Alabama Apostille Service
Alabama apostilles are issued by the Authentication Division of the Alabama Secretary of State in Montgomery. The state fee is $5 per document. Alabama does not publish a processing time.
| Issuing office | Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division |
|---|---|
| Where to send | P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103-5616 (in person: 11 South Union Street, Suite 224) |
| State fee | $5 per document |
| Mail processing | The state does not publish a processing time |
| In person | Accepted at the Montgomery office; the state does not publish a turnaround |
| How to submit | By mail or in person, with the Authentication Submittal Form |
| Our service fee | $195 per document, plus the state fee |
Fees checked October 2026 against the Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division.
Apostille Request Form
How long does an apostille take in Alabama?
Mail requests: the state does not publish a processing time. In-person requests: accepted at the Montgomery office; the state does not publish a turnaround.
Allow extra time for shipping in both directions. A missing certification or the wrong type of copy sends a document back and restarts the clock, so we check yours before it is submitted.
An FBI background check is federal, not an Alabama document. It goes to the U.S. Department of State, where regular processing takes 7 to 8 weeks. We offer an expedited FBI apostille in 10 business days.
How much does an Alabama apostille cost?
The state fee is $5 per document, charged by the Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division. Our service fee is $195 per document, which covers document review, submission to the state and return of your originals. Processing time is 10 business days, depending on state delays. Shipping and translation are quoted separately.
How to get an apostille in Alabama: step by step
- Get the right document: a certified birth or death certificate signed by the current Alabama State Registrar, or an original notarized by an Alabama notary.
- Complete the Authentication Submittal Form and name the destination country.
- Mail it with the $5 fee to P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103, or deliver it to 11 South Union Street, Suite 224.
- Include a prepaid return envelope.
What to watch for with Alabama documents
- School documents must be notarized by an Alabama notary.
- Foreign-language documents need a notarized English translation, which we can provide.
Personal documents
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Death Certificate
- Divorce decrees and judgment
- Naturalization Certificate
- Adoption dossier
- Copy of passport
- Copy of drivers license
- Deeds and wills
- Single status affidavit
- Car/ automobile title
- Travel authorization
- State police record
- FBI background record
- No Record Of Marriage
- Apostille Agreement
Corporate documents
- Certificates of incorporation
- Certificates of good standing
- Certificates of origin
- Trademarks/patents
- Business power of attorney
- FDA certificates
- Invoices and free sale certificates
- Department of the Treasury [form 6166]
- Foreign government certificate CFG
Academic documents
- University/college diploma or transcripts
- High School diplomas or transcripts
- Attendance Certificates
Along with the request form, you’ll need to mail in your original document or certified copy. Make sure to include a self-addressed and stamped return envelope so they can mail your document back once it’s been apostilled. Apostille authentication recommends using tracked mail both ways to ensure safe delivery.
This apostilled document can then be presented along with your original document to authorities overseas as proof that it is valid and came from a genuine source.
How we help with your Alabama apostille
You can file an Alabama apostille yourself with the Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division. Many people use us because a rejected document costs more time than the fee.
- We check your document first. Send a photo or scan. We confirm it is the right version, signed by the right official, before anything is submitted.
- We fix what is missing. If your document needs notarizing, a new certified copy, or a county or court certification, we arrange it.
- We submit and collect. We send your documents to the Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division in Montgomery and return the apostilled originals by tracked courier, in the US or abroad.
- We handle the federal side too. FBI background checks and other federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State, not the state. We do both.
- You can talk to a person. Call (971) 514-3743 or request a video consultation.
Our fee: $195 per document, plus the Alabama state fee ($5 per document). 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.
You can also mail your documents to us from anywhere, or visit our offices in Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Vancouver, Herndon and Houston.
Do you need a translation?
An apostille confirms the signature on your document. It does not translate it. If the country you are sending it to does not use English, the receiving office will usually ask for a certified translation as well.
We provide certified translation, so your Alabama document can be apostilled and translated in one order. Each translation comes with a signed certificate of accuracy.
Order matters. Some countries want the translation done after the apostille so the apostille page is translated too; others have their own translator requirements. Tell us the country and we will confirm the correct order before you pay. Contact us for a translation quote.
Alabama apostille FAQ
How much does an Alabama apostille cost?
The state fee is $5 per document, charged by the Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division. Our service fee is $195 per document, plus the state fee.
How long does an Alabama apostille take?
Mail requests: the state does not publish a processing time. In-person requests: accepted at the Montgomery office; the state does not publish a turnaround.
Where do I get an Alabama apostille?
Alabama apostilles are issued by the Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division in Montgomery.
Can Alabama apostille my FBI background check?
No. FBI background checks are federal and are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. We handle that for $195 with regular processing in 7 to 8 weeks, or $390 expedited in 10 business days.
Do I need an apostille or an authentication?
Countries in the Hague Apostille Convention accept an apostille. Other countries need an authentication followed by embassy legalization. Tell us the country and we will confirm which applies.
Can you apostille an Alabama document if I live outside Alabama?
Yes. Mail us the document from anywhere in the world and we return it by tracked courier.
Source: Alabama Secretary of State, Authentication Division. Last checked October 2026.