Documents issued or notarized in Alabama are apostilled by the Authentication Division, Office of the Secretary of State (Alabama Secretary of State). The office authenticates the signatures of Alabama public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Alabama-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues Apostilles (Hague) and Certifications (non-Hague); the site stresses that Hague Conference members and Hague Convention parties are different lists.
Where to file
| Office of the Secretary of State, Authentication Division, P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103-5616 | |
| In person | 11 South Union Street, Suite 224, Montgomery, AL 36130 Walk-in service 8:00-5:00 Mon-Fri; no appointment stated |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.sos.alabama.gov/administrative-services/authentications |
How to get a Alabama apostille
- Confirm the document is a Alabama public document
The Authentication Division, Office of the Secretary of State authenticates signatures of Alabama officials and Alabama-commissioned notaries only. Documents from other states go to their own state; federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Prepare the request
Complete the request form (official form), naming the destination country so the office issues an apostille (Hague country) or an authentication certificate (non-Hague country).
- Submit the document, fee and return envelope
Submit by mail to Office of the Secretary of State, Authentication Division, P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103-5616; in person at 11 South Union Street, Suite 224, Montgomery, AL 36130 (Walk-in service 8:00-5:00 Mon-Fri; no appointment stated). The fee is $5 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: not published; check the official site. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $5 per document. Check or money order payable to Secretary of State; cash; Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover (card details on the submittal form)
Processing time: Not published by the office — check the official page for the current processing date.
Documents Alabama will apostille
- Birth and death certificates signed by the State Registrar
- Marriage certificates and statements of marital status
- Articles of incorporation, bylaws, certificates of merger
- Powers of attorney
- Diplomas and transcripts (notarized by an Alabama notary)
- Deeds
- ABI (state) background checks
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Federal documents (go to U.S. Department of State)
- School documents signed only by a school official/registrar without Alabama notarization
- Foreign-language documents without a notarized English translation
Notarized documents
Document must bear original signature and embossed or ink-stamped seal of a currently commissioned Alabama notary, probate judge, or State Registrar. Foreign-language documents need a notarized English translation.
Alabama does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Birth and death certificates must bear the signature of the current Alabama State Registrar.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Alabama-specific points
- School transcripts/diplomas must be notarized by an Alabama notary before an apostille can be affixed; a registrar's signature and seal alone is rejected.
- Non-Hague Certifications require a second layer: probate judge authentication of the notary commission before the state will certify.
- Office will mail documents to a third party only if a prepaid carrier envelope is included; otherwise returned to sender by USPS.
- Form asks you to allow five business days for mail time; no processing turnaround is published.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Alabama does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Alabama resident is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — see the federal section. For destinations outside the Hague Convention, the Alabama authentication certificate must then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and legalized at the destination's embassy (how the chain works).
Frequently asked questions
How much does an apostille cost in Alabama?
The Authentication Division, Office of the Secretary of State charges $5 per document. Check or money order payable to Secretary of State; cash; Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover (card details on the submittal form)
How long does a Alabama apostille take?
The office does not publish a standard turnaround; contact the office or check the official site for current processing dates.
Can I get an apostille in person in Alabama?
Yes. Walk-in service 8:00-5:00 Mon-Fri; no appointment stated
Does Alabama require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Authentication Division, Office of the Secretary of State provided the notary is commissioned in Alabama and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Alabama resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Alabama. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
