State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Arkansas
How Arkansas residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Arkansas state documents handled by the Arkansas Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Arkansas — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Arkansas residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Arkansas state documents go to the Arkansas Secretary of State in Little Rock.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Arkansas are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Arkansas Secretary of State.
- Arkansas state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Arkansas 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
- Arkansas Secretary of State
- Located in
- Little Rock
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Arkansas document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Arkansas state police check | Arkansas Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Arkansas birth, death or marriage certificate | Arkansas Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Arkansas | Arkansas Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Arkansas state court record | Arkansas Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Arkansas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
How we serve Arkansas
We serve Arkansas by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Arkansas is Memphis. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith and every other part of Arkansas.
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: Arkansas 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 Arkansas residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Arkansas:
Where are Arkansas state documents apostilled?
Arkansas-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Arkansas — are apostilled by the Arkansas Secretary of State, Business & Commercial Services, 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 Arkansas authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Arkansas Secretary of State, Business & Commercial Services |
|---|---|
| In person | Victory Building, 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201 |
| Mailing address | 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201 |
| Phone | 501-682-3409 |
| State fee per apostille | $10 |
Source: Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
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 Arkansas?
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).
Arkansas — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Arkansas?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Arkansas Secretary of State handles only Arkansas state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Arkansas state documents?
The Arkansas Secretary of State in Little Rock.
Which federal courts are in Arkansas?
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
Do I need to visit an office in Arkansas?
No. We work with Arkansas 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.