How Long Does It Take to Get an Apostille in the US?

Are you planning to move, study, work, or get married abroad and need to authenticate your U.S. documents? You’re probably wondering - “How long does it take to get an apostille in the U.S.?” or “Is there a faster way to get my apostille processed?”

The honest answer is that it depends on your document. Getting an apostille in the US in 2026 depends on whether your document is federally issued (like an FBI background check or passport record) or state-issued (such as a birth certificate or diploma). Each type follows a different approval channel and timeline. In this blog, we’ll explain how long it takes to get an apostille in the U.S., what affects processing time, and how you can expedite your apostille easily with a trusted US apostille service provider like Globeia.

If your documents are issued by a U.S. federal agency, such as the FBI, U.S. Department of Justice, or Social Security Administration, they must receive a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Federal apostilles are required for documents like:

• FBI background checks
• Passport or immigration records
• Federal tax documents
• Social Security and citizenship letters

Due to the involvement of authorities at the national level, federal apostilles will take longer than a state apostille, generally an estimated 2 to 4 weeks in standard processing time, depending on the agency and office location. If you require faster processing time, using a trusted apostille company, such as Globeia, can help reduce processing time, as well as having less chance of the application being rejected, and without all the delays associated with government processing time.

Submission Method	Processing Time	Total Turnaround
Mail to Sterling, Virginia	2-4 weeks	6–8 weeks, including shipping
In-person drop-off, Washington DC	~7 business days	2–3 weeks, including shipping
Emergency appointment	Same day	Requires proof of urgent travel only

For documents issued by a state in the U.S., such as a birth certificate, marriage license, educational transcript, or notarized affidavit, the apostille will be issued by that state’s Secretary of State office. 

State-level authentication is much faster - typically, 4 to 14 business days (again, this timeframe depends on state workload and type of document) because the documents do not need to be sent for federal authentication.

State	Mail Processing	Walk-in
New York	~5 business days	Same day at select locations
Texas	~25 business days	Same day Mon and Fri
New Jersey	12–20 business days	Next business day expedited
Florida	3–5 business days	Same day
North Carolina	~5 business days	Same day in Raleigh
California	3–5 weeks	Same day in Sacramento and LA

Processing times are set by each state and are subject to change. Verify current timelines at your state's Secretary of State website before submitting.

Typical state-issued documents include:

• Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
• Educational documents (transcripts, diplomas, degrees)
• Business documents (contracts, corporate papers, incorporation certificates)
• Notarized documents (affidavits, powers of attorney, personal statements)

Whether you’re submitting documents for immigration, business, or education abroad, Globeia ensures a smooth and secure apostille process, helping you get your federal or state documents authenticated quickly and correctly without the stress of handling government paperwork.

This is the most common source of confusion and the most common cause of rejected applications. The rule is straightforward: the apostille must be issued by the authority of the jurisdiction that issued the document.

Document	Issued by	Apostille from
FBI background check	Federal (FBI/DOJ)	US Department of State
Birth certificate	State Vital Records	State Secretary of State
University diploma	State institution	State Secretary of State
Passport record	Federal	US Department of State
Marriage certificate	State/County	State Secretary of State
IRS tax document	Federal (IRS)	US Department of State
Naturalization certificate	Federal (USCIS)	US Department of State

Sending a federal document to a state office - or a state document to the US Department of State - will result in your application being returned unprocessed. If you are unsure which category your document falls into, confirm with the issuing agency directly before submitting.

Need an FBI background check apostilled? Globeia's FBI apostille service handles the full process - from obtaining the background check to in-person submission at the Washington DC office.

The time it takes to obtain a federal or state apostille in the United States can vary depending on several factors. Understanding these can help you plan ahead and avoid delays.

1. Type of Document

Federal documents always take longer than state documents because they route through the US Department of State rather than a state Secretary of State's office. Within state documents, notarized documents often require County Clerk certification before apostille submission - an additional step that adds 1 to 3 business days. Documents requiring certified translation add further time before submission begins. 

2. Accuracy of Your Apostille Application

Incomplete or incorrectly filled applications are one of the most common reasons for delays. Ensure that your apostille request form is fully completed and supported with all required documents. Certain documents may also need extra notarization or certification to confirm authenticity, which can extend processing times.

3. Request Volume and Backlogs

Periods of high volume (e.g., the beginning of the academic year or travel seasons) can contribute to processing delays. Similarly, when the apostille office or agency is short-staffed, your request will take longer than expected. Always take future planning into consideration; you'll find out that using an apostille service like Globeia, which has the experience and provides a better situation in the event of the bulk submission of documents and faster turnaround time.

4. Expedited Services

If absolutely necessary, check with your state if they offer expedited apostille processing for an additional fee. This additional procurement can decrease your overall turnaround time to 7  business days, guaranteeing that your intended processing is timely with an apostille for your urgent visa, immigration, or international business application and needs.

5. Destination Country Regulations

Your destination country determines whether an apostille is sufficient or whether additional steps are required. For the 125+ countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille completes the legalization process with no further embassy steps. For non-Hague countries such as the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, authentication and embassy legalization are required on top of the apostille, adding several weeks to the total timeline. Always confirm your destination country's status at hcch.net before starting the process. 

6. Courier and Delivery Time

Even after the apostille is issued, the delivery of original documents, especially for international shipments, can add extra days. Choosing a reliable courier or service provider ensures your documents reach you safely and promptly.

1. Prepare documents correctly from the start

Most delays happen due to small errors such as missing signatures, incorrect notarization, or incomplete paperwork. Carefully review every document before submission to ensure it meets all legal and formatting requirements.

 

2. Understand your state’s specific requirements

Apostille procedures vary widely from state to state. Some require additional certification steps, while others have unique forms or submission methods. Always verify the latest official instructions for the issuing state before proceeding.

 

3. Work with a trusted apostille service provider

Experienced apostille agencies understand the system and can significantly streamline the process. They often know how to navigate requirements efficiently and may offer expedited handling for urgent cases.

 

4. Avoid peak periods and public holidays

Processing times often slow down during holidays, academic seasons, and periods of high demand. Planning your submission during quieter periods can help you avoid unnecessary backlog-related delays.

 

5. Confirm the correct authentication authority

Submitting documents to the wrong office - state versus federal - is a common and costly mistake. Always confirm whether your documents require a state apostille or federal authentication before submission.

 

6. Respond quickly to any follow-up requests

If the issuing authority requests corrections or additional information, respond immediately. Even short delays in communication can extend the overall processing time, especially for mail-in applications.

Getting a US apostille right the first time comes down to knowing your document type, submitting to the correct authority, and having everything complete before it goes in. Federal documents take 2 to 4 weeks at the Department of State. State documents vary by state, from 3 business days to 25. Any error resets your timeline entirely.

Globeia identifies the correct authority for your document, reviews your submission before it goes in, and manages return delivery - federal or state, domestic or international.

[Get Your US Apostille with Globeia Today]