State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Maine
How Maine residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Maine state documents handled by the Maine Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Maine — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Maine residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Maine state documents go to the Maine Secretary of State in Augusta.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Maine are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Maine Secretary of State.
- Maine state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Maine 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
- Maine Secretary of State
- Located in
- Augusta
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Maine document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Maine state police check | Maine Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Maine birth, death or marriage certificate | Maine Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Maine | Maine Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Maine state court record | Maine Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Maine
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
How we serve Maine
We serve Maine by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Maine is Boston. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, Augusta and every other part of Maine.
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: Maine 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 Maine residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Maine:
Where are Maine state documents apostilled?
Maine-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Maine — are apostilled by the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions, 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 Maine authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions |
|---|---|
| Mailing address | 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101 |
| Phone | 207-624-7752 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $10 |
| Processing time (published) | 10–15 business days |
Source: Maine 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 Maine?
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 Maine?
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).
Maine — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Maine?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Maine Secretary of State handles only Maine state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Maine state documents?
The Maine Secretary of State in Augusta.
Which federal courts are in Maine?
U.S. District Court for the District of Maine.
Do I need to visit an office in Maine?
No. We work with Maine 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.