Documents issued or notarized in South Dakota are apostilled by the Apostille Office, Office of the Secretary of State (South Dakota Secretary of State). The office authenticates the signatures of South Dakota public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and South Dakota-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues both apostilles and authentications; the request form asks for the destination country to determine which. 'USA' is not a valid destination.
Where to file
| South Dakota Secretary of State, Attn: Apostille Office, 500 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501 | |
| In person | 500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 112 (First Floor, Capitol Building), Pierre, SD 57501 Drop-off/pick-up Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-4:00 PM; drop-offs completed in 1-2 business days. While-you-wait service only by pre-arranged expedited appointment (email/phone), max 10 documents, limited daily slots; no expedited walk-ins. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://sdsos.gov/general-services/apostilles-authentications.aspx |
How to get a South Dakota apostille
- Confirm the document is a South Dakota public document
The Apostille Office, Office of the Secretary of State authenticates signatures of South Dakota officials and South Dakota-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 South Dakota Secretary of State, Attn: Apostille Office, 500 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501; in person at 500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 112 (First Floor, Capitol Building), Pierre, SD 57501 (Drop-off/pick-up Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-4:00 PM; drop-offs completed in 1-2 business days. While-you-wait service only by pre-arranged expedited appointment (email/phone), max 10 documents, limited daily slots; no expedited walk-ins.). The fee is $25 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Mailed requests processed within 2 business days of receipt; drop-offs 1-2 business days. Expedited: By-appointment expedited service (+$50), processed while you wait when possible, limit 10 documents. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $25 per document. Expedited appointment adds $50 per request. Cash, check or money order payable to SD Secretary of State (US bank), or MasterCard/Visa/Discover with signed card authorization on the form.
Processing time: Mailed requests processed within 2 business days of receipt; drop-offs 1-2 business days
Expedited: By-appointment expedited service (+$50), processed while you wait when possible, limit 10 documents
Documents South Dakota will apostille
- SD birth, marriage and death certificates
- Divorce decrees and court judgments with court seal
- Business documents filed with the Secretary of State
- SD-notarized affidavits, agreements, powers of attorney
- Notarized true copies of passports, diplomas, transcripts
- Adoption home studies and income verifications (notarized)
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Documents issued by other states or the federal government
- Emailed or faxed documents
- Plain photocopies that are not notary-certified true copies
- Notary-certified copies of birth, marriage, death, divorce or court records
- Shipments to or from the office via DHL
Notarized documents
Notarization must be by a South Dakota notary public with original seal/signature. Office provides a fillable 'Sample Certified Copy' template for documents lacking a notarial block. Notaries may not certify copies of vital records, divorce decrees or court documents.
South Dakota does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Birth/marriage/death certificates and divorce decrees must bear the raised and/or stamped seal of the court or Department of Health Vital Records; certified copies available from any county Register of Deeds or SD Vital Records. No stated age limit.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
South Dakota-specific points
- Office refuses DHL shipments in either direction; use USPS, FedEx or UPS
- Expedited while-you-wait service is appointment-only with a hard 10-document cap and $50 surcharge
- Credit card payment by mail requires the signed card authorization block on the request form (MasterCard/Visa/Discover only)
- Certified vital records can be obtained from any county Register of Deeds, not just the state Vital Records office
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
South Dakota does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
The Apostille Office, Office of the Secretary of State charges $25 per document. Expedited appointment adds $50 per request. Cash, check or money order payable to SD Secretary of State (US bank), or MasterCard/Visa/Discover with signed card authorization on the form.
How long does a South Dakota apostille take?
Mailed requests processed within 2 business days of receipt; drop-offs 1-2 business days Expedited option: By-appointment expedited service (+$50), processed while you wait when possible, limit 10 documents.
Can I get an apostille in person in South Dakota?
Yes. Drop-off/pick-up Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-4:00 PM; drop-offs completed in 1-2 business days. While-you-wait service only by pre-arranged expedited appointment (email/phone), max 10 documents, limited daily slots; no expedited walk-ins.
Does South Dakota require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Apostille Office, Office of the Secretary of State provided the notary is commissioned in South Dakota and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a South Dakota resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by South Dakota. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
