-page form printed on colored paper) and a number for your place at the next window. The pre-printed pick-up date is 3 business days later, so if you drop off on a Thursday, they'll be ready for pick up on Tuesday. Take a seat, fill out both pages of the "receipt". Be sure to bring a pen with you. Watch the screens carefully for your number to be "called"-- the intercom system wasn't working when I was there, so the screens were the only notification. Be vigilant. It's pretty fast and if you miss it, you'll have to return to the check-in window for a new number. When your number is called, go up to the window and push your documents and receipt through to the employee. They will keep the first page of your receipt and flip through your documents. They'll give the second page of the receipt back to you--you will need to bring this with you for document pick-up.Payment is made upon pick up of the documents, not during the drop off.

Magdy Youssef

Burecracy at its best form.

Astro Runner

it´s warning for the future people who might need to get service from the office of authentications.MAKE SURE YOUR GETTING THERE VERY EARLY BECAUSE THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE THAT PRETENDS TO NEED SERVICE FROM THE OFFICE, DON´T PAY TO GET PLACE IN LINE. tHEY ARE A FEW PEOPLE WHO HOLDS FRONT LINE PLACES. BE CAREFUL. IF FOR SOMEONE WHO CONCERNS IN THE OFFICE AUTHENTICATIONS, IT DOESN'T´T SEEMS GOOD VIEW FOR GOVERNMENTAL OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR WORSE LETTING IN PEOPLE AIN´T NO DECENT CLOTHING PRESENT.

Виталия Горбачёва

(Translated) To be or not to be? (Original) Быть, или не быть?

Enrique Sissa Mendlovic

When this office will open?

Abu Ghannam Nasser

Apostille by A Washington travel & Passport Visa Services. 13800 Coppermine Rd Herndon VA 20171

José Diez

Lots of negative comments. However, the day I went for an apostille. That was in 1999, in person, it was fast and efficient. I will have to go for the 2nd one soon. Will see.

Zoey K

I'm wondering if anybody is working at this place. I mailed my FBI background check for authentication almost three months ago. I have been tracking the return mail everyday, but I haven't received it yet. I tried to call several times, but no one answered and someone just hung up on me right after answered one time. Finally I needed to cancel my plans and I wasted $70. I understand that they are working with limited number of employees during this pandemic, but they should have stated expected time line exactly on their website; so, people do not waste their money and time. Also, there should be a online status check if no one wants to answer the phone.

Aashna Virmani

The worst experience ever with the Office of Auth. They are not professional at all and representatives hang up on you that’s if you can ever get to them. They have wasted my time and I hope I never have to deal with them ever again in my life. Unfriendly and rude staff who don’t care about you or the situation that you may be in because of delays from their end. With so many bad reviews I’m shocked nothing is being done about this. There should be an option to give 0 star in google reviews.

David Rosa

Called them looking for information, they hung up on me.

Kay Cee (K Cope TV)

Fast service!!!! Used the mail in service to Apostille an FBI Background report. The very polite customer service agent on the phone confirmed receipt and told me to check back at the end of the week. The whole process took SIX business days. The cost was $8.00 for the apostille and $25 for USPS express mail each way. There are services that quoted me $225 to send in the request for me. Glad I did it myself!!! Got the Apostille back today!!! Mailed the request on 8/16; received it on 8/24!!!

Kevin Seay

Lots of bad reviews on this place. Walk in service is smooth. Follow the directions on the website, turn around is 3 business days. People were super friendly and helpful.

Andrew Lucchesi

Painfully bureaucratic, slow, silly dropoff policy. There is a "status update" hotline that does not provide any updates in status. The State of VA, The State of NY and the Chinese consulate have all worked much quicker to authenticate documents. Their mail center is purgatory, with no contact. Why can I not pickup my document? Just because I mailed it in? I only mailed it in because you wouldn't let me drop it off! They do not provide any information and do not give any reasoning behind their silly policies. Very dissapointed.

Mitchell Nickerson

Honestly I can’t believe my tax dollars go here for this office to only accept document drop offs between 7:30-9am. How are you supposed to get reasonable service if you have to work with this timeframe? When i was turned away trying to drop my document off and asked if the only thing I could do was mail it, even the security guy paused *looked gravely, deeply into my eyes* and said “...you don’t want to do that...”. If you require their “services” for a visa and you don’t live within an hour or something from DC, you’re better off just enlisting the help of a Visa service and have them do everything for you. Office of Authentications through the US Department of State everybody, wow! Unbelievable...

