State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Minnesota
How Minnesota residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Minnesota state documents handled by the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Minnesota — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Minnesota residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Minnesota state documents go to the Minnesota Secretary of State in St. Paul.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Minnesota are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Minnesota Secretary of State.
- Minnesota state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Minnesota 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
- Minnesota Secretary of State
- Located in
- St. Paul
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Minnesota document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Minnesota state police check | Minnesota Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Minnesota birth, death or marriage certificate | Minnesota Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Minnesota | Minnesota Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Minnesota state court record | Minnesota Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Minnesota
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
City guides: Minneapolis
How we serve Minnesota
We serve Minnesota by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Minnesota is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth and every other part of Minnesota.
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: Minnesota 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 Minnesota residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Minnesota:
Where are Minnesota state documents apostilled?
Minnesota-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Minnesota — are apostilled by the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services, 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 Minnesota authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services |
|---|---|
| In person | 332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201, Saint Paul, MN 55101 By appointment only; no walk-ins |
| Mailing address | 332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201, Saint Paul, MN 55101 |
| Phone | 651-296-2803 |
| Hours | Appointments 8:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $5 |
| Processing time (published) | Processed in order received |
Source: Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
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 Minnesota?
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).
Minnesota — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Minnesota?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Minnesota Secretary of State handles only Minnesota state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Minnesota state documents?
The Minnesota Secretary of State in St. Paul.
Which federal courts are in Minnesota?
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
Do I need to visit an office in Minnesota?
No. We work with Minnesota 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.