| Option | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple / basic | $8–$10 |
| Standard | $18–$30 |
| Complex | $30–$48 |
| Very complex / business | $50+ |
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| Service | Cost | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| State apostille (Secretary of State) | $5–$25 per document | 1–6 weeks |
| Federal apostille (US Dept of State) | $20 per document | 4–8 weeks |
| Expedited state processing | $25–$75 per document | 1–5 business days |
| Apostille service company | $50–$200 per document | 3–10 business days |
| Embassy authentication (non-Hague countries) | $50–$200+ per document | 2–8 weeks |
An apostille certifies a document for use in another country (among Hague Convention members, 125+ countries). Common documents needing apostilles: birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, power of attorney, and corporate documents. Each state has its own apostille process — some allow online submission while others require mailing originals. If your document was issued by the federal government (FBI background check, patent), it goes through the US Department of State instead.
| Service | Cost | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| State apostille (Secretary of State) | $5–$25 per document | 1–6 weeks |
| Federal apostille (US Dept of State) | $20 per document | 4–8 weeks |
| Expedited state processing | $25–$75 per document | 1–5 business days |
| Apostille service company | $50–$200 per document | 3–10 business days |
| Embassy authentication (non-Hague countries) | $50–$200+ per document | 2–8 weeks |
An apostille certifies a document for use in another country (among Hague Convention members, 125+ countries). Common documents needing apostilles: birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, power of attorney, and corporate documents. Each state has its own apostille process — some allow online submission while others require mailing originals. If your document was issued by the federal government (FBI background check, patent), it goes through the US Department of State instead.
Apostille costs are driven primarily by complexity and whether the matter is contested. Simple, uncontested matters with clear documentation can often be handled at flat-fee rates. Once disputes arise, costs shift to hourly billing and become much harder to predict.
Geography matters more than most people realize. Attorney rates in New York or San Francisco can be 2–3 times higher than in smaller markets for the same type of work. If your matter does not require a local attorney, hiring outside a major metro can save substantially without sacrificing quality.