Long shot--Anyone have a number for the US Dept. of State Authentications Office?

CaptainSerious

These FBI clearances are going to be the death of me.  So we got them back, and had to get Apostilles from the US Dept. of State Authentications Office.  If you go in person, they'll do them while you wait, but only from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or something ridiculous like that.  If you mail them, it takes about 15 business days.  We thought about using a courier to go in person, but he wanted $80, on top of the relatively inexpensive $16 payable to the USDOS.  Since we had the time, we sent them in, and they were received today.

The DOS warns that incoming mail may take a few days to clear their security process.  They also say that if you don't provide a UPS/FedEx prepaid return label or postage-paid envelope they will return it through their mail room, which could add 2-3 weeks onto your wait!  This just blows my mind.

So, we sent a return UPS envelope and label and were feeling good about things...until I noticed on Sunday that our account number was not preprinted on the label!  It seems that when UPS changed their order forms I didn't check the box to have this information filled out, but thought I did.  So the feds now have our stuff and won't be able to send it back through UPS, adding as much as 2-3 weeks onto our wait-time.

I need to contact someone there so I can give them our account number or mail them a new label.  I tried e-mailing their customer service address to no avail, despite their claim that all e-mails received a response within 48 hours.  They don't publish a phone number for inquires, because they say they get too many requests.  I'm getting pretty bent out of shape at how non-responsive and consumer unfriendly they are.

Dragonfly_Bride

Try:  ( 202) 647-5002, it might just be a recording, though. But, I also found that #  listed as their fax #, so maybe try sending a fax? I also found this fax # in a 2003 document: (202) 647-2370 and this info,too:

Certified by the Department of State Authentication office located at:

518 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20520
Tel. 800/688-9889 option #6 or 202/647-5002

Fax 202/663-3636 

 

Good luck!!! 

CaptainSerious

Dragonfly_Bride:

Try:  ( 202) 647-5002, it might just be a recording, though. But, I also found that #  listed as their fax #, so maybe try sending a fax? I also found this fax # in a 2003 document: (202) 647-2370 and this info,too:

Certified by the Department of State Authentication office located at:

518 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20520
Tel. 800/688-9889 option #6 or 202/647-5002

Fax 202/663-3636 

 

Good luck!!! 

Thanks.

The 5002 number is just a recording that won't even take messages.  The 800 number is for fed info, and they just give/forward you to the 5002 number.

I may have to fax them, but I'm not sure it would be any better than e-mailing them.

 

CaptainSerious

jennyk213:

I practice immigration law so I deal with the Dept. of State a lot, albeit not with the Authentications Department.  You're right, they are very unresponsive and not terribly helpful.  I would fax and email every 48 hours.  If you have some sort of tracking number or case number, put that in the subject line.  Make your actual email very concise - question first along with your account number and your name and identifying information at the end.  With any luck, even if they don't respond, they will just grant your request.

I'm also sending you a PM with the authentication office chief's number.  Not sure if it actually goes to her or her receptionist.

If all else fails, maybe a courier would go for you.  I know it's a lot of money but it might be worth it. 

I got so excited when I saw your e-mail, so thank you very much!

Unfortunately, I tried the number you gave me and it's an answering machine.  Apparently, "due to the number of calls, [they] cannot answer."  At least this line allows you to leave a message, in hopes of a return call.  Unfortunately, the mailbox was full. 

I have a feeling they wouldn't have so many calls if they were as responsive to e-mails as claim. 

ETA:  I can't resend the whole package, because they were my original FBI clearances that I need to have authenticated.  A copy won't work, and the only way to get new originals would be to be fingerprinted again and wait for the FBI to run the background checks.

CaptainSerious

Thanks so much!

CaptainSerious

GAH!  And now that number you gave me just forwards to the recorded 5002 message!

CaptainSerious

Thanks so much, Jenny!