
Midwest · KS
The Sunflower State
How to get an apostille in Kansas
In Kansas, apostilles are issued by the Kansas Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Kansas apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Topeka
- Governor (2026)
- Laura Kelly
- State flower
- Sunflower
- State bird
- Western Meadowlark
Apostille signed by Kansas Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications
Step-by-step: an apostille in Kansas
- 01
Confirm the document is Kansas-issued or notarized by a Kansas notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Kansas Secretary of State authenticates the notary's commission, not your signature directly. Vital records and court documents skip this step (they are certified by the issuing office instead).
- 03
For vital records, obtain a certified copy from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (Office of Vital Statistics).
- 04
Complete the apostille/certification request and identify the destination country.
- 05
Submit by mail or in person with the fee and a prepaid return envelope.
- 06
Receive your apostille or certificate of authentication.
Kansas apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Kansas Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications |
|---|---|
| State fee | $7.50 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Topeka. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the Kansas Secretary of State, Apostilles/Certifications, in Topeka (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Kansas
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates (certified copies from the state vital-records office)
- Divorce decrees and court orders (certified by the clerk of court)
- Powers of attorney and affidavits (signed before a notary)
- Single-status / no-record affidavits for marriage abroad
- Diplomas, transcripts, and degree certificates
- Corporate documents — articles of incorporation, good-standing certificates, board resolutions
- Commercial and export documents
Federal documents (such as an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by Kansas.
Specimen
What a Kansas apostille looks like
A Kansas apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Kansas Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications as the issuing authority. Below is an illustrative specimen — it is not a valid document and contains no real data.
See specimens for all states →- 1.Country United States of America
- 2.has been signed by [NAME OF SIGNER]
- 3.acting in the capacity of [CAPACITY — e.g. Notary Public]
- 4.bears the seal / stamp of [ISSUING OFFICIAL / SEAL]
- 5.at [CITY / PLACE]
- 6.the [DATE]
- 7.by Kansas Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Kansas apostille FAQ
- How do I get a Kansas birth certificate apostilled?
- Order a certified copy from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics, then submit it to the Secretary of State's apostille office along with the fee and destination country.
- Does Kansas charge per document?
- Yes. Kansas charges a per-document fee for apostilles and certifications. Confirm the current amount on the Secretary of State's page.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Kansas apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Kansas Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
Need it done for you?
Rather not deal with the Kansas paperwork yourself?
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