KANSAS · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Kansas
Kansas apostilles and authentications come from one place: the Kansas Secretary of State's office in Topeka. The current fee is $10 per document (effective March 2, 2026), and the state processes most requests within a few business days of receiving them, plus mail time. Translation HelpDesk handles the certified-translation side - $0.05/word, roughly $15-25 for a standard civil document like a birth or marriage certificate - so your Kansas document and its apostille are accepted abroad the first time. Translate before or after the apostille depending on the direction: apostille first for a Kansas document going overseas, translate before filing for a foreign document you're using inside the U.S.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services Division (Apostilles & Authentications), Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612.
HOW IT WORKS IN KANSAS
Getting an Apostille in Kansas
In Kansas, apostilles and authentications are issued only by the Kansas Secretary of State in Topeka - there is no county-level option. You submit a completed Form DC (Request for Document Certification), the original or a certified copy of the document, and the per-document fee, either by mail or in person at the Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612. The document must already carry a signature the SOS can verify - a Kansas notary's acknowledgment, a Kansas county/court official's certification, or a state vital-records seal - because the apostille authenticates that official's signature, not the content. Kansas will apostille documents written in a foreign language as long as the notarization itself is in English, and you can request FedEx return service by completing section 6 of Form DC.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
For a Kansas document headed to another country, get the apostille FIRST, then have both the document and the apostille certificate translated by a certified translator - many destination countries want the apostille itself rendered into their language. The most common mistake is translating first and then trying to apostille the translation: the Kansas SOS authenticates the underlying notarized or certified record, not a loose translation, so a premature translation just wastes the $10 fee. If instead the translation itself must be apostilled (for example, a translator's sworn affidavit going abroad), the translator's signature has to be notarized by a Kansas notary before the SOS can attach the apostille.
Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) that USCIS accepts, and can advise on whether you need the apostille before or after translation for your specific document and destination.
FEES & TIMING
Cost & Turnaround
Apostille fee: Kansas Secretary of State charges $10 per document for an apostille or authentication (effective March 2, 2026). Optional FedEx return shipping is extra via section 6 of Form DC. Always verify the current fee on the SOS site before mailing, as state fees change.
Typical processing: In person in Topeka: typically same day to a couple of business days. By mail: generally a few business days of processing after the SOS receives it, plus postal transit each way (add more time if you don't include prepaid or FedEx return).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Kansas?
Only the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services Division, in Topeka. Kansas counties and courts do not issue apostilles - they can only certify the underlying record, which the Secretary of State then apostilles. You submit Form DC with the original or certified document by mail or in person at 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612.
Should I translate my document before or after the Kansas apostille?
For a Kansas document going to another country, get the apostille first, then have both the document and the apostille certificate translated. Translating first is the most common mistake - the Kansas SOS authenticates the original notarized or certified record, not your translation. For a foreign document you're using inside the U.S. (for example, at USCIS), you translate it into English before filing; that document is typically apostilled in its country of origin, not in Kansas.
How much does a Kansas apostille cost and how long does it take?
The Kansas Secretary of State charges $10 per document (effective March 2, 2026). In-person requests are handled quickly and mailed requests are generally processed within a few business days of arrival, not counting postal transit each way. Confirm the current fee and any FedEx return charges on Form DC before sending, since state fees can change.
Will Kansas apostille a document that's in Spanish or another language?
Yes - the Kansas SOS will apostille a foreign-language document as long as the notarization on it is in English. That said, if you need a certified English translation for U.S. use, we can prepare it separately. A free 250-word sample lets you see our quality before you commit.
What does Translation HelpDesk charge to translate a document for a Kansas apostille?
Certified translation is $0.05 per word - about $15-25 for a standard one-page civil document such as a birth, marriage, or death certificate - with 24-48 hour turnaround. Every translation is certified for official use and backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com for a same-day quote.