State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Wisconsin
How Wisconsin residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Wisconsin state documents handled by the Wisconsin Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Wisconsin — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Wisconsin residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Wisconsin state documents go to the Wisconsin Secretary of State in Madison.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Wisconsin are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
- Wisconsin state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. 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
- Wisconsin Secretary of State
- Located in
- Madison
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Wisconsin document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Wisconsin state police check | Wisconsin Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Wisconsin birth, death or marriage certificate | Wisconsin Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Wisconsin state court record | Wisconsin Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
City guides: Milwaukee
How we serve Wisconsin
We serve Wisconsin by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Wisconsin is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and every other part of Wisconsin.
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: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for Wisconsin residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Wisconsin:
Where are Wisconsin state documents apostilled?
Wisconsin-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Wisconsin — are apostilled by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, 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 Wisconsin authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions |
|---|---|
| In person | 4822 Madison Yards Way, North Tower, Madison, WI 53705 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 7838, Madison, WI 53707-7838 |
| Phone | (608) 266-8915 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 7:45 AM–4:30 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $10 |
| Processing time (published) | Standard 3–7 business days; expedited 1–2 business days |
Source: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions — 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 Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin?
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).
Wisconsin — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Wisconsin?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Wisconsin Secretary of State handles only Wisconsin state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Wisconsin state documents?
The Wisconsin Secretary of State in Madison.
Which federal courts are in Wisconsin?
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Do I need to visit an office in Wisconsin?
No. We work with Wisconsin 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.