State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Ohio
How Ohio residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Ohio state documents handled by the Ohio Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Ohio — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Ohio residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Ohio state documents go to the Ohio Secretary of State in Columbus.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Ohio are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Ohio Secretary of State.
- Ohio state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Ohio 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
- Ohio Secretary of State
- Located in
- Columbus
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Ohio document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation check | Ohio Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Ohio birth, death or marriage certificate | Ohio Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Ohio | Ohio Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Ohio state court record | Ohio Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
City guides: Columbus · Cleveland · Cincinnati
How we serve Ohio
We serve Ohio by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Ohio is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and every other part of Ohio.
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: Ohio 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 Ohio residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Ohio:
Where are Ohio state documents apostilled?
Ohio-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Ohio — are apostilled by the Ohio 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 Ohio authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Ohio Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Phone | 614-728-9200 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $5 |
| Processing time (published) | Mailed requests: 2–3 days |
Source: Ohio 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 Ohio?
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 Ohio?
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).
Ohio — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Ohio?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Ohio Secretary of State handles only Ohio state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Ohio state documents?
The Ohio Secretary of State in Columbus.
Which federal courts are in Ohio?
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Do I need to visit an office in Ohio?
No. We work with Ohio 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.