Documents issued or notarized in Idaho are apostilled by the Idaho Secretary of State, Notary and Apostille Division. The office authenticates the signatures of Idaho public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Idaho-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues apostilles for Hague countries and authentication certificates for non-Hague countries; destination country must be named on the form.
Where to file
| Secretary of State, Attn: Notary Department, PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0080 | |
| In person | 450 N 4th Street, Boise, ID 83702 By appointment only (book at forms.sos.idaho.gov/business-appointment-request or by phone). Hours Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 2:00-4:00 PM; no appointments noon-2 PM. Depending on volume you may be asked to leave documents and return. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://sos.idaho.gov/?p=11200 |
How to get a Idaho apostille
- Confirm the document is a Idaho public document
The Idaho Secretary of State, Notary and Apostille Division authenticates signatures of Idaho officials and Idaho-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: Notary Department, PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0080; in person at 450 N 4th Street, Boise, ID 83702 (By appointment only (book at forms.sos.idaho.gov/business-appointment-request or by phone). Hours Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 2:00-4:00 PM; no appointments noon-2 PM. Depending on volume you may be asked to leave documents and return.). The fee is $10 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: not published; check the official site. Expedited: None. For overnight return include a prepaid, pre-addressed airbill.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $10 per document. Set by statute. Check or money order payable to 'Secretary of State', or credit card (Visa/MC/AmEx/Discover) via a payment link sent after submission; card payments add a non-refundable $1 per transaction. Cash accepted in person but office keeps little change.
Processing time: Not published by the office — check the official page for the current processing date.
Expedited: None. For overnight return include a prepaid, pre-addressed airbill.
Documents Idaho will apostille
- Idaho vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)
- School transcripts, diplomas, degrees signed by a school official and notarized
- Documents notarized by an Idaho notary
- Documents issued by Idaho officials
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- FBI clearance letters (go to U.S. Dept. of State Office of Authentications)
- Documents notarized outside Idaho
Notarized documents
Document must be an original notarized by an Idaho notary public or a certified copy issued by an Idaho official. Out-of-state notarizations must go to that state's Secretary of State.
Idaho 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 listed as eligible; obtain certified copies from Idaho Health and Welfare. No separate rules published.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Idaho-specific points
- Walk-in service is appointment-only, and the office closes to appointments from noon to 2 PM
- Credit card payment is by link after submission and carries a $1 non-refundable surcharge
- Request form is published in English and Spanish
- No published turnaround time; requests are processed daily in order received
- Foreign exchange students must have the school itself notarize the transcript
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Idaho does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho?
The Idaho Secretary of State, Notary and Apostille Division charges $10 per document. Set by statute. Check or money order payable to ‘Secretary of State’, or credit card (Visa/MC/AmEx/Discover) via a payment link sent after submission; card payments add a non-refundable $1 per transaction. Cash accepted in person but office keeps little change.
How long does a Idaho apostille take?
The office does not publish a standard turnaround; contact the office or check the official site for current processing dates. Expedited option: None. For overnight return include a prepaid, pre-addressed airbill..
Can I get an apostille in person in Idaho?
Yes. By appointment only (book at forms.sos.idaho.gov/business-appointment-request or by phone). Hours Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 2:00-4:00 PM; no appointments noon-2 PM. Depending on volume you may be asked to leave documents and return.
Does Idaho require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Idaho Secretary of State, Notary and Apostille Division provided the notary is commissioned in Idaho and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Idaho resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Idaho. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
