How Much Does an Apostille Cost?
Understanding apostille costs can be confusing because there's no single national fee — each state sets its own apostille fee schedule. State fees range from as low as $2 per document in Illinois to $40 per document in Connecticut. On top of the state fee, you may incur costs for certified copies, notarization, expedited processing, and professional service fees. This guide breaks down every cost component so you can plan and budget effectively.
Last reviewed: February 2026
Cost Components of Getting an Apostille
- State apostille fee — varies by state ($2–$40 per document)
- Certified copy fee — if you need to obtain a new certified copy of your document
- Notarization fee — required for private documents before apostille
- Expedited processing fee — available in most states for faster turnaround
- Service fee — if using a professional apostille service like 1Apostille
- Shipping and handling — for mailing documents to and from the state office
- Translation fee — if your destination country requires a certified translation
Ways to Avoid Unnecessary Costs
- Get a free document review before paying for apostille — incorrect documents mean wasted fees
- Verify you have the right type of certified copy — re-ordering adds cost and time
- Check if your document needs notarization first — submitting without it wastes the state fee
- Don't pay for expedited processing unless you actually need it — standard processing saves money
- Bundle multiple documents in one submission when possible — some services offer volume discounts
- Verify your destination country actually requires apostille — some countries accept notarized documents without apostille
Apostille vs. Notarization
A notarization verifies a signer's identity. An apostille is a government certification that authenticates a document for international legal use. Foreign governments require apostilles — notarization alone is insufficient.
Top Reasons for Rejection
Hospital-issued birth certificates, photocopies, unsigned documents, and sending to the wrong state office are the most common causes of apostille rejections. Our free document review catches these issues before submission.
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Understand State Fee Variations
Each state sets its own apostille fee. The lowest fees are in states like Illinois ($2), Georgia ($3), and Arizona ($5). The highest fees are in states like Connecticut ($40), New York ($10 per county clerk authentication + $10 for state), and California ($26). These fees are per document — if you're apostilling multiple documents, multiply accordingly.
Factor in Certified Copy Costs
If you don't already have the certified document you need, you'll pay for a certified copy. Birth certificates typically cost $10–$30 depending on the state. Court documents may cost $1–$5 per page. FBI background checks cost $18 for the fingerprint card processing. These costs are separate from the apostille fee.
Consider Notarization Costs
Private documents (contracts, affidavits, powers of attorney) must be notarized before apostille. Notarization fees vary by state — typically $5–$25 per notarial act. Some states cap notary fees by law, while others allow the market to set prices. Mobile notary services may charge additional travel fees.
Evaluate Expedited Processing Costs
Most states offer expedited apostille processing for an additional fee — typically $10–$50 on top of the standard fee. Same-day processing, where available, costs more. Our expedited service includes all state fees and can reduce turnaround from weeks to days.
Professional Service Fees
Professional apostille services like 1Apostille charge a service fee that covers document review, submission, tracking, and return shipping. This fee is separate from state fees but often saves money by preventing rejections and resubmissions. Our service includes a free document review to ensure your documents are correct before we submit them.
State Considerations
State apostille fees are set by law and cannot be negotiated. However, some states offer volume discounts for multiple documents. The most affordable states for apostille are Illinois ($2), Georgia ($3), Wyoming ($5), and Arizona ($5). The most expensive are Connecticut ($40), California ($26), and New Hampshire ($25). Our service fee is consistent regardless of which state processes your document.
View All 50 State PagesInternational Considerations
Destination country requirements can affect total cost. Some countries require certified translations of apostilled documents, which adds $50–$150 per document depending on length and language. Some countries require specific document formats that may need additional notarization. For non-Hague Convention countries, embassy legalization fees ($50–$250+) replace the apostille process entirely.
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