How to Get an Apostille in Iowa for Your DAFT Visa
Getting an apostille in Iowa is straightforward. The Secretary of State processes apostilles for birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other state documents.
Processing Time: 3-5 business days Cost: $10 per document Methods: Mail, In-person
What You Need
Documents that need Iowa apostille:
- Birth certificate (if born in Iowa)
- Marriage certificate (if married in Iowa)
- Other Iowa state documents
FBI background check is apostilled by US Department of State, not Iowa.
The Process
Step 1: Order certified copy of your document from Iowa Department of Public Health ($20, 2-4 weeks).
Step 2: Mail to Secretary of State with $10 payment, or go in person to the office.
Step 3: Wait 3-5 business days for processing.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $20 |
| Apostille | $10 |
| Return shipping | ~$12 |
| Total | $40-$45 |
Timeline
Total time: 3-5 weeks
- Order certificate: 2-4 weeks
- Apostille: 3-5 business days
Start 2 months before you need it.
In-Person Option
Lucas Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm Standard processing: $10 per document
Contact
Secretary of State
- Website: https://sos.iowa.gov
- Phone: (515) 281-5204
For general apostille information, see Apostille Process Explained.
Related Resources:
- Birth Certificate Apostille Guide - Complete birth certificate process
- DAFT Documents Checklist - All required documents
- Complete DAFT Guide - Full application walkthrough
Digital Guide — $99
We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.