State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Montana
How Montana residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Montana state documents handled by the Montana Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Montana — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Montana residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Montana state documents go to the Montana Secretary of State in Helena.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Montana are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Montana Secretary of State.
- Montana state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Montana 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
- Montana Secretary of State
- Located in
- Helena
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Montana document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Montana state police check | Montana Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Montana birth, death or marriage certificate | Montana Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Montana | Montana Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Montana state court record | Montana Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Montana
- U.S. District Court for the District of Montana
How we serve Montana
We serve Montana by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Montana is Denver. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Helena and every other part of Montana.
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: Montana 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 Montana residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Montana:
Where are Montana state documents apostilled?
Montana-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Montana — are apostilled by the Montana Secretary of State, Notary and Certifications Division, 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 Montana authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Montana Secretary of State, Notary and Certifications Division |
|---|---|
| In person | State Capitol, Room 260, 1301 6th Avenue, Helena, MT 59620 Same-day walk-in by advance appointment only |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT 59620-2801 |
| Phone | 406-444-1877 |
| State fee per apostille | $10 |
| Processing time (published) | 3–5 business days from receipt |
Source: Montana 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 Montana?
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 Montana?
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).
Montana — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Montana?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Montana Secretary of State handles only Montana state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Montana state documents?
The Montana Secretary of State in Helena.
Which federal courts are in Montana?
U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.
Do I need to visit an office in Montana?
No. We work with Montana 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.