Documents issued or notarized in Delaware are apostilled by the Division of Corporations (Delaware Department of State). The office authenticates the signatures of Delaware public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Delaware-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues Apostilles for Hague countries and Authentications for non-Hague countries at the same fee.
Where to file
| Division of Corporations, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901 | |
| In person | John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901 In-person visits by appointment only; call (302) 739-3077 to schedule hand delivery; personal-use requests usually completed same business day, hand-delivered requests within about 2 hours |
| Online | Document Filing and Certificate Request (upload) service generates the cover memo and is the only way to pay by credit card; original documents still must be delivered |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://corp.delaware.gov/apost_info/ |
How to get a Delaware apostille
- Confirm the document is a Delaware public document
The Division of Corporations authenticates signatures of Delaware officials and Delaware-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 online — Document Filing and Certificate Request (upload) service generates the cover memo and is the only way to pay by credit card; original documents still must be delivered; by mail to Division of Corporations, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901; in person at John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901 (In-person visits by appointment only; call (302) 739-3077 to schedule hand delivery; personal-use requests usually completed same business day, hand-delivered requests within about 2 hours). The fee is $30 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Mailed requests typically processed the same business day; hand-delivered within 2 hours. Expedited: Commercial only: 24-hour $40, same-day $50, 2-hour $500 per file number; personal-use documents are exempt from expedite fees. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $30 per document. Commercial use: $30 each, plus $40 (24-hour) or $50 (same-day) expedite per file number; 2-hour service $500. Natural person / non-commercial use: $30 flat for one or more documents presented together, expedite fees exempt. Checks payable to Delaware Secretary of State drawn on a US bank; AmEx/Discover/MasterCard/Visa only through the upload service, not for mail or walk-in.
Processing time: Mailed requests typically processed the same business day; hand-delivered within 2 hours
Expedited: Commercial only: 24-hour $40, same-day $50, 2-hour $500 per file number; personal-use documents are exempt from expedite fees
Documents Delaware will apostille
- Documents notarized by a Delaware notary public
- Documents signed by a Delaware public official, including certified vital records and county-recorded documents
- Documents filed with the Secretary of State (each certified separately)
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Out-of-state documents or notarizations
- Federal documents
- Photocopies
- Documents issued by a foreign country
- Remotely or electronically notarized documents
- One-cover certifications
- Citizenship/sovereignty documents (e.g. World Service Authority)
Notarized documents
Must be notarized by a Delaware notary; remotely or electronically notarized documents are NOT accepted for apostille; notary may be asked for proof of appointment; foreign-language documents need an English translation with both versions notarized.
Delaware does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Publicly recorded documents must be official copies issued by the Delaware state or county official and are never notarized.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Delaware-specific points
- Personal-use requesters pay a flat $30 for any number of documents submitted together, while businesses pay $30 each.
- 2-hour commercial expedite costs $500.
- Credit cards are refused for mail and walk-in orders; cards work only through the online upload service.
- Walk-in is appointment-only; RON/e-notarized documents are rejected for apostille.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Delaware does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware?
The Division of Corporations charges $30 per document. Commercial use: $30 each, plus $40 (24-hour) or $50 (same-day) expedite per file number; 2-hour service $500. Natural person / non-commercial use: $30 flat for one or more documents presented together, expedite fees exempt. Checks payable to Delaware Secretary of State drawn on a US bank; AmEx/Discover/MasterCard/Visa only through the upload service, not for mail or walk-in.
How long does a Delaware apostille take?
Mailed requests typically processed the same business day; hand-delivered within 2 hours Expedited option: Commercial only: 24-hour $40, same-day $50, 2-hour $500 per file number; personal-use documents are exempt from expedite fees.
Can I get an apostille in person in Delaware?
Yes. In-person visits by appointment only; call (302) 739-3077 to schedule hand delivery; personal-use requests usually completed same business day, hand-delivered requests within about 2 hours
Does Delaware require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Division of Corporations provided the notary is commissioned in Delaware and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Delaware resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Delaware. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
