---
title: "Apostille Cost Guide — How Much Does an Apostille Cost? | 1Apostille"
url: https://1apostille.com/resources/apostille-cost-guide
description: "Complete guide to apostille costs in the United States. State fees range from $2 to $40. Learn what affects pricing and how to avoid unnecessary expenses."
lang: en
---

Complete U.S. Apostille Cost Breakdown by State

# 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

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## 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.

### Ready to Get Started?

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## Step-by-Step Process

1

### 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.

2

### 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.

3

### 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.

4

### 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.

5

### 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 Pages (https://1apostille.com/coverage)

### International 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.

View Country Guides (https://1apostille.com/services/international-document-use)

## Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an apostille cost in the United States?+

State apostille fees range from $2 to $40 per document depending on the state. Additional costs include certified copy fees, notarization, expedited processing, and professional service fees. Total costs typically range from $50–$200 per document with professional service.

Which state has the cheapest apostille?+

Illinois has the lowest apostille fee at $2 per document. Georgia ($3), Wyoming ($5), and Arizona ($5) also have very low fees. However, state fees are only one component of total cost.

Which state has the most expensive apostille?+

Connecticut has the highest apostille fee at $40 per document. California ($26) and Alaska ($25) also have higher fees.

Does 1Apostille include state fees in their pricing?+

Yes. Our service fee includes all state apostille fees, document review, submission, tracking, and return shipping. There are no hidden costs.

Is it cheaper to apostille documents myself?+

You can save the professional service fee by doing it yourself, but mistakes can be costly. A rejected submission wastes the state fee and adds weeks of delay. Our free document review catches most issues before submission.

How much does expedited apostille cost?+

Expedited processing fees vary by state — typically $10–$50 additional per document. Our expedited service includes all fees and can reduce turnaround to 1–3 business days in most states.

## Related Guides & Services

How Long Does an Apostille Take?: https://1apostille.com/resources/how-long-does-apostille-take
Common Apostille Mistakes: https://1apostille.com/resources/common-apostille-mistakes
What Is an Apostille?: https://1apostille.com/resources/what-is-an-apostille
How to Apostille a Document: https://1apostille.com/how-to-apostille
Apostille Document Validity: https://1apostille.com/resources/apostille-document-validity
Order Apostille: https://1apostille.com/order

## Start Your Apostille Order Today

Don't risk delays. Let our expert team handle the apostille process for you.

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Call (833) 725-8001: 8337258001

Documents handled securely and confidentially • Not affiliated with any government agency • Processing times vary by issuing authority

Start Apostille Order: https://1apostille.com/order
Call: 8337258001

Disclaimer: 1Apostille is a private document processing service. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with any Secretary of State office or the U.S. Department of State. Our service fees are separate from government filing fees. Processing times are estimates and may vary based on state office workload and document type. This website does not provide legal advice.

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