Documents issued or notarized in Kentucky are apostilled by the Kentucky Secretary of State, Authentications and Apostilles (Office of Business Services, Records Section). The office authenticates the signatures of Kentucky public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Kentucky-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Single certificate adopted for all Kentucky public documents regardless of destination (Hague or not).
Where to file
| Office of Business Services, Records Section, P.O. Box 718, Frankfort, KY 40602 | |
| In person | 1025 Capital Center Drive, Suite 201, Frankfort, KY 40601 Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; completed while you wait and handed back. |
| Online | e-Apostille portal (web.sos.ky.gov/apostille/eapostillerequest.aspx): upload a PDF, pay $5 online, receive the apostille as an emailed PDF. Not available for vital records. Electronically notarized documents must be submitted only through this portal. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.sos.ky.gov/bus/apostilles |
How to get a Kentucky apostille
- Confirm the document is a Kentucky public document
The Kentucky Secretary of State, Authentications and Apostilles (Office of Business Services, Records Section) authenticates signatures of Kentucky officials and Kentucky-commissioned notaries only. Documents from other states go to their own state; federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Obtain county certification where required
Paper documents notarized by a Kentucky notary must have the notary's signature certified by the County Clerk of the county where the notary is registered before the SOS will apostille them. Circuit Court Clerk records must also be certified by the County Clerk. Electronically notarized PDFs by a Kentucky Online Notary are exempt.
- 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 — e-Apostille portal (web.sos.ky.gov/apostille/eapostillerequest.aspx): upload a PDF, pay $5 online, receive the apostille as an emailed PDF. Not available for vital records. Electronically notarized documents must be submitted only through this portal.; by mail to Office of Business Services, Records Section, P.O. Box 718, Frankfort, KY 40602; in person at 1025 Capital Center Drive, Suite 201, Frankfort, KY 40601 (Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; completed while you wait and handed back.). The fee is $5 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: 3 business days by mail; while you wait in person. Expedited: None; include a prepaid FedEx/UPS/USPS Priority label for faster, tracked return.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $5 per document. Same $5 for mail, walk-in, and electronic. Mailed requests: check payable to 'Kentucky State Treasurer'. Electronic requests paid online.
Processing time: 3 business days by mail; while you wait in person
Expedited: None; include a prepaid FedEx/UPS/USPS Priority label for faster, tracked return.
Electronic apostilles: Kentucky issues e-apostilles. See the official page for which documents qualify and how electronic certificates are delivered; background in how e-apostilles work.
Documents Kentucky will apostille
- Kentucky vital records with current State Registrar signature
- County Clerk certified records
- Circuit Court records (after County Clerk certification)
- Notarized school transcripts and diplomas
- Notarized Kentucky State Police background checks
- Affidavits of True Copy (if the receiving country accepts them)
- Electronically notarized PDFs via the e-Apostille portal
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Administrative Office of the Courts background checks (lack required signatures)
- FBI checks, IRS records, passports, and other federal documents
- U.S. District Court documents (apostilled by the issuing court)
- Out-of-state or foreign documents
- Any request missing required signatures (rejected outright)
Notarized documents
Principal signature must be notarized by a Kentucky notary, then County Clerk certified. Applies to school records, KSP background checks (request a notarized version), and Affidavits of True Copy. Request form requires checking exactly one box: County Clerk certified or State Registrar certified.
County certification required. Paper documents notarized by a Kentucky notary must have the notary's signature certified by the County Clerk of the county where the notary is registered before the SOS will apostille them. Circuit Court Clerk records must also be certified by the County Clerk. Electronically notarized PDFs by a Kentucky Online Notary are exempt.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Birth, marriage, divorce, and single-status certificates must bear the signature of the CURRENT State Registrar; tell the Office of Vital Statistics (502-564-4212) the copy is for an apostille. Vital records cannot use the e-Apostille portal.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Kentucky-specific points
- One of the few states issuing true e-Apostilles as emailed PDFs for $5
- County Clerk pre-certification of the notary is mandatory for paper notarized documents; Kentucky Online Notary e-notarizations skip it
- Vital records must be signed by the current State Registrar; older copies with a former registrar's signature are rejected
- Checks are payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, not the Secretary of State
- AOC court background checks cannot be apostilled; use a notarized Kentucky State Police check instead
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Kentucky does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
The Kentucky Secretary of State, Authentications and Apostilles (Office of Business Services, Records Section) charges $5 per document. Same $5 for mail, walk-in, and electronic. Mailed requests: check payable to ‘Kentucky State Treasurer’. Electronic requests paid online.
How long does a Kentucky apostille take?
3 business days by mail; while you wait in person Expedited option: None; include a prepaid FedEx/UPS/USPS Priority label for faster, tracked return..
Can I get an apostille in person in Kentucky?
Yes. Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; completed while you wait and handed back.
Does Kentucky require county clerk certification before an apostille?
Paper documents notarized by a Kentucky notary must have the notary’s signature certified by the County Clerk of the county where the notary is registered before the SOS will apostille them. Circuit Court Clerk records must also be certified by the County Clerk. Electronically notarized PDFs by a Kentucky Online Notary are exempt.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Kentucky resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Kentucky. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
