State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Missouri
How Missouri residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Missouri state documents handled by the Missouri Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Missouri — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Missouri residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Missouri state documents go to the Missouri Secretary of State in Jefferson City.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Missouri are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Missouri Secretary of State.
- Missouri state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Missouri 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
- Missouri Secretary of State
- Located in
- Jefferson City
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Missouri document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Missouri state police check | Missouri Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Missouri birth, death or marriage certificate | Missouri Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Missouri | Missouri Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Missouri state court record | Missouri Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Missouri
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
City guides: Kansas City · St. Louis
How we serve Missouri
We serve Missouri by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Missouri is Memphis. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia and every other part of Missouri.
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: Missouri 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 Missouri residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Missouri:
Where are Missouri state documents apostilled?
Missouri-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Missouri — are apostilled by the Missouri Secretary of State, 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 Missouri authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Missouri Secretary of State, Commissions |
|---|---|
| Mailing address | 600 West Main, Room 322, Jefferson City, MO 65101 |
| Phone | (573) 751-2783 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $10 |
Source: Missouri 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 Missouri?
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 Missouri?
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).
Missouri — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Missouri?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Missouri Secretary of State handles only Missouri state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Missouri state documents?
The Missouri Secretary of State in Jefferson City.
Which federal courts are in Missouri?
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
Do I need to visit an office in Missouri?
No. We work with Missouri 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.