Documents issued or notarized in Wisconsin are apostilled by the Apostilles and Authentications, Office of the Secretary of State (Wisconsin Secretary of State). The office authenticates the signatures of Wisconsin public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Wisconsin-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Apostilles can be issued by either the Secretary of State or the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI); authentications for non-Hague countries only by the Secretary of State.
Where to file
| Wisconsin Secretary of State, PO Box 7848, Madison, WI 53707-7848 | |
| In person | B41 W State Capitol (basement level), Madison, WI 53703 Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; Thu 8:00 AM-6:00 PM. Expedited walk-in service is generally available same-day; no appointment mentioned. |
| Online | Orders start at sos-services.wi.gov (MyWisconsinID login): pay online, then mail or deliver the original documents with the prepaid return envelope. Orders cancelled if documents not received within 60 days. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://sos.wi.gov/apostilles.htm |
How to get a Wisconsin apostille
- Confirm the document is a Wisconsin public document
The Apostilles and Authentications, Office of the Secretary of State authenticates signatures of Wisconsin officials and Wisconsin-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 — Orders start at sos-services.wi.gov (MyWisconsinID login): pay online, then mail or deliver the original documents with the prepaid return envelope. Orders cancelled if documents not received within 60 days.; by mail to Wisconsin Secretary of State, PO Box 7848, Madison, WI 53707-7848; in person at B41 W State Capitol (basement level), Madison, WI 53703 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; Thu 8:00 AM-6:00 PM. Expedited walk-in service is generally available same-day; no appointment mentioned.). The fee is $10 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Standard: 7-20 business days from receipt; expedited: 1-4 business days. Expedited: $35 per document, 1-4 business days; same-day generally available at the Capitol walk-in counter. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $10 per document. Expedited $35 per document. Card (no American Express), Apple Pay, cash, check or money order payable to Wisconsin Secretary of State; no change for bills over $50.
Processing time: Standard: 7-20 business days from receipt; expedited: 1-4 business days
Expedited: $35 per document, 1-4 business days; same-day generally available at the Capitol walk-in counter
Documents Wisconsin will apostille
- WI vital records from DHS or county register of deeds
- Wisconsin court and county official documents
- WI-notarized documents
- University of Wisconsin registrar/president-issued records
- Other school records certified by registrar then WI-notarized
- Documents in foreign languages (certification must be readable)
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Federal documents and federal court documents
- Vital records or documents from other states or countries
- Documents for use in US states or territories including Puerto Rico
- Digital or electronic notarizations
- Photocopies or notarized copies of vital records
- Documents signed by military notaries, federal officials or consular officers
Notarized documents
Wisconsin notary with wet-ink stamp or embosser; digital/electronic notarizations rejected. Certificate must include venue (Wisconsin and county), one of four approved statements (witness signature, oath, acknowledgment, certified copy), date, signature, seal and commission expiration. Notaries may not add commentary about the document, signer or capacity.
Wisconsin does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Wisconsin-issued certified vital records accepted as issued; photocopies and notarized copies rejected. Out-of-state records go to the issuing state. No stated age limit.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Wisconsin-specific points
- Two competent authorities: Secretary of State and the Department of Financial Institutions both issue apostilles
- Expedited fee ($35) is 3.5x standard and buys 1-4 days instead of up to 20 business days
- Only four notarial statement formats are accepted; any added notary commentary causes rejection
- Office may warn Argentina/Venezuela-bound documents need a different form of authentication
- DHL and FedEx Ground cannot be used for return shipping
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Wisconsin does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
The Apostilles and Authentications, Office of the Secretary of State charges $10 per document. Expedited $35 per document. Card (no American Express), Apple Pay, cash, check or money order payable to Wisconsin Secretary of State; no change for bills over $50.
How long does a Wisconsin apostille take?
Standard: 7-20 business days from receipt; expedited: 1-4 business days Expedited option: $35 per document, 1-4 business days; same-day generally available at the Capitol walk-in counter.
Can I get an apostille in person in Wisconsin?
Yes. Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; Thu 8:00 AM-6:00 PM. Expedited walk-in service is generally available same-day; no appointment mentioned.
Does Wisconsin require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Apostilles and Authentications, Office of the Secretary of State provided the notary is commissioned in Wisconsin and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Wisconsin resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Wisconsin. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
