South Dakota Apostille Service
South Dakota apostilles are issued by the South Dakota Secretary of State in Pierre. The state fee is $25 per document. Mail requests are processed within 2 business days of receipt; a $50 expedited appointment offers while-you-wait service.
| Issuing office | South Dakota Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Where to send | 500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 112, Pierre, SD 57501 |
| State fee | $25 per document |
| Mail processing | Within 2 business days of receipt |
| In person | Drop-off, usually 1 to 2 business days; a $50 expedited appointment offers while-you-wait service where possible |
| How to submit | By mail or drop-off, with the Apostille/Authentication Request Form |
| Our service fee | $195 per document, plus the state fee |
Fees checked October 2026 against the South Dakota Secretary of State.
Apostille a digital document issued in South Dakota
How long does an apostille take in South Dakota?
Mail requests: within 2 business days of receipt. In-person requests: drop-off, usually 1 to 2 business days; a $50 expedited appointment offers while-you-wait service where possible.
Allow extra time for shipping in both directions. A missing certification or the wrong type of copy sends a document back and restarts the clock, so we check yours before it is submitted.
An FBI background check is federal, not a South Dakota document. It goes to the U.S. Department of State, where regular processing takes 7 to 8 weeks. We offer an expedited FBI apostille in 10 business days.
How much does a South Dakota apostille cost?
The state fee is $25 per document, charged by the South Dakota Secretary of State. Our service fee is $195 per document, which covers document review, submission to the state and return of your originals. Processing time is 10 business days, depending on state delays. Shipping and translation are quoted separately.
How to get an apostille in South Dakota: step by step
- Get a vital record with the raised or stamped seal of the Register of Deeds or state health department, or a document notarized by a South Dakota notary.
- Complete the Apostille/Authentication Request Form.
- Mail or drop it off at 500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 112, Pierre, SD 57501, weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What to watch for with South Dakota documents
- There is no walk-in counter service; drop-offs take one to two business days.
How we help with your South Dakota apostille
You can file a South Dakota apostille yourself with the South Dakota Secretary of State. Many people use us because a rejected document costs more time than the fee.
- We check your document first. Send a photo or scan. We confirm it is the right version, signed by the right official, before anything is submitted.
- We fix what is missing. If your document needs notarizing, a new certified copy, or a county or court certification, we arrange it.
- We submit and collect. We send your documents to the South Dakota Secretary of State in Pierre and return the apostilled originals by tracked courier, in the US or abroad.
- We handle the federal side too. FBI background checks and other federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State, not the state. We do both.
- You can talk to a person. Call (971) 514-3743 or request a video consultation.
Our fee: $195 per document, plus the South Dakota state fee ($25 per document). 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.
You can also mail your documents to us from anywhere, or visit our offices in Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Vancouver, Herndon and Houston.
Do you need a translation?
An apostille confirms the signature on your document. It does not translate it. If the country you are sending it to does not use English, the receiving office will usually ask for a certified translation as well.
We provide certified translation, so your South Dakota document can be apostilled and translated in one order. Each translation comes with a signed certificate of accuracy.
Order matters. Some countries want the translation done after the apostille so the apostille page is translated too; others have their own translator requirements. Tell us the country and we will confirm the correct order before you pay. Contact us for a translation quote.
Related apostille services
South Dakota apostille FAQ
How much does a South Dakota apostille cost?
The state fee is $25 per document, charged by the South Dakota Secretary of State. Our service fee is $195 per document, plus the state fee.
How long does a South Dakota apostille take?
Mail requests: within 2 business days of receipt. In-person requests: drop-off, usually 1 to 2 business days; a $50 expedited appointment offers while-you-wait service where possible.
Where do I get a South Dakota apostille?
South Dakota apostilles are issued by the South Dakota Secretary of State in Pierre.
Can South Dakota apostille my FBI background check?
No. FBI background checks are federal and are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. We handle that for $195 with regular processing in 7 to 8 weeks, or $390 expedited in 10 business days.
Do I need an apostille or an authentication?
Countries in the Hague Apostille Convention accept an apostille. Other countries need an authentication followed by embassy legalization. Tell us the country and we will confirm which applies.
Can you apostille a South Dakota document if I live outside South Dakota?
Yes. Mail us the document from anywhere in the world and we return it by tracked courier.
Source: South Dakota Secretary of State. Last checked October 2026.