State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Illinois
How Illinois residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Illinois state documents handled by the Illinois Secretary of State.
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Illinois — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Illinois residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Illinois state documents go to the Illinois Secretary of State in Springfield.
- State apostille office
- Illinois Secretary of State
- Located in
- Springfield
- Federal court districts
- 3
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or Illinois document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Illinois State Police check | Illinois Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Illinois birth, death or marriage certificate | Illinois Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Illinois | Illinois Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Illinois state court record | Illinois Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
City guides: Chicago
How we serve Illinois
We serve Illinois by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Springfield and every other part of Illinois.
Pricing is flat: $299 per document for Hague countries (10–12 business days) and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization (15–17 business days), government fees included.
Documents for Illinois residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Illinois:
Illinois — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Illinois?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Illinois Secretary of State handles only Illinois state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Illinois state documents?
The Illinois Secretary of State in Springfield.
Which federal courts are in Illinois?
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois; U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
Do I need to visit an office in Illinois?
No. We work with Illinois clients by mail and handle the Washington submission for you.
How much does a federal apostille cost?
$299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees and U.S. shipping included.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.