State guide
Federal Apostille Services in North Dakota
How North Dakota residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from North Dakota state documents handled by the North Dakota Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in North Dakota — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from North Dakota residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. North Dakota state documents go to the North Dakota Secretary of State in Bismarck.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from North Dakota are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the North Dakota Secretary of State.
- North Dakota state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the North Dakota 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
- North Dakota Secretary of State
- Located in
- Bismarck
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or North Dakota document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| North Dakota state police check | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| North Dakota birth, death or marriage certificate | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in North Dakota | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| North Dakota state court record | North Dakota Secretary of State |
Federal courts in North Dakota
- U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
How we serve North Dakota
We serve North Dakota by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to North Dakota is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks and every other part of North Dakota.
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: North Dakota 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 North Dakota residents
Pick your document for the exact route from North Dakota:
Where are North Dakota state documents apostilled?
North Dakota-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in North Dakota — are apostilled by the North Dakota Secretary of State, 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 North Dakota authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | North Dakota Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| In person | 600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 108, Bismarck, ND 58505 |
| Mailing address | 600 East Boulevard Ave, Dept 108, Bismarck, ND 58505-0500 |
| Phone | 701-328-2900 |
| State fee per apostille | $10 (+$5 record search) |
| Processing time (published) | Usually within 3 business days |
Source: North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
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 North Dakota?
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).
North Dakota — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in North Dakota?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The North Dakota Secretary of State handles only North Dakota state documents.
Who issues apostilles for North Dakota state documents?
The North Dakota Secretary of State in Bismarck.
Which federal courts are in North Dakota?
U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.
Do I need to visit an office in North Dakota?
No. We work with North Dakota 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.