Documents issued or notarized in Arizona are apostilled by the Apostille Department, Business Services Division (Arizona Secretary of State). The office authenticates the signatures of Arizona public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Arizona-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues Apostilles and Certificates of Authentication (form is titled Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request).
Where to file
| Secretary of State, Attn: Apostille Dept., 1700 W. Washington Street, Fl. 7, Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808 | |
| In person | Phoenix: State Capitol Executive Tower, 1700 W. Washington Street, Suite 220, Phoenix, AZ 85007; Tucson: Arizona State Complex Building, 400 West Congress, Second Floor, Suite 221, Tucson, AZ 85701 Phoenix and Tucson open Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm (excluding holidays); walk-in service carries a $25 expedite fee and is limited to 6 documents |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://azsos.gov/business/authentication |
How to get a Arizona apostille
- Confirm the document is a Arizona public document
The Apostille Department, Business Services Division authenticates signatures of Arizona officials and Arizona-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 Secretary of State, Attn: Apostille Dept., 1700 W. Washington Street, Fl. 7, Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808; in person at Phoenix: State Capitol Executive Tower, 1700 W. Washington Street, Suite 220, Phoenix, AZ 85007; Tucson: Arizona State Complex Building, 400 West Congress, Second Floor, Suite 221, Tucson, AZ 85701 (Phoenix and Tucson open Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm (excluding holidays); walk-in service carries a $25 expedite fee and is limited to 6 documents). The fee is $3 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: 10-20 business days by mail. Expedited: Walk-in only: $25 expedite fee, limit 6 documents. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $3 per document. $25 walk-in expedite fee (max 6 documents); $18 notarial capacity certificate for Puerto Rico or other US territories; $25 returned-payment fee. Check or money order payable to Arizona Secretary of State; do not mail cash.
Processing time: 10-20 business days by mail
Expedited: Walk-in only: $25 expedite fee, limit 6 documents
Documents Arizona will apostille
- Original documents notarized by an Arizona notary public
- Certified recorded documents from Arizona court clerks or state document custodians
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Photocopies
- Documents recorded or notarized in another state (returned to requester)
Notarized documents
Original notarized document required; certifies Arizona notaries public, court clerks, and state document custodians. Photocopies rejected.
Arizona does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Arizona-specific points
- At $3 per document Arizona is among the cheapest states, but walk-in service always adds a $25 expedite fee.
- Explicitly states 'We do not issue electronic apostilles.'
- Return postage is mandatory for mail requests and the return label must list the customer as both sender and recipient.
- Charges $18 for a 'notarial capacity certificate' for documents going to Puerto Rico or other US territories (most states refuse these outright).
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Arizona does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Arizona 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 Arizona 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 Arizona?
The Apostille Department, Business Services Division charges $3 per document. $25 walk-in expedite fee (max 6 documents); $18 notarial capacity certificate for Puerto Rico or other US territories; $25 returned-payment fee. Check or money order payable to Arizona Secretary of State; do not mail cash.
How long does a Arizona apostille take?
10-20 business days by mail Expedited option: Walk-in only: $25 expedite fee, limit 6 documents.
Can I get an apostille in person in Arizona?
Yes. Phoenix and Tucson open Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm (excluding holidays); walk-in service carries a $25 expedite fee and is limited to 6 documents
Does Arizona require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Apostille Department, Business Services Division provided the notary is commissioned in Arizona and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Arizona resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Arizona. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
