Apostille Illinois — Illinois Apostille Services Guide

Definition: A standardized certificate confirming the authenticity of a document's signature, seal, and the capacity of the signer

Issuing Authority: Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department

Validity: Recognized in all Hague Convention member countries

Scope: Public documents (government-issued) and notarized private documents

Authentication Scope: Only authenticates signatures and seals; does not verify document content

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates must be certified copies issued by the appropriate Illinois county clerk or the Illinois Department of Public Health. Photocopies or unofficial copies cannot be apostilled.

Private documents must first be notarized by an Illinois-registered notary public. The notary verifies the signer's identity, witnesses the signing, and applies their notary seal. The apostille then authenticates the notary's signature and commission. Documents must include a complete notarial certificate (acknowledgment or jurat) to be eligible for apostille.

Authority: Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department

Address: 111 S. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62756

Chicago Office: 501 S. Spring Street, Springfield, IL (mailing address for apostille requests)

Submission Methods: In person or by mail

Request Form: Apostille/Certificate of Authority Request Form

Processing Time: Typically 5-15 business days (standard); expedited options may be available

Fee: Per-document fee set by the Secretary of State (varies; contact for current rate)

County of Notarization Determines Processing: For notarized private documents, the notary must be commissioned in Illinois. The Secretary of State can only authenticate the signatures of notaries registered in Illinois. Documents notarized in other states must be apostilled by that state's Secretary of State.

Since China joined the Hague Convention on November 7, 2023, Illinois documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney) authenticated with an Illinois apostille can be used directly in China without consular legalization. Common scenarios include: household registration (hukou), property transactions, inheritance, marriage registration, and court proceedings.

Illinois documents are commonly apostilled for use in: the UK, Australia, Canada (now a member), South Korea, Japan, and other Hague Convention countries. Common scenarios include: overseas study, overseas employment, immigration applications, international business, and dual nationality applications.

Standard processing: 5-15 business days at the Secretary of State

Expedited processing: May be available for an additional fee; typically 2-5 business days

Mailing time: Additional 3-7 business days if submitting by mail

Overall estimate: Allow 2-4 weeks for the complete process including document preparation, notarization (if needed), submission, and return mailing

Plan ahead and allow sufficient time before your document is needed. Expedited service slots may be limited. ChengShi can help arrange expedited processing when available.

1. Original document: The document to be apostilled (original certified copy for public documents; notarized original for private documents)

2. Completed request form: Illinois Secretary of State apostille request form

3. Self-addressed stamped envelope: For return of your documents (if submitting by mail)

4. Payment: Check or money order payable to "Illinois Secretary of State" (if submitting by mail)

5. Translation (if needed): If the destination country requires translation, prepare it in advance

6. Authorization letter (if using a service): If using ChengShi or another service provider, provide an authorization letter