States › Illinois

Apostille in Illinois

Issued by Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department.

Verified against the official source on 2026-11-02
Fee per document$2.00
Processing timeMail: 7–14 business days · In person: usually while you wait
How to applyBy mail · Walk-in www.ilsos.gov ↗

Where is your Illinois document going?

Pick the country to see whether it accepts the apostille or needs consular legalization.

Accepts the U.S. apostille. Translation: depends on the authority. See the process for Mexico →
Valid in Mexico

How to apply

Ways to applyBy mailWalk-in
OfficeIllinois Secretary of State, Index Department
Walk-in addressChicago Office: Index Department, 160 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 100, Chicago, IL 60601 (312-814-8218); Springfield Office: Index Department, 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62723 (217-782-7017); also select DMV+ locations (Chicago Flagship 125 W. Monroe St.; Aurora; Champaign; Lake Zurich; Melrose Park)
Mailing addressIllinois Secretary of State, Index Department, 160 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 100, Chicago, IL 60601
Payment acceptedCheck, Money order
Notarization or prior certificationAll documents must be originals, certified by a government official or notarized by an Illinois Notary Public. Vital records must be certified copies from the county clerk, local registrar or IDPH; divorce decrees from the circuit clerk. Do not notarize documents signed by a Circuit Clerk or Circuit Judge. Transcripts/diplomas: the school records official certifies and signs in the presence of a Notary Public.
Common documentsMarriage licenses, School transcripts, Illinois birth certificates, Powers of attorney, Death certificates, Adoption papers
Fee details$2 for each Apostille or Certificate of Authority; each document requires its own separate certificate. One single check or money order for the total amount, payable to the Illinois Secretary of State.
Processing time (official wording)Mail requests: 7 to 14 business days. In person: in most cases documents are processed while you wait (first-come, first-served).
Phone312-814-8218 (Chicago); 217-782-7017 (Springfield)
EmaileAuthenticationsChicago@ilsos.gov; eAuthenticationsSpringfield@ilsos.gov

Source

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/index/apostilles.html

Editor's note

Verified in a browser on the official ilsos.gov page (the site blocks automated fetching). Include a self-addressed stamped return envelope with mail requests; without prepaid postage documents are returned by first-class mail. Chicago-area locations only process authentications; other Index Department services are Springfield-only.

Change state

See all 51 states →