How to Get an Apostille in South Dakota

Educational information, not legal advice. Fees, addresses and processing times reflect the South Dakota Secretary of State and can change. Confirm current details on the official sdsos.gov page before you mail anything.

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South Dakota apostille cost and time calculator

Enter how many documents you have and whether you need the expedite; the tool estimates the total state charge and the usual window.

How much does a South Dakota apostille cost?

A South Dakota apostille costs $25 per document, which places South Dakota among the most expensive states, in the same tier as Oklahoma. If you need faster handling, the office offers an expedite service for an extra $50 per request on top of the per-document fee. Payment is flexible for a government office: cash, all major credit cards, checks and money orders are accepted, though any check or card must be drawn on a U.S. bank, and checks or money orders are payable to the Secretary of State. As always, these are the state charges only, and a private service adds its own handling fee on top. Fees shift periodically, so check the current amount before you file.

Who issues apostilles in South Dakota?

Apostilles in South Dakota are issued by the Secretary of State, through the Apostille Office on the second floor of the Capitol Building in Pierre. The office authenticates the signature and seal of a South Dakota notary or public official, issuing an apostille for Hague Convention countries and a certification for the rest. It handles South Dakota documents only, so a document from another state goes to that state. Every document must arrive with complete certification or notarization already in place, since the office authenticates that existing signature rather than notarizing anything itself; a private document such as a power of attorney therefore needs a South Dakota notary first.

How long does a South Dakota apostille take?

A South Dakota apostille is usually completed within one to two business days, as documents are worked in the order received, which makes the state fast despite its higher fee. The office runs a drop-off and pick-up model, open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and it will call you when your documents are ready to collect. If you cannot pick them up, the office mails them back to you instead. Add mail transit if you are sending from out of state, and consider the $50 expedite only when a deadline is genuinely tight, since standard turnaround is already quick.

Can South Dakota apostille an FBI background check?

No, South Dakota cannot apostille an FBI background check, because it is a federal document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Sending a federal report to Pierre means it comes back unprocessed. The South Dakota Secretary of State authenticates documents issued or notarized in South Dakota, such as a South Dakota birth certificate from the Department of Health or a power of attorney notarized by a South Dakota notary. Out-of-state paperwork and federal records are processed by their own offices.

By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: South Dakota Secretary of State, Apostilles & Authentications (sdsos.gov). Verify the current cost and address directly with the office before filing.