What is an apostille and why would I need one in Indiana?

An apostille is a certificate from the Indiana Secretary of State that makes your documents valid for international use, often required for birth certificates, marriage records, or powers of attorney.

Can I get an Indiana apostille the same day?

Yes — I hand-deliver documents in Indianapolis and provide same-day apostille service, saving you weeks of waiting by mail.

Which documents can be apostilled in Indiana?

Birth, marriage, and death certificates, divorce decrees, powers of attorney, school records, adoption papers, and business documents can all be apostilled.

Can my document be in Spanish or another language?

Yes, the document can be in any language, but the notarial certificate must be in English under Indiana law.

Do I need to notarize my document before getting an apostille?

Some official records don’t need notarization, but others like a power of attorney or diploma must be notarized first by an Indiana notary.

How much does it cost to get an apostille in Indiana?

The Indiana Secretary of State charges $2 per apostille, plus my service fee for notarization (if needed), same-day delivery, and return.

How long does it take to get an apostille in Indiana?

By mail it can take 2–3 weeks, but with my service, you can have your apostille completed the same day.

Can you help if I live outside Indiana but need an Indiana apostille?

Yes — you can ship documents to me, and I’ll hand-deliver them for apostille and return them securely with priority shipping.

What’s the difference between an Indiana apostille and a federal apostille?

Indiana apostilles are for state-issued or Indiana-notarized documents, while federal apostilles come from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents like FBI background checks.

Can I apostille a copy of my document, or does it have to be the original?

Vital records and court documents must be certified originals, but some other documents may use a notarized copy certification.

Do I need a translation for my apostilled document?

The Indiana Secretary of State will apostille the document as-is, but some countries may also require a certified translation.

How do I get an Indiana birth certificate apostilled?

Request a certified copy from the Indiana Department of Health or your county health department, then I can take it for same-day apostille.

Can a Power of Attorney (POA) be apostilled in Indiana?

Yes — as long as it’s notarized correctly by an Indiana notary with an English notarial certificate, it can be apostilled the same day.

The 2025 Complete Guide to Power of Attorney Apostilles in Indiana

Sep 22

Written By Kerrie Smith

(How to Get It Right the First Time and Avoid Rejection)

Introduction: Why Power of Attorney Apostilles Are So Important

A few months ago, I stood at the Indiana Secretary of State’s counter with a line of people behind me, and the clerk gave me a look I’ve seen too many times: another rejected Power of Attorney.

Why? Because the notary block was incomplete, or the witness requirements weren’t met, or someone tried to apostille a simple photocopy.

Here’s the truth: Power of Attorney (POA) documents are among the most commonly rejected apostille requests in Indiana. And that’s heartbreaking, because people usually need them for urgent matters—like caring for family abroad, handling property, or completing immigration cases.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting an Indiana POA apostilled in 2025—without wasted time, mailing delays, or costly re-dos.

What Is a Power of Attorney Apostille?

A Power of Attorney apostille is a certificate attached to your notarized POA that proves the document is authentic for use in another country.

The apostille doesn’t judge the contents of the POA—it only certifies:

The notary’s signature and seal
That the notary was commissioned at the time of signing
That the notarization followed Indiana law

Once attached, the apostille makes the POA valid for use in any Hague Convention country.

Why Power of Attorney Documents Often Require Apostilles

Property Transactions Abroad – Buying, selling, or managing overseas real estate
Family Care – Allowing relatives to act on your behalf abroad
Immigration & Visa Applications – Granting authority to an attorney or representative overseas
Business Matters – Appointing someone to sign contracts or open bank accounts abroad

In short: if you want someone else to act for you internationally, you’ll almost always need an apostilled POA.

Indiana Requirements for a POA to Be Apostilled

Here’s where most people get tripped up: the document must first be notarized correctly in Indiana.

✔ Signed in front of an Indiana notary public
✔ Proper notary certificate (acknowledgment or jurat) attached
✔ ID presented by the signer
✔ Additional witnesses if the POA is durable or healthcare-related

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t assume your out-of-state notary will work. If the document was notarized in Illinois, it must be apostilled in Illinois—not Indiana.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a POA Apostilled in Indiana

Step 1: Draft & Notarize the POA

Use clear language required by your destination country.
Sign in front of a commissioned Indiana notary.
Bring any required witnesses.

Step 2: Submit to the Indiana Secretary of State

In-person: Drop off at SOS in Indianapolis.
By mail: Send your POA + apostille request form + fee.

Step 3: Processing Time

In-person: Same-day if there are less than 5 documents.
Mail: 5–7 business days (plus mailing delays).

Common Mistakes That Get POAs Rejected

❌ Using a POA without notarization
❌ Forgetting required witnesses for durable/healthcare POAs
❌ Submitting photocopies instead of originals
❌ Removing the apostille staple from the POA (voids it instantly)

The Risks of Mailing It Yourself

I’ve seen too many clients mail their POA, wait weeks, and then get everything back with a rejection slip. Meanwhile, their deadlines—closing dates, visa appointments, family emergencies—don’t wait.

That’s why I always recommend professional handling, especially for POAs.

How Signature Move Notary Services Helps

Here’s what I do differently:

✔ Mobile Notary – I’ll notarize your POA at your home, office, or hospital.
✔ Witness Support – I can provide impartial witnesses when required.
✔ Same-Day Apostille – I hand-deliver to the Indiana Secretary of State.
✔ Federal/All-State Processing – For POAs involving multiple jurisdictions.
✔ Personal Guidance – I check everything before submission so there are no surprises.

Real Client Story: The Healthcare POA Emergency

One of my clients needed to grant her sister power of attorney for healthcare decisions abroad. She had already mailed her POA weeks earlier but it came back rejected because it lacked witnesses.

We quickly re-did the document with proper witnesses, notarized it, and I hand-delivered it to the Secretary of State. By the end of the day, she had a valid apostilled POA ready to send overseas.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Risk a POA Delay

If the Indiana SOS is already swamped with apostille requests, you don’t want your POA sitting in the reject pile.

With Signature Move Notary Services, you’ll have:
✔ A correctly notarized and witnessed POA
✔ Same-day apostille service
✔ Peace of mind that your document is valid abroad

📱 Call or text today: (317) 438-3183
🌐 Book online: Schedule Services Today

Signature Move Notary Services — Indiana’s trusted apostille and notary expert for Power of Attorney documents.

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Kerrie Smith