Illinois Court Document Apostille — Judgments, Orders & Records
Certified circuit-court records for use abroad
In short: Illinois court documents used abroad — judgments, orders, name-change decrees, and other certified circuit-court records — must be apostilled by the Illinois Secretary of State. We apostille certified copies from the circuit court clerk by mail for clients anywhere.
Which court records can be apostilled
A certified copy from the circuit court clerk, bearing the clerk's signature and seal — for example judgments and orders, name-change decrees, guardianship or custody orders, and probate documents. Divorce decrees have their own page.
Common uses
Immigration and residency abroad, foreign name or civil-status changes, international custody and guardianship recognition, and cross-border estate and probate matters.
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.
- 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.
Cost & turnaround
Court records start at $99 per document; return shipping at cost or a prepaid label. Standard 5–7 business days; expedited 2–5.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a certified copy or is a printout enough?
You need a certified copy from the circuit court clerk with the clerk's signature and seal.
Is a divorce decree handled here?
A divorce decree has its own dedicated apostille page, but it's the same process.
The destination isn't a Hague member — now what?
It'll need authentication plus embassy legalization — see our apostille vs. authentication vs. legalization guide.