State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Hawaii
How Hawaii residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Hawaii state documents handled by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Hawaii — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Hawaii residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Hawaii state documents go to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in Honolulu.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Hawaii are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Hawaii Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
- Hawaii state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Hawaii Office of the Lieutenant Governor. 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
- Office of the Lieutenant Governor
- Located in
- Honolulu
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Hawaii document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Hawaii state police check | Office of the Lieutenant Governor |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Hawaii birth, death or marriage certificate | Office of the Lieutenant Governor |
| Document notarized in Hawaii | Office of the Lieutenant Governor |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Hawaii state court record | Office of the Lieutenant Governor |
Federal courts in Hawaii
- U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
City guides: Honolulu
How we serve Hawaii
We serve Hawaii by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Hawaii is San Francisco. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua and every other part of Hawaii.
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: Hawaii Office of the Lieutenant Governor — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for Hawaii residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Hawaii:
Where are Hawaii state documents apostilled?
Hawaii-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Hawaii — are apostilled by the Hawaii Office of the Lieutenant Governor, 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 Hawaii authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Hawaii Office of the Lieutenant Governor |
|---|---|
| In person | State Capitol, 5th Floor, 415 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813 |
| Mailing address | State Capitol, 5th Floor, 415 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813 |
| Phone | (808) 586-0255 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 7:45 AM–4:30 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $3 |
| Processing time (published) | 7–10 business days |
Source: Hawaii Office of the Lieutenant Governor — 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 Hawaii?
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 Hawaii?
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).
Hawaii — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Hawaii?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor handles only Hawaii state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Hawaii state documents?
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor in Honolulu.
Which federal courts are in Hawaii?
U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.
Do I need to visit an office in Hawaii?
No. We work with Hawaii 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.