How to Get an Apostille in Maryland for the DAFT Visa Visa
Getting an apostille in Maryland is straightforward. The Secretary of State processes apostilles for birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other state documents.
Processing Time: 5-10 business days Cost: $25 per document Methods: Mail, In-person
What You Need
Documents that need Maryland apostille:
- Birth certificate (if born in Maryland)
- Marriage certificate (if married in Maryland)
- Other Maryland state documents
FBI background check is apostilled by US Department of State, not Maryland.
The Process
Step 1: Order certified copy of your document from Maryland Division of Vital Records ($24, 2-4 weeks).
Step 2: Mail to Secretary of State with $25 payment, or go in person to the office.
Step 3: Wait 5-10 business days for processing.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $24 |
| Apostille | $25 |
| Return shipping | ~$12 |
| Total | $59-$64 |
Timeline
Total time: 3-5 weeks
- Order certificate: 2-4 weeks
- Apostille: 5-10 business days
Start 2 months before you need it.
Expedited Service
Maryland offers expedited apostille processing:
- Fee: $50
- Time: 24 hours
Same-day service may be available in person.
In-Person Option
16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm Same-day service available for $50 per document
Contact
Secretary of State
- Website: https://sos.maryland.gov
- Phone: (410) 974-5521
- Email: dlnotary_sos@maryland.gov
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.