State guide
Federal Apostille Services in South Carolina
How South Carolina residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from South Carolina state documents handled by the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in South Carolina — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from South Carolina residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. South Carolina state documents go to the South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from South Carolina are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the South Carolina Secretary of State.
- South Carolina state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the South Carolina 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 Carolina Secretary of State
- Located in
- Columbia
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or South Carolina document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| South Carolina state police check | South Carolina Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| South Carolina birth, death or marriage certificate | South Carolina Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in South Carolina | South Carolina Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| South Carolina state court record | South Carolina Secretary of State |
Federal courts in South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
City guides: Charleston
How we serve South Carolina
We serve South Carolina by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to South Carolina is Charlotte. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach and every other part of South Carolina.
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 Carolina 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 Carolina residents
Pick your document for the exact route from South Carolina:
Where are South Carolina state documents apostilled?
South Carolina-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in South Carolina — are apostilled by the South Carolina Secretary of State, Authentications, 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 Carolina authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | South Carolina Secretary of State, Authentications |
|---|---|
| In person | 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201 Hand delivery accepted |
| Mailing address | Attn: Authentications, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201 |
| Hours | 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $5 |
Source: South Carolina 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 Carolina?
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 Carolina?
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 Carolina — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in South Carolina?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The South Carolina Secretary of State handles only South Carolina state documents.
Who issues apostilles for South Carolina state documents?
The South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia.
Which federal courts are in South Carolina?
U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Do I need to visit an office in South Carolina?
No. We work with South Carolina 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.