Introduction
Hey there — welcome! If you’re preparing to use a U.S. document internationally — whether it’s a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or notarized document — you’ve probably come across the term apostille.
And if you’re like most of my clients at Virtual Same Day Marriage, one of your first questions is:
“How much does an apostille cost?”
You might also be wondering about:
👉 Where to find apostille service near me
👉 How apostille authentication works
👉 How long the apostille processing time really takes
Good news — I’m going to walk you through all of it. No confusing legal jargon — just real-world answers from someone who helps couples and families with apostille services every single week.
What Is an Apostille and Why Does It Cost Anything?
An apostille is an official government certification that makes your U.S. documents legally valid abroad — in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
It’s required for things like:
✅ Marriage abroad
✅ Immigration applications
✅ Dual citizenship
✅ International business deals
✅ Overseas adoption
The apostille authentication is performed by your state government or, in some cases, the U.S. Department of State. Naturally, this process comes with certain costs — both in government fees and optional service fees (especially if you want it fast!).
Average Cost of an Apostille
Now, the part you’re really here for — how much does an apostille cost?
1️⃣ Government Fees
State government fees for apostille authentication typically range from $5 to $20 per document — some states charge more (California, for example, is $20/document).
If you need a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State, the fee is generally $20 per document.
2️⃣ Service/Processing Fees
If you hire an apostille service near me (or online), you’ll also pay a service fee for handling the process for you — especially if you want it expedited.
Typical service fees:
✅ Standard processing (2–4 weeks): $75–$150 per document
✅ Expedited processing (1–5 business days): $150–$300 per document
What Affects the Cost of an Apostille?
A few factors can influence how much you’ll pay for apostille authentication:
✅ State vs. federal — federal apostilles sometimes cost more due to shipping & handling
✅ Apostille processing time — faster service costs more
✅ Number of documents — discounts often apply for multiple documents
✅ Certified copies required — you may need to order certified copies first, which adds to the total cost
✅ Shipping — domestic and international shipping fees may apply if using an out-of-state service
Is It Worth Paying for an Apostille Service Near Me?
In my experience? Often, yes.
Sure, you can submit your documents yourself — but here’s what many clients tell me after trying:
❌ Long government lines
❌ Missing paperwork
❌ Multiple rejections
❌ Weeks of waiting
When you use a trusted apostille service near me — like what we offer at Virtual Same Day Marriage — we handle everything for you:
✅ We check your documents first
✅ We submit them the correct way
✅ We keep you updated throughout the process
✅ We often get them back faster than doing it yourself
And that peace of mind? Totally worth the small extra fee.
How Does Apostille Processing Time Impact Cost?
Apostille processing time is one of the biggest drivers of cost.
Standard Processing
✅ Timeline: 2–4 weeks
✅ Lower service fees
Expedited Processing
✅ Timeline: 1–5 business days (depending on state)
✅ Higher service fees — but perfect for urgent travel, immigration deadlines, or legal filings
At Virtual Same Day Marriage, many clients doing immigration or international marriage registration opt for expedited service because their timelines are tight.
How Virtual Same Day Marriage Can Help
We handle all kinds of apostille authentication requests, including:
✅ Marriage certificates
✅ Birth certificates
✅ Death certificates
✅ Notarized documents
✅ Adoption paperwork
✅ Academic records
Here’s what we offer:
✅ Apostille service near me — even if you’re out of state, we can help
✅ Clear, upfront pricing — no surprises
✅ Fast, reliable processing — expedited options available
✅ Personal service — real people, not bots
FAQ Section
1. How much does an apostille cost for a marriage certificate?
You’ll typically pay $20 in government fees, plus $75–$150 in service fees (standard processing) or more for expedited service.
2. How fast can I get an apostille?
Apostille processing time ranges from 1–5 business days (expedited) to 2–4 weeks (standard).
3. How do I find apostille service near me?
You can work with a trusted online service — like Virtual Same Day Marriage — or search for a local provider. We handle apostille authentication nationwide.
4. Why do costs vary so much?
Cost depends on apostille processing time, state vs. federal level, and whether you need rush service.
5. What documents can you apostille?
We handle marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, apostille notarized documents, and more.
