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.

Kerrie Smith 9/8/25 Kerrie Smith 9/8/25

The 2026 Complete Guide to Indiana Apostilles for Birth Certificates

I recently visited the Indiana Secretary of State’s office—inside that historic State Capitol building you see above—and as I waited in line, the clerk leaned over and whispered, ‘Birth certificates are by far our #1 apostille request.’ That moment stuck with me. So that’s exactly where this guide starts: the stories behind the mountain of requests, and how you don’t have to be lost in that pile.