Documents issued or notarized in Indiana are apostilled by the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division (Authentications). The office authenticates the signatures of Indiana public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Indiana-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 from the same office.
Where to file
| Indiana Secretary of State, Authentications, 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204 | |
| In person | 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (only office; no branches) Without appointment: up to 5 documents processed while you wait. With appointment (scheduled via Contact Us page): up to 10 while you wait. Larger batches need an appointment or a self-addressed stamped envelope. Hours not published on the page; phone (317) 234-9768. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.in.gov/sos/business/apostilleauthentication |
How to get a Indiana apostille
- Confirm the document is a Indiana public document
The Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division (Authentications) authenticates signatures of Indiana officials and Indiana-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 Indiana Secretary of State, Authentications, 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204; in person at 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (only office; no branches) (Without appointment: up to 5 documents processed while you wait. With appointment (scheduled via Contact Us page): up to 10 while you wait. Larger batches need an appointment or a self-addressed stamped envelope. Hours not published on the page; phone (317) 234-9768.). The fee is $2 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: 1-2 business days from receipt; documents received by noon mailed next business day, after noon within two business days. Expedited: None. Include a prepaid pre-addressed airbill for overnight return. Requests over 30 documents may take longer.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $2 per document. No fee for birth and death certificates, adoption documents, and student transcripts/diplomas. In person: credit, debit, check, or money order. By mail: check or money order.
Processing time: 1-2 business days from receipt; documents received by noon mailed next business day, after noon within two business days
Expedited: None. Include a prepaid pre-addressed airbill for overnight return. Requests over 30 documents may take longer.
Documents Indiana will apostille
- Indiana birth and death certificates (free)
- Marriage licenses certified by the circuit court clerk
- Certified divorce decrees
- Notarized school transcripts and diplomas (free)
- Adoption papers (free)
- Documents notarized by an Indiana notary
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- FBI background checks (U.S. Dept. of State)
- Documents under a federal agency seal
- Federal court documents
- Documents for use in Puerto Rico
- Medallion signature guarantees
- Foreign birth or marriage records (contact U.S. Dept. of State or USCIS)
Notarized documents
Notarized documents must carry a complete notarial certificate with the notary's signature and seal. Only birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are exempt from notarization. Translations must be notarized; the SOS does not translate.
Indiana 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 Indiana vital records accepted (Indiana Department of Health or county health officer). Birth and death certificates are authenticated free. Marriage licenses need circuit court clerk certification; divorce decrees must be certified copies from the county where entered.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Indiana-specific points
- Birth/death certificates, adoption papers, and transcripts/diplomas are authenticated at no charge
- Indiana no longer uses gold foil seals; the State Seal is applied as a blue ink stamp, so a blue-stamp certificate is genuine
- Certificates are trilingual (English/French/Spanish), stapled twice on the left, and must never be removed
- Will not issue for documents destined for Puerto Rico
- Adding a page to an authenticated package means authenticating that page separately or resubmitting everything
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Indiana does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Indiana 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 Indiana 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 Indiana?
The Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division (Authentications) charges $2 per document. No fee for birth and death certificates, adoption documents, and student transcripts/diplomas. In person: credit, debit, check, or money order. By mail: check or money order.
How long does a Indiana apostille take?
1-2 business days from receipt; documents received by noon mailed next business day, after noon within two business days Expedited option: None. Include a prepaid pre-addressed airbill for overnight return. Requests over 30 documents may take longer..
Can I get an apostille in person in Indiana?
Yes. Without appointment: up to 5 documents processed while you wait. With appointment (scheduled via Contact Us page): up to 10 while you wait. Larger batches need an appointment or a self-addressed stamped envelope. Hours not published on the page; phone (317) 234-9768.
Does Indiana require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division (Authentications) provided the notary is commissioned in Indiana and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Indiana resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Indiana. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
