State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Indiana
How Indiana residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Indiana state documents handled by the Indiana Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Indiana — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Indiana residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Indiana state documents go to the Indiana Secretary of State in Indianapolis.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Indiana are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Indiana Secretary of State.
- Indiana state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Indiana 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
- Indiana Secretary of State
- Located in
- Indianapolis
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Indiana document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Indiana state police check | Indiana Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Indiana birth, death or marriage certificate | Indiana Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Indiana | Indiana Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Indiana state court record | Indiana Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
City guides: Indianapolis
How we serve Indiana
We serve Indiana by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Indiana is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend and every other part of Indiana.
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: Indiana 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 Indiana residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Indiana:
Where are Indiana state documents apostilled?
Indiana-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Indiana — are apostilled by the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services 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 Indiana authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division |
|---|---|
| In person | 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Up to 5 documents while you wait without an appointment |
| Mailing address | 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
| Phone | (317) 234-9768 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $2 |
| Processing time (published) | Normally 1–2 business days |
Source: Indiana 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 Indiana?
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 Indiana?
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).
Indiana — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Indiana?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Indiana Secretary of State handles only Indiana state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Indiana state documents?
The Indiana Secretary of State in Indianapolis.
Which federal courts are in Indiana?
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Do I need to visit an office in Indiana?
No. We work with Indiana 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.