Documents issued or notarized in Maine are apostilled by the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions (Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions). The office authenticates the signatures of Maine public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Maine-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues apostilles for Hague countries and standard authentications for non-Hague countries.
Where to file
| Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions, 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101 | |
| In person | 6 E. Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Augusta, ME 04330 Requests with more than 5 documents require an appointment (207-624-7752). Hours and same-day availability not published. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.maine.gov/sos/corporations-commissions/authentications-and-apostilles |
How to get a Maine apostille
- Confirm the document is a Maine public document
The Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions authenticates signatures of Maine officials and Maine-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, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions, 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101; in person at 6 E. Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Augusta, ME 04330 (Requests with more than 5 documents require an appointment (207-624-7752). Hours and same-day availability not published.). The fee is $10 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: 10-15 business days. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $10 per document. Called a 'special certification' fee. Check or money order payable to Secretary of State in U.S. funds, or Visa/MC/Discover/AmEx via the Credit Card Payment Voucher.
Processing time: 10-15 business days
Documents Maine will apostille
- Notarized documents with a jurat or acknowledgement
- Vital records issued by municipal, court, or state officials
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Notarized documents lacking a notarial statement
Notarized documents
Document must contain a notarial statement (jurat or acknowledgement) on or attached to it; a missing notarial statement is the most common cause of rejection.
Maine does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Order birth, marriage, divorce, or death records from Maine DHHS Vital Records; when ordering by mail or VitalChek, ask that the record be forwarded directly to the Secretary of State (call Vital Records at 207-287-1919 after a VitalChek order). Records issued by municipal, court, or state officials are eligible.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Maine-specific points
- Vital records can be ordered from DHHS or VitalChek and forwarded straight to the SOS, skipping a mailing step
- More than 5 documents in person requires a phone appointment
- 10-15 business day turnaround is the slowest in this batch
- Mailing outside the U.S. requires you to supply the shipping label; customs forms are your responsibility
- Office follows state holidays; closed Nov 11, 2026
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Maine does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Maine 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 Maine 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 Maine?
The Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions charges $10 per document. Called a ‘special certification’ fee. Check or money order payable to Secretary of State in U.S. funds, or Visa/MC/Discover/AmEx via the Credit Card Payment Voucher.
How long does a Maine apostille take?
10-15 business days
Can I get an apostille in person in Maine?
Yes. Requests with more than 5 documents require an appointment (207-624-7752). Hours and same-day availability not published.
Does Maine require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions provided the notary is commissioned in Maine and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Maine resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Maine. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
