Documents issued or notarized in Kansas are apostilled by the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services (Apostilles and Authentications). The office authenticates the signatures of Kansas public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Kansas-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues apostilles for Hague countries and authentications for non-Hague countries.
Where to file
| Kansas Secretary of State, Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612 | |
| In person | Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612 In-person delivery accepted; office hours 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Same-day service not stated. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.kssos.org/general-services/apostilles-authentications.html |
How to get a Kansas apostille
- Confirm the document is a Kansas public document
The Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services (Apostilles and Authentications) authenticates signatures of Kansas officials and Kansas-commissioned notaries only. Documents from other states go to their own state; federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Prepare the request
Complete the request form (official form), naming the destination country so the office issues an apostille (Hague country) or an authentication certificate (non-Hague country).
- Submit the document, fee and return envelope
Submit by mail to Kansas Secretary of State, Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612; in person at Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612 (In-person delivery accepted; office hours 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Same-day service not stated.). The fee is $10 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: 3-5 business days (per Form DC). Expedited: No expedited processing; FedEx Standard Overnight or 2Day return available to a U.S. address, charged to your card or FedEx account.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $10 per document. $10 per document effective March 2, 2026 (previously $7.50). Check or money order payable to Kansas Secretary of State, or credit card on Form DC. No cash. Card can also cover FedEx return shipping.
Processing time: 3-5 business days (per Form DC)
Expedited: No expedited processing; FedEx Standard Overnight or 2Day return available to a U.S. address, charged to your card or FedEx account.
Documents Kansas will apostille
- Kansas vital records from KDHE Office of Vital Statistics
- Kansas school diplomas (notarized)
- Kansas court judgments (official's signature must be on file)
- Documents notarized by a Kansas notary
- Documents issued by Kansas public authorities
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Court documents whose signing official is not on file with the SOS
- Federal documents
Notarized documents
Documents notarized by a Kansas notary are eligible; foreign-language documents accepted if the notarization is in English. Kansas school diplomas may need Kansas notarization.
Kansas does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Kansas birth, marriage, divorce, and death records must be certified copies from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics (KDHE).
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Kansas-specific points
- Fee rose from $7.50 to $10 on March 2, 2026; older guides still quote $7.50
- Court documents require the court official's printed name on Form DC and that official's signature on file with the SOS
- Office moved to the Docking State Office Building; older sources list Memorial Hall, 120 SW 10th Ave
- Form DC available in English and Spanish
- FedEx return cannot be used for international addresses; supply your own label instead
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Kansas does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Kansas resident is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — see the federal section. For destinations outside the Hague Convention, the Kansas authentication certificate must then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and legalized at the destination's embassy (how the chain works).
Frequently asked questions
How much does an apostille cost in Kansas?
The Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services (Apostilles and Authentications) charges $10 per document. $10 per document effective March 2, 2026 (previously $7.50). Check or money order payable to Kansas Secretary of State, or credit card on Form DC. No cash. Card can also cover FedEx return shipping.
How long does a Kansas apostille take?
3-5 business days (per Form DC) Expedited option: No expedited processing; FedEx Standard Overnight or 2Day return available to a U.S. address, charged to your card or FedEx account..
Can I get an apostille in person in Kansas?
Yes. In-person delivery accepted; office hours 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Same-day service not stated.
Does Kansas require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services (Apostilles and Authentications) provided the notary is commissioned in Kansas and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Kansas resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Kansas. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
