Documents issued or notarized in Iowa are apostilled by the Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The office authenticates the signatures of Iowa public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Iowa-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Since 2025 Iowa issues one Single Certificate format for every destination country, Hague or not; an indicator at the bottom notes the certificate is not necessarily an 'apostille'.
Where to file
| Secretary of State, Business Services Division, Lucas Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th St., Des Moines, IA 50319 | |
| In person | Lucas Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th St., Des Moines, IA 50319 Same-day service Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-3:30 PM, excluding state holidays. |
| Online | Upload through the Fast Track Filing system (Business Filings tab > Paper Filing Upload): combine the request form and documents into one multi-page PDF; you receive a tracking number and the paper certificate is mailed back. Reviewed in date order. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://sos.iowa.gov/notaries/apostilles-and-certifications |
How to get a Iowa apostille
- Confirm the document is a Iowa public document
The Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division authenticates signatures of Iowa officials and Iowa-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 — Upload through the Fast Track Filing system (Business Filings tab > Paper Filing Upload): combine the request form and documents into one multi-page PDF; you receive a tracking number and the paper certificate is mailed back. Reviewed in date order.; by mail to Secretary of State, Business Services Division, Lucas Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th St., Des Moines, IA 50319; in person at Lucas Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th St., Des Moines, IA 50319 (Same-day service Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-3:30 PM, excluding state holidays.). The fee is $5 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: not published; check the official site. Expedited: Walk in for same-day service; for courier return (e.g. FedEx) supply a prepaid shipping label before the order will ship.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $5 per document. Check payable to 'Iowa Secretary of State' or Visa/MC/AmEx/Discover with signed authorization on the form. Do not mail cash.
Processing time: Not published by the office — check the official page for the current processing date.
Expedited: Walk in for same-day service; for courier return (e.g. FedEx) supply a prepaid shipping label before the order will ship.
Documents Iowa will apostille
- Public documents signed by Iowa notaries or Iowa officials
Notarized documents
Certificate attests that the Iowa notary or official was commissioned or actively serving when they signed. No additional pre-certification published.
Iowa does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Iowa-specific points
- The office tells you to mail a COPY of your document and keep the original; the certificate is attached to the copy
- Single Certificate format (2025) is longer and no longer printed on gold-seal paper, which confuses some receiving countries; the plain paper is the legitimate certification
- Requests can be uploaded as a PDF via Fast Track Filing but the certificate still comes back by USPS
- Handwritten request forms must be in block print
- Foreign authorities can phone the office to verify a certificate number
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Iowa does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa?
The Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division charges $5 per document. Check payable to ‘Iowa Secretary of State’ or Visa/MC/AmEx/Discover with signed authorization on the form. Do not mail cash.
How long does a Iowa apostille take?
The office does not publish a standard turnaround; contact the office or check the official site for current processing dates. Expedited option: Walk in for same-day service; for courier return (e.g. FedEx) supply a prepaid shipping label before the order will ship..
Can I get an apostille in person in Iowa?
Yes. Same-day service Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-3:30 PM, excluding state holidays.
Does Iowa require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division provided the notary is commissioned in Iowa and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Iowa resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Iowa. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
