State guide
Federal Apostille Services in South Dakota
How South Dakota residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from South Dakota state documents handled by the South Dakota Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in South Dakota — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from South Dakota residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. South Dakota state documents go to the South Dakota Secretary of State in Pierre.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from South Dakota are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the South Dakota Secretary of State.
- South Dakota state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the South 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
- South Dakota Secretary of State
- Located in
- Pierre
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or South Dakota document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| South Dakota state police check | South Dakota Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| South Dakota birth, death or marriage certificate | South Dakota Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in South Dakota | South Dakota Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| South Dakota state court record | South Dakota Secretary of State |
Federal courts in South Dakota
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota
How we serve South Dakota
We serve South Dakota by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to South Dakota is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Pierre and every other part of South 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: South 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 South Dakota residents
Pick your document for the exact route from South Dakota:
Where are South Dakota state documents apostilled?
South Dakota-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in South Dakota — are apostilled by the South Dakota Secretary of State, Apostille Office, 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 South Dakota authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | South Dakota Secretary of State, Apostille Office |
|---|---|
| In person | 500 East Capitol Ave, Suite 112, Pierre, SD 57501 No walk-ins; in-person drop-off and pick-up |
| Mailing address | Attn: Apostille Office, 500 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501 |
| Phone | (605) 773-5008 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (drop-off/pick-up) |
| State fee per apostille | $25 |
| Processing time (published) | Mail: within 2 business days; drop-off: 1–2 business days |
Source: South 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 South 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 South 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).
South Dakota — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in South Dakota?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The South Dakota Secretary of State handles only South Dakota state documents.
Who issues apostilles for South Dakota state documents?
The South Dakota Secretary of State in Pierre.
Which federal courts are in South Dakota?
U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
Do I need to visit an office in South Dakota?
No. We work with South 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.