State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Maryland
How Maryland residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Maryland state documents handled by the Maryland Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Maryland — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Maryland residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Maryland state documents go to the Maryland Secretary of State in Annapolis.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Maryland are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Maryland Secretary of State.
- Maryland state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Maryland 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
- Maryland Secretary of State
- Located in
- Annapolis
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Maryland document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Maryland state police check | Maryland Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Maryland birth, death or marriage certificate | Maryland Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Maryland | Maryland Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Maryland state court record | Maryland Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
City guides: Baltimore
How we serve Maryland
We serve Maryland by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring, Annapolis and every other part of Maryland.
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: Maryland 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 Maryland residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Maryland:
Where are Maryland state documents apostilled?
Maryland-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Maryland — are apostilled by the Maryland Secretary of State, Certification Desk, 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 Maryland authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Maryland Secretary of State, Certification Desk |
|---|---|
| Mailing address | 16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 |
| Phone | (410) 974-5521 |
| Hours | Certification Desk Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–1:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $5 |
| Processing time (published) | Regular mail 7–14 business days; courier about 3–4 days |
Source: Maryland 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 Maryland?
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 Maryland?
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).
Maryland — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Maryland?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Maryland Secretary of State handles only Maryland state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Maryland state documents?
The Maryland Secretary of State in Annapolis.
Which federal courts are in Maryland?
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Do I need to visit an office in Maryland?
No. We work with Maryland 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.