South Carolina
U.S. Passport Copy Apostille in South Carolina
How South Carolina residents get their U.S. Passport Copy authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the South Carolina Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
If your U.S. Passport Copy was notarized in South Carolina, its apostille comes from the South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia — not from Washington.
- Authenticated by
- South Carolina Secretary of State
- South Carolina apostille office
- South Carolina Secretary of State, Columbia
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (by mail)
- Price
- Quoted
Notarized in South Carolina: the exact route
A notarized document like this is authenticated through the notary, not the federal government. If it was notarized in South Carolina, the apostille is issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia.
- Hague Convention destination: the South Carolina apostille is the final step.
- Non-Hague destination: the South Carolina-authenticated document then goes to the U.S. Department of State and on to the destination’s embassy.
We don’t submit to the South Carolina Secretary of State directly. Once your document has its South Carolina authentication, we handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for non-Hague destinations ($399).
Get the notarial wording right before signing — requirements vary by destination, and a mistake means redoing the whole chain.
About the U.S. Passport Copy
How to apostille a certified copy of a U.S.
What the South Carolina Secretary of State can do
The South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia issues apostilles for documents signed by South Carolina officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from South Carolina registrars, South Carolina state-court records, and documents notarized by South Carolina notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from South Carolina
We serve South Carolina by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications. There’s no need to visit an office in person.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | State apostille | Varies by state |
| Non-Hague country | State authentication, then federal + embassy | 15–17 business days after the state step |
Serving Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach and everywhere else in South Carolina.
U.S. Passport Copy in South Carolina — FAQ
Can the South Carolina Secretary of State apostille my U.S. Passport Copy?
Yes, if it was notarized in South Carolina — a notarized U.S. Passport Copy is apostilled by the state where it was notarized.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from South Carolina?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most South Carolina clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from South Carolina?
It depends on the state step first; for non-Hague destinations, our federal and embassy steps take 15–17 business days after that.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on where the document was notarized and the destination; we confirm it before any payment.
Related: U.S. Passport Copy — full guide · All documents in South Carolina · Federal vs. state apostille
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.