Documents issued or notarized in Illinois are apostilled by the Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department. The office authenticates the signatures of Illinois public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Illinois-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues apostilles for Hague countries and certifications for non-Hague countries; destination country must be stated.
Where to file
| Secretary of State, Index Department, 111 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756 | |
| In person | Chicago: 17 N. State St., Suite 1010, Chicago, IL 60602; Springfield: 111 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756 Walk-in service 8:00 AM-4:00 PM at both offices; in-person requests are usually completed the same day, first come first served. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/i213.pdf |
How to get a Illinois apostille
- Confirm the document is a Illinois public document
The Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department authenticates signatures of Illinois officials and Illinois-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, Index Department, 111 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756; in person at Chicago: 17 N. State St., Suite 1010, Chicago, IL 60602; Springfield: 111 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756 (Walk-in service 8:00 AM-4:00 PM at both offices; in-person requests are usually completed the same day, first come first served.). The fee is $2 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: 7-14 business days by mail (per secondary sources); same day in person. Expedited: None published; include a prepaid envelope or UPS/FedEx account number for faster return shipping.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $2 per document. Check or money order payable to 'Illinois Secretary of State'; Visa/MC/Discover/AmEx accepted. Fee does not include any certified copy ordered from the SOS.
Processing time: 7-14 business days by mail (per secondary sources); same day in person
Expedited: None published; include a prepaid envelope or UPS/FedEx account number for faster return shipping.
Documents Illinois will apostille
- Documents notarized by an Illinois notary
- Certified vital records from county clerk, local registrar, or IDPH
- Circuit clerk certified court records
- Notarized school transcripts and diplomas
- Business records certified by the Secretary of State
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Documents issued or notarized outside Illinois
- Federal documents
- Return by fax or email is not available
Notarized documents
Documents must be notarized by a commissioned Illinois notary public or be certified copies from an Illinois official. School transcripts/diplomas: school official signs a certification, which an Illinois notary notarizes.
Illinois 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/death certificates must be certified copies from the county clerk, local registrar, or IDPH Division of Vital Records; marriage certificates certified by the county clerk; divorce decrees certified by the circuit clerk of the issuing court. Vital records should not be notarized.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Illinois-specific points
- Among the cheapest in the country at $2 per document
- Two walk-in offices (Chicago Loop and Springfield); mail goes to Springfield
- Form I-213 'Application for Apostille/Authentication' is required with every request
- Official page could not be fetched this session; addresses and fee confirmed via the German Consulate and university guides, so re-verify hours before publishing
- Credit card payment accepted by mail and in person
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Illinois does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois?
The Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department charges $2 per document. Check or money order payable to ‘Illinois Secretary of State’; Visa/MC/Discover/AmEx accepted. Fee does not include any certified copy ordered from the SOS.
How long does a Illinois apostille take?
7-14 business days by mail (per secondary sources); same day in person Expedited option: None published; include a prepaid envelope or UPS/FedEx account number for faster return shipping..
Can I get an apostille in person in Illinois?
Yes. Walk-in service 8:00 AM-4:00 PM at both offices; in-person requests are usually completed the same day, first come first served.
Does Illinois require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department provided the notary is commissioned in Illinois and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Illinois resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Illinois. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
