Complete guide • March 2026
Apostille by state.
All 50 + DC.
Every state has different processes, fees and timeframes. This guide covers everything — including fastest states, cheapest, and mistakes to avoid.
Source: Secretary of State websites per state • Verified March 2026
What it is and why you need one
An apostille authenticates a public document for use in another country (Hague Convention 1961). When you submit a US document to the Italian consulate, the apostille confirms it’s authentic. Without it, the consulate rejects it.
Order: apostille FIRST, translation AFTER
The apostille goes on the original document. The translation certifies document + apostille together. If you do it backwards, you redo everything.
When you need one
Citizenship by descent
Every US certificate in the chain
Birth registration
Child’s US birth certificate
Marriage for Italy
US marriage certificate
Divorce
Court decree
Criminal record (FBI)
FBI Identity History Summary — federal, not state
Academic credentials
Diploma, transcript
All 50 states + DC
Click state for official site.
| State | Office | Fee | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Secretary of State | $10 | 5-10 days |
| Alaska | Lt. Governor | $25 | 5-10 days |
| Arizona | Secretary of State | $3 | 2-5 days |
| Arkansas | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| California E-apostille for some docs | Secretary of State | $26 | 5-10 days |
| Colorado | Secretary of State | $20 | 3-5 days |
| Connecticut | Secretary of State | $20 | 5-10 days |
| Delaware | Secretary of State | $10 | Same day |
| DC | Office of the Secretary | $20 | 5 days |
| Florida | Secretary of State | $10 | 5-10 days |
| Georgia County-level for some | Superior Court Clerk | $3 | Varies |
| Hawaii | Lt. Governor | $25 | 5-10 days |
| Idaho | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| Illinois | Secretary of State | $2 | 1-3 days |
| Indiana | Secretary of State | $10 | 5-10 days |
| Iowa | Secretary of State | $10 | 5-7 days |
| Kansas | Secretary of State | $7.50 | 3-5 days |
| Kentucky | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| Louisiana | Secretary of State | $25 | 5-10 days |
| Maine | Secretary of State | $25 | 5-10 days |
| Maryland | Secretary of State | $25 | 5-10 days |
| Massachusetts | Secretary of the Commonwealth | $6 | Same day |
| Michigan | Secretary of State | $10 | 5-10 days |
| Minnesota | Secretary of State | $5 | 1-3 days |
| Mississippi | Secretary of State | $25 | 5-10 days |
| Missouri | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| Montana | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| Nebraska | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| Nevada | Secretary of State | $20 | 3-5 days |
| New Hampshire | Secretary of State | $10 | 5 days |
| New Jersey Via Treasury, not SOS | Treasury | $25 | 5-10 days |
| New Mexico | Secretary of State | $10 | 5-10 days |
| New York County clerks also issue | SOS / County Clerk | $10 | 5-10 days |
| North Carolina | Secretary of State | $10 | 5-10 days |
| North Dakota | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| Ohio | Secretary of State | $5 | 3-5 days |
| Oklahoma | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| Oregon | Secretary of State | $10 | 5-10 days |
| Pennsylvania | Secretary of the Commonwealth | $15 | 5-10 days |
| Rhode Island | Secretary of State | $20 | 5-10 days |
| South Carolina | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| South Dakota | Secretary of State | $10 | 3-5 days |
| Tennessee | Secretary of State | $2 | 1-3 days |
| Texas | Secretary of State | $15 | 5-10 days |
| Utah | Lt. Governor | $20 | 3-5 days |
| Vermont | Secretary of State | $20 | 5-10 days |
| Virginia | Secretary of the Commonwealth | $8 | 3-5 days |
| Washington | Secretary of State | $15 | 5-10 days |
| West Virginia | Secretary of State | $10 | 5 days |
| Wisconsin | Secretary of State | $12 | 3-5 days |
| Wyoming | Secretary of State | $5 | 3-5 days |
Federal documents (FBI, USCIS)
Federal documents do NOT go to your state’s Secretary of State. They need an apostille from the US Department of State in Washington DC.
Fee: $20
Time (mail): 4-6 weeks
In person at DC: Same day, by appointment
Strategies
In a rush: go in person
Delaware, Massachusetts, Illinois, Tennessee offer fast or same-day. If near the state capital, the trip saves weeks.
Multiple docs from multiple states
For citizenship you may need certificates from 3-4 states. Each apostille from the issuing state. Plan in parallel.
Apostille + translation = package
After the apostille, you need a certified translation. We translate document + apostille together ($35/page).
Don’t notarise first
Public documents (birth, marriage) don’t need notarisation before apostille. The SOS apostilles directly.
Common mistakes
Translating before apostilling
You’ll need to redo the translation after the apostille.
Apostilling in the wrong state
Apostille comes from the state that issued the document.
FBI check to Secretary of State
Federal docs = US Department of State in DC.
Not checking document freshness
Apostille doesn’t expire, but consulate may want a recent doc (< 6 months).
Paying $100+ for an “apostille service”
Apostilles cost $2-26. Services do the same thing you can do by mail.
Frequently asked questions
Apostille before or after translation?+
BEFORE. The apostille goes on the original. The translation then certifies document + apostille together.
Federal document (FBI). Where?+
US Department of State in DC. $20. 4-6 weeks by mail, same day in person by appointment.
Certificate from a different state than where I live.+
Apostille comes from the state that ISSUED the document. Born in Ohio, live in Texas = apostille from Ohio.
Can I go in person?+
Many states offer walk-in with faster turnaround (often same day). If near the state capital, worth the trip.
How long does an apostille last?+
The apostille doesn’t expire. But the consulate may require a recent document (less than 6 months). Check with consulate.
Expedited service?+
Many states offer expedited for $5-25 extra. Useful with an upcoming consulate appointment.
After the apostille
Next step is a certified Italian translation. The consulate requires document + apostille translated and certified together.
Sources
- Secretary of State websites per state — verified March 2026
- US Department of State, Office of Authentications \u2014 travel.state.gov
- Hague Convention 1961
Fees and times subject to change. Last updated: March 2026.