Documents issued or notarized in Alaska are apostilled by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Authentications Department (Alaska Lieutenant Governor). The office authenticates the signatures of Alaska public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Alaska-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues Apostilles for Hague countries and Certificates of Authority for non-Hague countries; also a Certificate of Good Standing for US-only use at the same fee.
Where to file
| Office of the Lt. Governor, Authentications, P.O. Box 110015, Juneau, AK 99811 | |
| In person | 240 Main Street, Room 301, Juneau, AK 99801 (3rd floor of the Capitol building) Schedule an appointment first at (907) 465-4081; Juneau is the only office that processes apostilles |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://ltgov.alaska.gov/services/authentications/ |
How to get a Alaska apostille
- Confirm the document is a Alaska public document
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Authentications Department authenticates signatures of Alaska officials and Alaska-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 Lt. Governor, Authentications, P.O. Box 110015, Juneau, AK 99811; in person at 240 Main Street, Room 301, Juneau, AK 99801 (3rd floor of the Capitol building) (Schedule an appointment first at (907) 465-4081; Juneau is the only office that processes apostilles). The fee is $5 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Typically processed and mailed within 48 hours of receipt; office aims for same day. Expedited: No paid expedite; office recommends USPS Priority Mail Express return mailer (stamps, not metered postage). DHL cannot be used for return.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $5 per document. $5 per certificate; a document with two notaries needs two certificates. Personal check, money order, cashier's check payable to 'State of Alaska', or Visa/Mastercard via Credit Card Payment Form. No cash. Overpayments may be credited to a future order.
Processing time: Typically processed and mailed within 48 hours of receipt; office aims for same day
Expedited: No paid expedite; office recommends USPS Priority Mail Express return mailer (stamps, not metered postage). DHL cannot be used for return.
Documents Alaska will apostille
- Originals with wet signatures notarized by an Alaska notary
- Certified copies from Alaska Vital Records
- Certified court documents and other state documents where the signer's signature is on file
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Photocopies of signatures
- Notarized photocopies of vital records
- Improperly notarized documents
- Orders not for legitimate foreign use
- Signatures of officials no longer employed by the state (may be uncollectible)
Notarized documents
Must be notarized by a commissioned Alaska notary with principal's signature, notarial certificate wording, notary signature, commission expiration date, and a reproducible seal (embossed seals must be shaded). Alaska notaries cannot certify copies directly; only Copy Certification by Document Custodian is possible, and foreign countries may reject it.
Alaska does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Only certified copies issued directly by Alaska Vital Records are accepted; notarized photocopies of vital records are rejected (AS 18.50.320). Court-issued vital record copies from before about 2005 are generally not accepted. Vital Statistics can issue an authenticated copy for an extra $12 (907-465-3392).
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Alaska-specific points
- Certificates are permanently attached with a metal eyelet; the document cannot be separated afterward, so copy it first.
- Fee is per certificate, not per document: two notaries on one document = $10.
- Alaska Airlines Goldstreak is listed as a return-shipping option; UPS is 'best avoided' and DHL cannot be used.
- Attorney General and Clerk of the Appellate Courts have Hague authority but have never assumed the duty; the Lt. Governor is the only practical source.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Alaska does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Alaska 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 Alaska 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 Alaska?
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Authentications Department charges $5 per document. $5 per certificate; a document with two notaries needs two certificates. Personal check, money order, cashier’s check payable to ‘State of Alaska’, or Visa/Mastercard via Credit Card Payment Form. No cash. Overpayments may be credited to a future order.
How long does a Alaska apostille take?
Typically processed and mailed within 48 hours of receipt; office aims for same day Expedited option: No paid expedite; office recommends USPS Priority Mail Express return mailer (stamps, not metered postage). DHL cannot be used for return..
Can I get an apostille in person in Alaska?
Yes. Schedule an appointment first at (907) 465-4081; Juneau is the only office that processes apostilles
Does Alaska require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Authentications Department provided the notary is commissioned in Alaska and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Alaska resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Alaska. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
