What time does walk-in apostille service end in Annapolis?

Walk-in authentication and apostille service at the Maryland Secretary of State's office in Annapolis is generally only available in the morning, with same-day walk-in service ending around 1:00 PM. Arriving after that window typically means your documents can't be processed that day.

Is there a limit on how many documents I can bring for a walk-in apostille?

Yes. The Maryland Secretary of State's office limits walk-in customers to 15 documents per day. If you have more than 15 documents, you'll need to split your visit across multiple days or mail in the excess.

Where is the Maryland Secretary of State's apostille office?

The office is located at 16 Francis Street, Wineland Building, Annapolis, MD 21401 — in the heart of downtown Annapolis, near Church Circle.

Annapolis Apostille Checklist: Walk-In Hours, Document Limits and What to Bring

Know Before
You Go

The Walk-In Window Is Shorter Than You Think

The Maryland Secretary of State's office in downtown Annapolis handles all state apostilles and authentications — but the walk-in window is tight, the document limit is strict, and downtown parking eats into whatever time you have left. Here's exactly what to expect before you make the trip.

Rolled international law document with an official seal, representing apostille certification

The Three Things That Catch People Off Guard

1. The 1:00 PM Walk-In Cutoff

Same-day walk-in service is only available in the morning hours — arrive after roughly 1:00 PM and your documents won't be processed that day, no matter how close you are to closing. Between finding downtown parking, walking to the Wineland Building on Francis Street, and waiting in line, a late-morning arrival can easily miss the cutoff.

2. The 15-Document Limit

Walk-in customers are capped at 15 documents per day. Handling an estate, a batch of business records, or multiple family members' paperwork at once? You may need to split your visit across more than one day — or mail in whatever doesn't fit under the cap, which adds processing time.

3. Notarization Has to Happen First

Most documents need to be properly notarized — and in some cases certified by the Clerk of the Circuit Court — before the Secretary of State's office will accept them. Show up without that step already done, and the trip downtown was for nothing.

What to Bring

Original or certified document(s), properly notarized
Payment — check or money order made out to "Secretary of State" (credit/debit accepted in person)
A note stating which country the document will be used in
Your contact information, in case of questions

Or Skip the Trip Entirely

Between the tight walk-in window, the document cap, and downtown Annapolis parking, a personal visit can easily eat half a day. We hand-carry your documents to the Secretary of State's office for you — notarization, courthouse certification if needed, and walk-in delivery, handled start to finish.

Have Us Handle It

Details above reflect the Maryland Secretary of State's published walk-in policies as of this writing. Hours and requirements can change — call the office directly at 410-974-5521 to confirm before your visit, or let us confirm on your behalf.