Answers to common questions about the apostille process in Minnesota.
An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document for international use under the Hague Apostille Convention. It verifies the signature, seal, or stamp on the document so it is recognized by foreign governments.
To get an apostille in Minnesota, submit your document to the Minnesota Secretary of State in St. Paul. The document must bear an original signature from a recognized Minnesota official or notary public. You can submit in person or by mail.
Common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, FBI background checks, corporate documents (articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing), powers of attorney, diplomas, and transcripts.
In-person requests at the Secretary of State office in St. Paul can often be completed the same day. Mail-in requests typically take 5-10 business days, not including mailing time.
The Minnesota Secretary of State charges $5 per apostille. Additional fees may apply for expedited processing, shipping, or if you use a professional apostille service.
No. Federal documents such as FBI background checks, patents, and federal court orders must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., not by the Minnesota Secretary of State.
An apostille is used for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Authentication (or legalization) is required for non-Hague countries and involves a multi-step process through the Secretary of State and the destination country embassy or consulate.
It depends on the document. Certified copies from government agencies generally do not need separate notarization. However, private documents such as powers of attorney or affidavits must be notarized by a Minnesota notary public before an apostille can be issued.
You cannot apostille a plain photocopy. However, you can have a notary public create a notarized copy of the original document, and then that notarized copy can receive an apostille from the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Any country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention will accept a Minnesota apostille. This includes over 120 countries such as Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and many more.