State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Delaware
How Delaware residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Delaware state documents handled by the Delaware Department of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Delaware — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Delaware residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Delaware state documents go to the Delaware Department of State in Dover.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Delaware are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Delaware Division of Corporations.
- Delaware state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Delaware Division of Corporations. 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
- Delaware Department of State
- Located in
- Dover
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Delaware document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Delaware state police check | Delaware Department of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Delaware birth, death or marriage certificate | Delaware Department of State |
| Document notarized in Delaware | Delaware Department of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Delaware state court record | Delaware Department of State |
Federal courts in Delaware
- U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
How we serve Delaware
We serve Delaware by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Delaware is Philadelphia. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Wilmington, Dover, Newark and every other part of Delaware.
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: Delaware Division of Corporations — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for Delaware residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Delaware:
Where are Delaware state documents apostilled?
Delaware-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Delaware — are apostilled by the Delaware Division of Corporations, 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 Delaware authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Delaware Division of Corporations |
|---|---|
| In person | 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901 In-person assistance by appointment |
| Mailing address | PO Box 898, Dover, DE 19903 |
| Phone | (302) 739-3073 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $30 |
Source: Delaware Division of Corporations — 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 Delaware?
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 Delaware?
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).
Delaware — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Delaware?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Delaware Department of State handles only Delaware state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Delaware state documents?
The Delaware Department of State in Dover.
Which federal courts are in Delaware?
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
Do I need to visit an office in Delaware?
No. We work with Delaware 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.