State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Alabama
How Alabama residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Alabama state documents handled by the Alabama Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Alabama — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Alabama residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Alabama state documents go to the Alabama Secretary of State in Montgomery.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Alabama are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Alabama Secretary of State.
- Alabama state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Alabama Secretary of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles.
- 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.
- State apostille office
- Alabama Secretary of State
- Located in
- Montgomery
- Federal court districts
- 3
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Alabama document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Alabama state police check | Alabama Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Alabama birth, death or marriage certificate | Alabama Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Alabama | Alabama Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Alabama state court record | Alabama Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Alabama
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
City guides: Birmingham
How we serve Alabama
We serve Alabama by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Alabama is Atlanta. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile and every other part of Alabama.
Pricing is flat: $299 per document for Hague countries (10–12 business days) and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization (15–17 business days), government fees included.
Official sources: Alabama Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for Alabama residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Alabama:
Where are Alabama state documents apostilled?
Alabama-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Alabama — are apostilled by the Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division, not by the U.S. Department of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles, so request it directly from the office below. If it is going to a non-Hague country, get the Alabama authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division |
|---|---|
| In person | 11 South Union Street, Suite 224, Montgomery, AL 36130 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103-5616 |
| Phone | (334) 242-5325 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $5 |
Source: Alabama Secretary of State — official apostille page (checked October 2026). Fees, hours and appointment rules change — confirm with the office before you send anything.
How long does a federal apostille take from Alabama?
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 a federal apostille cost from Alabama?
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).
Alabama — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Alabama?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Alabama Secretary of State handles only Alabama state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Alabama state documents?
The Alabama Secretary of State in Montgomery.
Which federal courts are in Alabama?
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama; U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama.
Do I need to visit an office in Alabama?
No. We work with Alabama clients by mail and handle the Washington submission for you.
How much does a federal apostille cost?
$299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees and U.S. shipping included.
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.