“How long will my apostille take?” is usually the first question clients ask. The honest answer is: it depends on a few specific factors. Here’s what drives the timeline so you can plan.
What affects apostille turnaround
State vs. federal
State apostilles are often faster than federal authentications through the U.S. Department of State, which can take longer.
Which authority
Each state’s office works at its own pace, and processing times change with their workload.
Hague vs. non-Hague
A single apostille is quicker than full embassy legalization, which adds consulate processing on top.
Shipping
Mail-in service adds transit time each way, which is worth building into your plan.
When you need it fast
If you have a deadline — a visa appointment, a closing date, a court filing abroad — tell us up front. We offer expedited handling on many services and will tell you honestly whether your timeline is achievable before you commit.
Tip: The single biggest cause of delay is a document that isn’t in the right form (for example, a record that needs to be a recent certified copy, or one that needs notarization first). We check this up front so your document doesn’t bounce back.
Get an estimate before you start
When you place an order, we give you a realistic turnaround estimate for your specific document and destination, and keep you updated at each step. We serve clients across the country by mail.
Ready to get started?
Start online from anywhere in the U.S. — any document, any destination country.
Learn more: State vs. federal apostille · Apostille vs. embassy legalization