State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Kentucky
How Kentucky residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Kentucky state documents handled by the Kentucky Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Kentucky — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Kentucky residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Kentucky state documents go to the Kentucky Secretary of State in Frankfort.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Kentucky are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Kentucky Secretary of State.
- Kentucky state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Kentucky 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
- Kentucky Secretary of State
- Located in
- Frankfort
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Kentucky document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Kentucky state police check | Kentucky Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Kentucky birth, death or marriage certificate | Kentucky Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Kentucky | Kentucky Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Kentucky state court record | Kentucky Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Kentucky
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
City guides: Louisville
How we serve Kentucky
We serve Kentucky by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Kentucky is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and every other part of Kentucky.
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: Kentucky 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 Kentucky residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Kentucky:
Where are Kentucky state documents apostilled?
Kentucky-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Kentucky — are apostilled by the Kentucky Secretary of State, Authentications and Apostilles, 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 Kentucky authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Kentucky Secretary of State, Authentications and Apostilles |
|---|---|
| In person | 1025 Capital Center Drive, Suite 201, Frankfort, KY 40601 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 718, Frankfort, KY 40602 |
| Phone | (502) 564-3490 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $5 |
| Processing time (published) | Mail within 3 business days; walk-in while you wait |
Source: Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
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 Kentucky?
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).
Kentucky — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Kentucky?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Kentucky Secretary of State handles only Kentucky state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Kentucky state documents?
The Kentucky Secretary of State in Frankfort.
Which federal courts are in Kentucky?
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.
Do I need to visit an office in Kentucky?
No. We work with Kentucky 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.