Mihow McKenny

In early April, I sent a document in order to receive an apostille for it. The office confirmed receipt quickly. The gentleman I spoke to on the phone gave me a clear estimate of the total processing time, which is 2-3 months.

Benjamin Leiva

Bureaucracy at its finest. I needed an apostille and sent them everything by mail. They returned the original document and the check because the check didn't have a name and address. It did. I called them to ask what was the problem. They had no idea what was the problem, so they told me to send a money order. Why do they say the accept checks when they don't. Why don't they accept credit card payment online. They are still living in the beginning of the XX century. Note flash, pay was $9000 back then (in today's money), so perhaps they should pay them what they deserve. This organization would have ended a long time ago if it wasn't a government agency.

Dan Orca

Very unprofessional office. I have tried to pick up my document and was late by one minute went to the passport office by mistake. I tried to call but you have unprofessional operators. The worst place to come.

Shannon T

No one ever anwsers the phone！

Jose Chavez Ayala

Long waiting periods on the phone and you'll most likely won't be able to get ahold of anyone since they close at 3pm Eastern time. On top of that it's very hard to hear what they're saying since they have terrible sound quality phones or something. Their hold music sounds like funeral music or something, very depressing.

Eugenio Quantro-Plaga

When are they planning to reopen or at least have more people working? I completely support being Covid safe, but they have been closed for over a year and this is an essential service for most visa applications to be processed. In the case of Spain the background check with apostille has to be three months old or less in order to be valid. If it takes this office 3 months to issue the apostille that means it will automatically be invalid by the time the person recieves it. To make matters worse this is the only place you can get your FBI background check apostilled.

Denise Hadley

I have been waiting for nearly 4 months for an Apostille of our FBI reports. I cannot reach anyone to check on status. Very frustrating!

Cristina Muñoz

I've been waiting almost 3 months for an Apostille. I don't blame the employees, they are as much victims of this pandemic as anyone else, but the systemic failures of our federal government to meet the needs of its citizenry in a time of crisis is a travesty. No one answers the phone, and no way to get status updates.

Chris George

I've left about 15 messages in the last 2 weeks. NO response!! Now a young lady may not be able to get into her desired High school (Spain) because this Department & staff do not have the professionalism to return calls or answer the phone. Well done...fools. I'd give NO STARS if I could.

James Still

Processing times need to be fixed immediately, it's time to put proper protocols in place to have our government agencies functioning. Embarrassing.

Dan Hickman

These reviews are unjust. I operate an apostille service and request FBI Background Check Apostille services almost every day; therefore, I call the authentication office often and the employees are always very nice, helpful and friendly. The long delays in 2020 are obviously not their fault and they have no ability to add more staff, increase hours, etc. This group is working long hours to get things done, and I am appreciative of their hard work!

Alex P

The worst government agency ever! I called them to ask what kind of additional documents I need to attached to get an apostille for my document. They told me I need notarization. Then when I went to notarize the document, the notary said "I don't know what I need to notarize here - it's the original document". Then while still at the notary, I called them again, and by the way every time the hold time is about 10-15 minutes, another person told me that I need to email them a copy of the document to review it but they couldn't tell me how long I need to wait until they review it. I told them that I am asking because I am in front of the notary, they said it's up to me whether to wait for their call there or go back to work. I decided to wait, thankfully they called back quickly but the quality of the call suddenly became so bad that I could barely hear them. I asked them to call me back they said no, and I couldn't understand why, because the quality of the call was so bad. So eventually I called them again, and of course a new representative had no idea what I was talking about. Worst customer service ever! I know there is no other option, because it's the government service, just be prepared for a very low competency level of the government workers.

walid chatila

Been calling them for a week to follow up on my documents and finally an agent answered today and she was so rude. I dont get it why do you have to work with customers if you dont answer the phone calls and have an attitude??????????? Now im still waiting for my diplomas and i hope i wont lose them!

Lukas Doppler

They are OK, but waiting times AND opening times are R I D I C U L O U S