Illinois Apostille From Out of State or Abroad
How to get an Illinois document apostilled when you no longer live in Illinois
In short: You can get an Illinois apostille without living in or traveling to Illinois. Because an apostille must come from the state that issued or notarized your document, an Illinois document must be authenticated by the Illinois Secretary of State — and we handle that entire process for you by mail, from anywhere in the U.S. or overseas.
Why your document has to be apostilled in Illinois
An apostille is a certificate attached by a specific state's authority — here, the Illinois Secretary of State — verifying that the notary or official who signed your document is genuine, so the document is accepted in another country. Your current state's office cannot apostille an Illinois birth certificate or an Illinois-notarized document; only Illinois can. That's why people who move away get stuck, and it's exactly the gap we fill.
Who this is for
Graduates of Illinois universities (University of Illinois, Northwestern, UChicago, UIC, Illinois State, DePaul, Loyola and others) who have moved home or abroad and need a diploma or transcript apostilled for a job, license, or further study.
Former Illinois residents now living in another state or country who need a birth, marriage, or divorce certificate apostilled for dual citizenship, a visa, marriage, or residency abroad.
Businesses incorporated in Illinois that need a Certificate of Good Standing or corporate documents apostilled for an international transaction.
How it works — a 100% remote process
- Tell us what you need. Call or text 847-436-5222 or request a quote. We confirm exactly which document you have and where it's going.
- Send us your document. Mail or courier it to our Naperville office. If it needs to be notarized first, we can handle that too.
- We submit to the Illinois Secretary of State. Standard by mail, or we hand-carry it to the Chicago counter for expedited processing.
- We return it, tracked. Back to you or straight to your recipient, domestic or international, with status you can follow the whole way.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take?
The Illinois Secretary of State charges $2 per apostille; our service fee starts at $99 per document and covers submission, verification, secure handling, tracking, and coordination. Return shipping is billed at cost, or you provide a prepaid label. Standard state processing runs 5–7 business days plus shipping; our expedited hand-carry option is typically 2–5 business days.
Apostille or authentication?
Documents going to a country in the Hague Apostille Convention get an apostille; documents going to a non-member country need a certificate of authentication and then embassy legalization. The Illinois Secretary of State issues both, and we'll tell you which path your destination country requires. See apostille vs. authentication vs. legalization.
Why Efficient Biometrics
We're a licensed and insured service with a real, staffed office in Naperville (682 Illinois Route 59) — not a P.O. box — a notary on site, document-level tracking so you always know where your originals are, and local proximity to the Chicago Secretary of State counter for genuine expedited service. Call or text 847-436-5222.
Note: FBI background checks and other federal documents are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not Illinois. Ask us and we'll point you the right way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an Illinois apostille if I don't live in Illinois?
Yes. We handle the entire process by mail, so you never have to travel to Illinois.
My documents are in another country — can you still help?
Yes. Ship your document to our Naperville office; we apostille it and return it internationally with tracking.
Does my current state's office apostille Illinois documents?
No. Only the Illinois Secretary of State can apostille an Illinois-issued or Illinois-notarized document.
What does it cost and how long does it take?
The state fee is $2 per apostille; our service starts at $99 per document. Standard is 5–7 business days at the state plus shipping; expedited hand-carry is typically 2–5 business days.