An apostille costs a government fee of about $10 to $20 per document, plus a service fee if you use a company to file it. The exact total depends on the state that issued your document, whether it is a federal document such as an FBI background check, and how fast you need it. This guide breaks down state fees, federal fees, our 2026 service pricing and the extras to budget for.
Apostille Service Pricing in 2026
| Service | Our fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| State apostille (first document) | $195, plus the state fee | Depends on the state; same-day available for Oregon, Washington, Texas and Virginia documents |
| Each additional document | $65, plus the government fee | Same order |
| FBI apostille (you already have the FBI report) | $195, plus the $20 federal fee | 5+ weeks |
| Expedited FBI apostille | $390 | About 10 business days |
| FBI fingerprinting plus apostille | from $295 | 5+ weeks |
| Certified translation | $65 per page | Quoted per order |
Full details, including fingerprinting options, are on our pricing page.
State Apostille Fees
Each state sets its own fee. These are the official fees in states we file in regularly:
| State | Fee per apostille | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $10 | OAR 160-100-0040 |
| Virginia | $10 ($5 for additional documents signed by the same official on the same date for the same country) | Secretary of the Commonwealth |
| Washington | $15 (expedite: add $100 per 10 documents) | Washington Secretary of State request form |
| Texas | $15 | Texas Secretary of State FAQ |
| California | $20, plus $6 special handling per official’s signature for in-person requests | California Secretary of State |
For other states, see our state apostille guides. Government fees change, so confirm the current amount before you file on your own.
FBI and Federal Document Costs
Federal documents are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, which charges $20 per document and uses Form DS-4194. Mail-in requests take about five weeks from the day they arrive.
An FBI background check itself costs $18 when you request it directly from the FBI. With our service, an FBI apostille is $195 for regular processing or $390 expedited in about 10 business days. See our FBI background check apostille service.
What Changes the Price
- Number of documents. Each document needs its own apostille and its own government fee.
- Where the documents come from. Documents from several states need separate filings with each state.
- Federal vs state. FBI and other federal documents take longer and cost more.
- Speed. Same-day state service and expedited federal service cost more than standard processing.
- Preparation. Certified copies of vital records, notarization and translations add their own fees.
- Non-Hague countries. Embassy legalization adds embassy fees and steps; see document authentication costs.
- Shipping. Tracked return shipping, especially international shipping, adds cost.
Doing It Yourself vs Using a Service
Filing yourself costs only the government fee and postage. It works well for one simple document from your own state when you have time.
A service costs more but saves time and rework when you have several documents, documents from more than one state, a federal document, a tight deadline, or a translation requirement. A rejected filing usually costs more in delay than the service fee.
Apostille Cost FAQ
How much does an apostille cost?
State government fees are usually $10 to $20 per document, and the U.S. Department of State charges $20. Our service fee starts at $195 for the first document and $65 for each additional document, plus the government fee.
How much does an FBI apostille cost?
With our service, $195 for regular processing (5+ weeks) or $390 expedited (about 10 business days). The FBI check itself costs $18 if you order it directly.
Is it cheaper to get an apostille myself?
Yes, if you only pay the government fee and postage. A service is worth it when the paperwork is complex or time-sensitive.
Why do service fees differ so much between companies?
Companies differ in what they include, such as document review, courier delivery, tracked return shipping and help with rejections. Compare total prices, including government fees.
Get an exact quote
Contact us with your documents, the issuing states and the destination country, and we will give you the total cost before you send anything.
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