Documents issued or notarized in New Mexico are apostilled by the Business Services Division, Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State. The office authenticates the signatures of New Mexico public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and New Mexico-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues an Apostille for Hague countries and a 'Certificate of Appointment' for non-Hague countries.
Where to file
| New Mexico Secretary of State, Business Services Division, 325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501 | |
| In person | 325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501 In-person service Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:30 pm; Friday in-person service closed. No appointment stated. |
| Online | Request must be filed online through the Enterprise portal (enterprise.sos.nm.gov, 'Notary, Apostille, & Facsimile Filings'); the generated request is then submitted with the original documents in person or by mail. Payment taken online by credit card or e-check. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.sos.nm.gov/notary-and-apostille/apostille-authentications/ |
How to get a New Mexico apostille
- Confirm the document is a New Mexico public document
The Business Services Division, Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State authenticates signatures of New Mexico officials and New Mexico-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 — Request must be filed online through the Enterprise portal (enterprise.sos.nm.gov, 'Notary, Apostille, & Facsimile Filings'); the generated request is then submitted with the original documents in person or by mail. Payment taken online by credit card or e-check.; by mail to New Mexico Secretary of State, Business Services Division, 325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501; in person at 325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (In-person service Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:30 pm; Friday in-person service closed. No appointment stated.). The fee is $3 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Not published; requests are processed daily Monday-Thursday.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $3 per document. Statutory $3.00 per document for apostille or certificate of appointment; credit card or e-check via the online portal.
Processing time: Not published; requests are processed daily Monday-Thursday.
Documents New Mexico will apostille
- Notarized original documents
- Certified recorded instruments from County Clerks
- State Registrar vital records (birth, death)
- Marriage certificates and divorce decrees
- School transcripts
- Court documents
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Notary-certified photocopies of vital records or recordable public documents
- Documents from other states
Notarized documents
Document must be an original notarized by a New Mexico notary. Notaries may not photocopy/copy-certify birth, death or marriage certificates or publicly recordable documents.
New Mexico does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Certified birth and death certificates must come from the State Registrar, Vital Records & Health Statistics, Santa Fe (505-827-0121). Marriage and divorce records come from the county clerk or district court.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
New Mexico-specific points
- Lowest fee in the region: $3 per document, set by statute.
- Request is filed online first even for mail/walk-in submissions; originals still must be delivered physically.
- Certificate is attached with a metal eyelet; removing it tears the document and invalidates the authentication.
- Office processes requests only Monday-Thursday; Friday walk-in service is closed.
- Return shipping abroad requires a prepaid, pre-addressed international air bill and envelope.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
New Mexico does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico?
The Business Services Division, Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State charges $3 per document. Statutory $3.00 per document for apostille or certificate of appointment; credit card or e-check via the online portal.
How long does a New Mexico apostille take?
Not published; requests are processed daily Monday-Thursday.
Can I get an apostille in person in New Mexico?
Yes. In-person service Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:30 pm; Friday in-person service closed. No appointment stated.
Does New Mexico require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Business Services Division, Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State provided the notary is commissioned in New Mexico and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a New Mexico resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by New Mexico. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
