State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Kansas
How Kansas residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Kansas state documents handled by the Kansas Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Kansas — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Kansas residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Kansas state documents go to the Kansas Secretary of State in Topeka.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Kansas are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Kansas Secretary of State.
- Kansas state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Kansas 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
- Kansas Secretary of State
- Located in
- Topeka
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Kansas document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Kansas state police check | Kansas Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Kansas birth, death or marriage certificate | Kansas Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Kansas | Kansas Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Kansas state court record | Kansas Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Kansas
- U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
City guides: Wichita
How we serve Kansas
We serve Kansas by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Kansas is Denver. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Topeka and every other part of Kansas.
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: Kansas 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 Kansas residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Kansas:
Where are Kansas state documents apostilled?
Kansas-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Kansas — are apostilled by the Kansas Secretary of State, 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 Kansas authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Kansas Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Mailing address | Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612 |
| Phone | 785-296-4564 |
| Hours | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $10 |
| Processing time (published) | Generally 3–5 business days |
Source: Kansas 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 Kansas?
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 Kansas?
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).
Kansas — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Kansas?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Kansas Secretary of State handles only Kansas state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Kansas state documents?
The Kansas Secretary of State in Topeka.
Which federal courts are in Kansas?
U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.
Do I need to visit an office in Kansas?
No. We work with Kansas 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.