State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Michigan
How Michigan residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Michigan state documents handled by the Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Michigan — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Michigan residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Michigan state documents go to the Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal in Lansing.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Michigan are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal.
- Michigan state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal. 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
- Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal
- Located in
- Lansing
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Michigan document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Michigan State Police check | Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Michigan birth, death or marriage certificate | Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal |
| Document notarized in Michigan | Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Michigan state court record | Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal |
Federal courts in Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
City guides: Detroit · Grand Rapids
How we serve Michigan
We serve Michigan by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Michigan is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing and every other part of Michigan.
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: Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for Michigan residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Michigan:
Where are Michigan state documents apostilled?
Michigan-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Michigan — are apostilled by the Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal, 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 Michigan authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal |
|---|---|
| In person | Richard H. Austin Building, 430 W. Allegan Street, Lansing, MI By appointment only (Mondays or Wednesdays) |
| Mailing address | 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918 |
| Phone | (888) 767-6424 |
| Hours | Appointments 8:30 AM–4:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $1 |
| Processing time (published) | Mail 1–2 weeks |
Source: Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal — 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 Michigan?
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 Michigan?
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).
Michigan — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Michigan?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal handles only Michigan state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Michigan state documents?
The Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal in Lansing.
Which federal courts are in Michigan?
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Do I need to visit an office in Michigan?
No. We work with Michigan 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.