How to Get an Apostille in South Dakota for the DAFT Visa
Getting an apostille in South Dakota 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 South Dakota apostille:
- Birth certificate (if born in South Dakota)
- Marriage certificate (if married in South Dakota)
- Other South Dakota state documents
FBI background check is apostilled by US Department of State, not South Dakota.
The Process
Step 1: Order certified copy of your document from South Dakota Department of Health ($15, 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 | $15 |
| Apostille | $10 |
| Return shipping | ~$12 |
| Total | $35-$40 |
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
500 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 204, Pierre, SD 57501 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Standard processing: $10 per document
Contact
Secretary of State
- Website: https://sdsos.gov
- Phone: (605) 773-3537
- Email: sdsos@state.sd.us
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.