Apostille Illinois — Illinois Apostille Guide & Services
Apostille Illinois made simple. Follow our Illinois apostille guide or let us handle the full Illinois apostille process — document review, in-person filing with the Illinois Secretary of State, and secure return shipping. Same day (walk-in), 5-7 business days (mail).
Illinois Apostille Service Packages
Standard Service
State apostille processing for documents from any U.S. state
- State apostille processing
- Document review before filing
- Status tracking
- Secure tracked return shipping
Federal Processing
U.S. Department of State apostille for federal documents
- Federal apostille (FBI, USPTO, IRS, etc.)
- Priority handling
- Status tracking
- Secure tracked return shipping
Illinois Apostille Guide
Illinois apostille guide — steps, offices, fees, and common mistakes for personal, business, and educational documents bound for Hague Convention countries.
What is an Illinois Apostille?
An Illinois apostille is a certification issued by the Illinois Secretary of State that authenticates the signature of an Illinois notary public or state official on a document — so the document is recognized in any country that is a member of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
Without an apostille, your Illinois document generally will not be accepted by foreign authorities for immigration, dual citizenship, marriage, adoption, study abroad, or international business transactions.
Illinois Documents That Commonly Need an Apostille
Vital records and court- or school-issued documents cannot be notarized — they follow an apostille-only path from the certified original.
Illinois Apostille Step-by-Step Process
1. Prepare the Original Document
Make sure the document is an original or a certified copy. Photocopies are not apostille-eligible.
2. Illinois Notarization (if applicable)
Private documents (POA, affidavits, contracts) must be signed in front of an Illinois-commissioned notary public.
3. Submit to the Illinois Secretary of State
In-person walk-in at the Index Department in Springfield or Chicago, or by mail with a self-addressed prepaid return envelope.
4. Pay State Fees
$2 per document. Accepted payment: check, money order, and in some cases credit card for in-person filings.
5. Return & International Shipping
Once the apostille is issued, we return the document to you or ship it directly to your international recipient via DHL or FedEx.
Illinois Apostille Offices
Springfield
111 E. Monroe St, Springfield, IL 62756
Chicago
James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Same-day walk-in service available at both offices.
Turnaround & Fees
State fee: $2 / document
Walk-in: same day
Mail: 5–7 business days
Our service: Standard 7–10 days, Rush 3–5 days
Common Mistakes That Delay an Illinois Apostille
- •Submitting photocopies instead of originals or certified copies.
- •Notarization by an out-of-state notary — Illinois apostilles only certify Illinois-commissioned notaries.
- •Missing notary seal or commission expiration date.
- •Missing destination country on the cover letter.
- •Requesting an apostille for vital records without first getting the county or state certified copy.
Illinois Apostille FAQ
How long does an Illinois apostille take?
Same day in person in Springfield or Chicago, or 5–7 business days by mail. With our Rush service, we typically deliver in 3–5 business days.
How much does an Illinois apostille cost?
The Illinois state fee is just $2 per document — one of the lowest in the country. Our service fee covers preparation, in-person filing, and secure return.
Can you notarize my Illinois document at your Olivette, MO office?
For documents bound for an Illinois apostille, we recommend notarization by an Illinois-commissioned notary. We coordinate this as part of full-service handling.
Do I need a federal apostille instead of an Illinois one?
Federal apostilles are only for federal documents (FBI, USDA, IRS, immigration records). Illinois-issued documents always go through the Illinois Secretary of State.