State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Iowa
How Iowa residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Iowa state documents handled by the Iowa Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Iowa — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Iowa residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Iowa state documents go to the Iowa Secretary of State in Des Moines.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Iowa are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Iowa Secretary of State.
- Iowa state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Iowa 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
- Iowa Secretary of State
- Located in
- Des Moines
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Iowa document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Iowa state police check | Iowa Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Iowa birth, death or marriage certificate | Iowa Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Iowa | Iowa Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Iowa state court record | Iowa Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Iowa
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
How we serve Iowa
We serve Iowa by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Iowa is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City and every other part of Iowa.
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: Iowa 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 Iowa residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Iowa:
Where are Iowa state documents apostilled?
Iowa-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Iowa — are apostilled by the Iowa Secretary of State, Business 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 Iowa authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services |
|---|---|
| In person | Lucas Building, First Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 |
| Mailing address | Lucas Building, First Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 |
| Phone | (515) 281-5204 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–3:30 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $5 |
| Processing time (published) | Same day walk-in |
Source: Iowa 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 Iowa?
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 Iowa?
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).
Iowa — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Iowa?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Iowa Secretary of State handles only Iowa state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Iowa state documents?
The Iowa Secretary of State in Des Moines.
Which federal courts are in Iowa?
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
Do I need to visit an office in Iowa?
No. We work with Iowa 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.