Documents issued or notarized in Louisiana are apostilled by the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division. The office authenticates the signatures of Louisiana public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Louisiana-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues apostilles for Hague countries and Certificates of Authentication for non-Hague countries; the office decides which applies.
Where to file
| Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125 (courier: 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809) | |
| In person | 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, excluding state holidays; same-day service possible in person (confirm by phone, 225-922-0330). |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.sos.la.gov/NotaryAndCertifications/Certifications/AuthenticateSignaturesOfLouisianaOfficials/Pages/default.aspx |
How to get a Louisiana apostille
- Confirm the document is a Louisiana public document
The Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division authenticates signatures of Louisiana officials and Louisiana-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 Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125 (courier: 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809); in person at 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, excluding state holidays; same-day service possible in person (confirm by phone, 225-922-0330).). The fee is $20 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: not published; check the official site. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $20 per document. $10 per document for adoption-related documents (corroborating evidence may be required). Credit/debit card details on the Authentication Request Form, check with the documents, or pay at the counter.
Processing time: Not published by the office — check the official page for the current processing date.
Documents Louisiana will apostille
- Documents signed by Louisiana notaries, clerks of court, judges, sheriffs, justices of the peace
- LDH Vital Records certified copies signed by the State Registrar
- Official transcripts and diplomas signed by Louisiana state-accredited university registrars, presidents, or deans
- Business documents on file with the Commercial Division
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Photocopies of clerk-of-court or vital records documents
- Documents intended for use within the United States
- Notarizations lacking the notary's printed name and ID number
Notarized documents
Documents without a certification, or whose certifier is not on record with the SOS, must be notarized by a Louisiana notary in compliance with Louisiana Notary Law. The notary's printed name and notary ID number must appear beneath the signature or the document is returned.
Louisiana 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 must be certified copies from LDH Vital Records signed by the State Registrar; photocopies are not accepted and no notarization is needed. Only Orleans Parish marriage certificates are issued by LDH; other parish marriage records come from the clerk of court.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Louisiana-specific points
- Highest fee in this batch at $20 per document; adoption documents are half price
- Notary signature must include printed name AND Louisiana notary ID number, a frequent cause of returns
- Do not put the SOS address on your return label; the office will not pay for return courier service
- Business documents on file with the Commercial Division can be requested by fax (225-932-5313)
- LDH issues marriage certificates only for Orleans Parish; elsewhere the clerk of court is the source
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Louisiana does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
The Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division charges $20 per document. $10 per document for adoption-related documents (corroborating evidence may be required). Credit/debit card details on the Authentication Request Form, check with the documents, or pay at the counter.
How long does a Louisiana apostille take?
The office does not publish a standard turnaround; contact the office or check the official site for current processing dates.
Can I get an apostille in person in Louisiana?
Yes. Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, excluding state holidays; same-day service possible in person (confirm by phone, 225-922-0330).
Does Louisiana require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division provided the notary is commissioned in Louisiana and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Louisiana resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Louisiana. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
