State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Pennsylvania
How Pennsylvania residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Pennsylvania state documents handled by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Pennsylvania — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Pennsylvania residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Pennsylvania state documents go to the Pennsylvania Department of State in Harrisburg.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Pennsylvania are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
- Pennsylvania state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Pennsylvania Department 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
- Pennsylvania Department of State
- Located in
- Harrisburg
- Federal court districts
- 3
- Our office
- Philadelphia
Federal or Pennsylvania document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Pennsylvania State Police check | Pennsylvania Department of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Pennsylvania birth, death or marriage certificate | Pennsylvania Department of State |
| Document notarized in Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Department of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Pennsylvania state court record | Pennsylvania Department of State |
Federal courts in Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
City guides: Philadelphia · Pittsburgh
How we serve Pennsylvania
We have a processing office in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia. It handles orders by phone and online and isn’t open to the public, so documents come to us by mail — the fastest route to Washington. We cover Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg and every other part of Pennsylvania.
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: Pennsylvania Department 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 Pennsylvania residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Pennsylvania:
Where are Pennsylvania state documents apostilled?
Pennsylvania-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Pennsylvania — are apostilled by the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Notaries, Commissions and Legislation, 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 Pennsylvania authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Notaries, Commissions and Legislation |
|---|---|
| In person | North Office Building, 401 North Street, Room 201, Harrisburg, PA 17120 |
| Phone | 717-787-5280 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (arrive by 4:00 for same day) |
| State fee per apostille | $15 |
| Processing time (published) | Mail: 5–7 business days; walk-in while you wait |
Source: Pennsylvania Department 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 Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania?
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).
Pennsylvania — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Pennsylvania?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Pennsylvania Department of State handles only Pennsylvania state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Pennsylvania state documents?
The Pennsylvania Department of State in Harrisburg.
Which federal courts are in Pennsylvania?
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Do I need to visit an office in Pennsylvania?
No. We work with Pennsylvania 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.