How to Get an Apostille in Kansas
The process, the fees, the realistic timeline, and the mistakes that cost people money.
If you need to use a Kansas-issued document in another country — a birth certificate for a Mexican dual-citizenship application, a diploma for a teaching job in South Korea, a power of attorney for property in Italy — you’ll need an apostille from the Kansas Secretary of State. Here’s how.
Confirm the Destination Country Accepts Apostilles
Apostilles only work for countries in the 1961 Hague Convention. Mexico, Germany, the UK, Italy, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, India, and most of the EU are members. If your country is China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Pakistan, or most of sub-Saharan Africa, you need authentication + embassy legalization instead. See What Is an Apostille? for the full breakdown.
Get a Certifiable Version of Your Document
Not every piece of paper can be apostilled. You need an “official” version:
If you aren’t sure what counts as certifiable, ask before you order — it saves money.
Submit to the Kansas Secretary of State
The Kansas Secretary of State, in Topeka, issues the apostille. You can submit by mail or in person. The current state fee is $10 per document (effective March 2, 2026; previously $7.50).
Wait for Processing
Kansas is one of the faster states. Routine processing typically takes a few business days once the document is in their hands. Mail-in and mail-out add days on each end.
Receive and Use the Apostilled Document
You’ll get back the original document with a one-page apostille certificate attached. Don’t separate them. Submit the whole thing to the foreign authority that requested it.
Do NOT Notarize Federal Documents Before Apostille
FBI background checks and other federal documents should not be notarized before being submitted for apostille. Notarizing first can invalidate the submission and force you to start over. If a notary already stamped your FBI report, call us at 316-265-9930 before sending anything to D.C.
Common Mistakes That Cost People Money
Free Document Review — Before You Pay
Send us photos or scans. We confirm everything meets requirements and quote total cost (government fees disclosed separately) before you commit a dollar.
See also: What Is an Apostille? · Full apostille service page · Birth certificate apostille
Contact APB Notary
📍 1901 E. 21st Street North, Wichita, KS 67214