How to Get an Apostille in the US in 2026 | State Guide

What Is an Apostille and Do You Actually Need One?

An apostille is a government-issued certificate that authenticates a US document so another country will legally recognize it — essentially an international stamp of approval, established under the 1961 Hague Convention.

Around 125 countries accept apostilles in place of full embassy legalization — most of Europe, Mexico, South Korea, and India among them. The most commonly apostilled documents: birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, FBI background checks, power of attorney, and corporate filings. If a foreign government or employer is asking you to "authenticate" a document, an apostille is almost certainly what they mean.

How to Get an Apostille: The Step-by-Step Process

Federal documents are different. FBI background checks, FDA export certificates, and other federally issued documents go through the US Department of State's Office of Authentications in Washington, DC — not any state office. Standard mail processing runs approximately 10–14 business days; allow more during peak periods.

State-by-State Apostille Offices and Fees (2026)

Fees and timelines change. Always verify on your state's official .gov website before submitting.

Three Apostille Mistakes That Add Weeks to Your Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an apostille in the US in 2026?

Standard mail processing runs 5–15 business days depending on the state. Expedited in-person or rush mail services typically deliver in 1–3 business days for an additional fee.

Can I get an apostille for a federal document like an FBI background check?

Yes — submit to the US Department of State's Office of Authentications in DC, not a state office. Standard processing is approximately 10–14 business days by mail; see the international document authentication guide for expedited options.

Do I need an apostille or embassy legalization?

If your destination country signed the Hague Convention, an apostille is sufficient. If not — Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE are common examples — you'll need full embassy legalization instead.

How much does an apostille cost — and is it worth using a service?

State fees are cheap: $5–$25 per document. The real cost comes if you use a professional apostille service, which typically charges $150–$300 per document including handling, shipping, and follow-up. DIY is fine if your timeline is flexible and the process is straightforward. A service makes sense when you're dealing with multiple documents, a tight deadline, or a federal document that requires routing through DC — the time savings alone usually justify it.

Conclusion

The apostille process is mechanical once you understand the routing rules: match document to issuing state, notarize if required, submit with the correct fee. Most rejections come from skipping one of those steps, not from the process being genuinely complicated. One thing most guides don't flag: some destination countries require apostilles to be issued within the last six months — so if you apostilled a document last year and circumstances changed, it may not be accepted. Check your destination country's specific requirements before submitting anything. When in doubt, the issuing state's Secretary of State website is always the authoritative source.